Animal Crossing: New Horizons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Animal Crossing: New Horizons across the outlets.
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Pokemon Pokopia players turn to "broken" Minecraft tactics to make gathering one of the game's rarest materials a breeze: "I mined 1,200 Pokemetal in about 90 minutes"
Players of Pokemon Pokopia have discovered a highly efficient method for gathering rare materials like Pokemetal, drawing inspiration from Minecraft's mining tactics. This technique, popularized by content creator Austin John Plays, involves excavating specific blocks on Dream Islands to yield large quantities of materials in a short time, significantly easing the grind for late-game crafting and customization.
Japanese Charts: Pokémon Pokopia Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down
Pokémon Pokopia remained the top-selling physical game in Japan for the third consecutive week, selling over 114,000 copies. Crimson Desert debuted at second place with over 31,000 units sold. The Switch 2 was the best-selling console, followed by the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.
Tomodachi Life demo has no filter - it's already descended into raunchy chaos
The demo for Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream on Nintendo Switch has revealed a surprising lack of content filters, allowing players to create explicit island names and dialogue. Despite Nintendo's family-friendly image and restrictions on sharing screenshots, the game permits unfiltered user-generated content. This approach contrasts with other Nintendo titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pokémon, where word restrictions are common.
Pokemon Pokopia's hard-hitting maturity is the perfect way to celebrate 30 years of Pokemon
Pokemon Pokopia offers a surprisingly mature and engaging experience, blending life simulation, crafting, and building elements with a post-apocalyptic narrative. The game celebrates Pokemon's 30th anniversary by exploring themes of rebuilding and finding hope in a damaged world, appealing to both long-time fans and new players.
Famitsu sales (3/16/26 – 3/22/26) – Pokemon Pokopia continues domination
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of March 16-22. Pokemon Pokopia continues its strong performance, topping the software charts. The Nintendo Switch 2 remains the dominant hardware platform, followed by the PlayStation 5 and its variants.
Nintendo Alarmo's Latest Update Adds A Wonderful Free Theme
Nintendo has released a new update for its Nintendo Alarmo app, coinciding with the launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The update adds a free Wonder-themed alarm scene featuring Elephant Mario and other elements from the game. Free themes for Animal Crossing and Kirby are also available.
Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo adds support for Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo has received a new update adding support for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Players can access this free update by connecting to the internet and linking their Nintendo Account. This marks the first new theme since October, when Kirby and the Forgotten Land was added.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream's "Welcome Version" demo is available now, and you can transfer your saves to the full game
The "Welcome Version" demo for Nintendo's upcoming life simulation game, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, is now available for download on the eShop. Players can create up to three Miis and transfer their save data to the full game, which releases on April 16th. Completing the demo will also unlock a special hamster costume for use in the full version.
Tokyu Resort Town Tateshina Will Hold an Animal Crossing Event
Tokyu Resorts & Stays will host a physical event based on Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons at its Tateshina resort from April 18 to July 20, 2026. Participants can engage in nature-themed challenges like fishing and fire-making, along with a DIY workshop. Exclusive merchandise will also be available for purchase.
UK Charts: Pokémon Pokopia Continues To Slip, As A Newcomer Grabs The Gold
Crimson Desert debuted at number one on the UK physical charts, pushing Pokémon Pokopia down to sixth place due to stock issues. EA SPORTS FC 26 and Mario Kart World secured second and third respectively, while Resident Evil Requiem fell to fourth.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream preview: our last look at the Nintendo Switch game before launch
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Nintendo Switch doubles down on creativity and player-driven storytelling, building on the series' focus on social interaction using player-created Miis. The sequel introduces enhanced customization options for Miis, including pronoun and dating preference selection, and allows players to customize the island town and incorporate custom drawings. The game aims to provide a relaxing, silly, and fun experience with low-stakes interactions and mini-games.
Pokemon Pokopia once again overtakes Resident Evil Requiem on Metacritic as the best game of 2026, with a score of 90…
Pokemon Pokopia has reclaimed the top spot on Metacritic's best games of 2026 ranking with an average critic score of 90, surpassing Resident Evil Requiem. This score matches Animal Crossing: New Horizons and solidifies Pokopia as the highest-rated Pokemon game ever.
Pokémon Pokopia is the Best Reason to Pick Up a Switch 2 Right Now, So Here's Your Best Options Available - IGN
Pokémon Pokopia is presented as the primary reason to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2, driving significant console sales and online discussion. The article highlights its appeal through personal anecdotes and historical Pokémon game successes, comparing its impact to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (21st March)
Several Nintendo Life staff members share their weekend gaming plans, with Pokopia being a dominant choice on the Nintendo Switch. Other titles mentioned include Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Resident Evil Requiem, Yakuza Kiwami 3, and new PC releases like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II.
Nintendo Remains Tight-Lipped About Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Future
Nintendo remains tight-lipped about future updates for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with vice president Reiko Ninomiya stating there is "nothing to announce" beyond the recent 3.0 update. This update includes features like the Resort Hotel and the return of Resetti. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa mentioned that such content drops aim to keep the existing Nintendo Switch install base engaged.
How Pokopia finally made me a Pokémon fan on Switch 2 - Reader's Feature
A reader's feature discusses how Pokémon Pokopia has converted a long-time skeptic into a fan, praising its blend of Animal Crossing and Minecraft mechanics with intuitive building. Despite some pacing issues and a real-time clock that can feel slow, the game offers a deeply engaging experience that justifies the purchase of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Famitsu software sales (3/9/26 – 3/15/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its weekly Japanese software sales data for the period of March 9th to March 15th. Pokemon Pokopia for the Nintendo Switch 2 leads the charts with over 117,000 units sold. Monster Hunter Stories 3 also saw strong debut sales on both Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5.
Japanese Charts: Ditto Copies Another Win For Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia continues to lead the Japanese physical sales charts for the week of March 9th-15th, selling an additional 117,029 units. New entries include Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection and Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake, which debuted in the top ten across Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. The Nintendo Switch 2 remains the dominant hardware platform in Japan, with PlayStation 5 models also showing strong sales.
Hoppip Is to Pokémon Pokopia What Zipper T. Bunny Is to Animal Crossing, and Fans Want It Gone - IGN
Players of Pokémon Pokopia are expressing frustration with the "More Spores for Hoppip" event, comparing it unfavorably to Animal Crossing's Zipper T. Bunny. The event's central character, Hoppip, occupies valuable space in all Pokémon Centers, preventing other merchants from operating and hindering players' ability to assign Hoppip a habitat until the event concludes on March 24.
Nintendo Download: From the Diamond to Deadzone
Nintendo's latest download update for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 includes new releases like MLB The Show 26, Deadzone: Rogue, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. The update also highlights seasonal in-game events for titles such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley, alongside details on the final week of the My Nintendo Mario Kart World Open Series and new music additions to the Nintendo Music app.
