Animal Crossing: New Horizons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Animal Crossing: New Horizons across the outlets.
Latest coverage
UK software sales chart for the week ending July 4, 2026 – Rhythm Heaven Groove debuts in the top 5, Star Fox still going strong
The latest UK software sales chart for the week ending July 4, 2026, shows Rhythm Heaven Groove debuting at number 5 and Star Fox holding strong at number 4. EA SPORTS FC 26 leads the chart, with a variety of other titles from Nintendo, Capcom, and Electronic Arts filling out the top 20.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – July 5, 2026 – Star Fox leads again
The Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of July 5, 2026, show Star Fox leading for the second consecutive week. Cyberpunk 2077 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are also performing well due to ongoing sales. Moonlight Peaks is making a strong debut, ranking sixth overall and first on the download-only list.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – July 4, 2026 – Rhythm Heaven Groove on top
Rhythm Heaven Groove has topped the Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of July 4, 2026, overtaking Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Moonlight Peaks also debuted on the charts following pre-load availability. The article lists the top 30 games overall and the top 30 download-only titles.
Nintendo reveals Japan’s best-selling digital games for June 2026
Nintendo has released the top-selling digital games for June 2026 on the Japanese Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch eShops. Star Fox led the charts for the Nintendo Switch 2, while Powerful Pro Baseball topped the list for the standard Nintendo Switch. The data includes a variety of new releases and popular franchises.
Famitsu software sales (6/22/26 – 6/28/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese software sales data for the week of June 22-28, 2026. Star Fox debuted at number one on the Nintendo Switch 2, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream continues to perform well on the standard Nintendo Switch. The data includes sales figures for both new releases and ongoing popular titles across multiple platforms.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Nintendo Download: Play It By Ear in Rhythm Heaven Groove – Available Today!
Nintendo has announced its latest download offerings for the Nintendo Switch, featuring the rhythm game Rhythm Heaven Groove and Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains. Pre-orders are now open for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, set to launch on August 11. The update also highlights ongoing summer sales on the Nintendo eShop and promotions for Nintendo Switch Online memberships.
Games Done Quick Announces Flame Fatales 2026 Schedule
Games Done Quick's Frame Fatales community has announced the schedule for its summer speedrunning event, Flame Fatales 2026, which will benefit the Malala Fund. The event, running from September 13-19, will feature speedruns of games including Mass Effect 3, Slay the Spire II, and Control, with a special VR run of Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot on Meta Quest 3. Frame Fatales has raised over $1 million for charity since 2019.
Hey Animal Crossing fans - this is your friendly reminder that the Sanrio amiibo cards are back in stock
The Sanrio amiibo cards for Animal Crossing are back in stock in the UK at Nintendo's official store for their original price of £4.99. These cards allow players to invite Sanrio characters to their island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and purchase exclusive themed items. The article also provides instructions on how to use the cards and notes their compatibility with the Nintendo Switch.
Amber Isle Switch Review - A Chaotic Cozy Sim with Broken Performance | Invision Game Community
Amber Isle is a cozy shopkeeping simulation game with a charming prehistoric theme and deep character customization, but its Nintendo Switch port suffers from significant performance issues. The game offers a delightful experience with engaging writing and world design, however, frequent frame rate drops, object pop-in, and stability problems detract from the intended relaxing atmosphere. While the PC version may offer a smoother experience, the Switch version is difficult to recommend in its current state.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise added to Nintendo Music
Nintendo has added 43 minutes of music from the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC, Happy Home Paradise, to its Nintendo Music app. The service, available to Nintendo Switch Online members, continues to expand its library of game soundtracks.
Famitsu software sales (6/15/26 – 6/21/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its weekly Japanese software sales data for the period of June 15-21, 2026. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Nintendo Switch topped the charts with 34,957 units sold. The list includes sales figures for various titles across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5.
Morning Previews
A Plague Tale Legacy is shifting from its stealth roots to a more action-oriented, Tomb Raider-like experience. Monster Fantasy blends the life simulation elements of Animal Crossing with the monster-collecting and combat of Monster Hunter.
Ubisoft Cancels Animal Crossing Rival | Two Average Gamers
Ubisoft has canceled a life-simulation game that was inspired by Animal Crossing, without providing an official explanation. The author argues that this strategic cancellation, driven by a focus on high-ROI franchises over innovation, reflects a broader risk-averse trend in the industry that should be concerning.
UK Charts: The Adventures Of Elliot Makes An Impressive Debut, But Can't Trouble The Podium
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales debuted at sixth place in the UK physical game charts, with the majority of sales on Nintendo Switch. EA Sports UFC 6 and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream also saw strong debuts, while EA SPORTS FC 26 and 007 First Light held the top three positions.
UK software sales chart for the week ending June 20, 2026 – The Adventures of Elliot debuts, Tomodachi Life back in the top 5
The latest UK software sales chart for the week ending June 20, 2026, shows The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales debuting at #6. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream climbed to #3, while EA Sports FC 26 remained at #2. The chart includes sales data for numerous titles across various publishers.
Nintendo reveals Japan’s best-selling digital games for May 2026
Nintendo has released the best-selling digital games for May 2026 on the Japanese Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch eShops. Pokemon Pokopia topped the charts for Switch 2, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream led sales on the original Switch. The data includes a variety of titles, with several Final Fantasy games appearing on the Switch 2 list.
The two best years in video game history were both in the 2010s - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that 2011 and 2013 were the best years in video game history, citing a high volume of quality releases and industry-shifting console launches. The article details numerous significant titles from both years, including The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Skyrim, The Last of Us, and Grand Theft Auto 5, alongside the debut of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – June 20, 2026 – top 10 is looking very familiar
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of June 20, 2026, show a remarkably consistent top ten, with Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the number one spot. All positions within the top ten remained unchanged from the previous week, indicating strong sustained popularity for established titles.
Ranking and rating every year of Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
This analysis ranks and rates each year of the Nintendo Switch's lifespan, from its launch in 2017 through projected releases in 2025 and 2026. It discusses major game releases for each year, highlighting standout titles and periods of lower output, while also considering the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
