Many of us have spent the past several months inside with little to no social interaction. We binged watched all of our favorite shows and now find ourselves out of things to do. I recently decided to revisit my love of gaming as a solution. The newest Pokemon DLC had not yet been released, so I looked to branch out to another game. After a ton of internet searching, I came across this game called Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While it seemed to be a children’s game I quickly discovered the world of Animal Crossing for adults.

If you’re interested in a little more social interaction and light fun, keep reading to learn more about Animal Crossing for Adults.

Game Overview

Firstly, in this game, you become a resident of your own deserted island. The initial goal is to beautify the island in order to draw special guests, events, characters, and people to your island. For more detail on specific game play, check out this article. There are two islands in our home – one is mine (on a Ninentendo Switch Lite) and one is for my kids (on a Nintendo Switch). It’s important to note that you will need to purchase an individual or family Nintendo Online membership to interact with other players in the game.

Online Community

The main reason that Animal Crossing IS for adults is because the game is great for playing with others online. There’s a huge Facebook community of various niche groups where you can meet others to play with. I know you may still be trying to understand what you may be doing with other people, so let me give you an idea.

Obtaining and Releasing Characters

There are over 300 characters available in this game. However, you can only have 10 living on your island at a time. Each character has its own personality type and that type interacts in different ways with other types on your island. Having multiple types helps you obtain different items in the game.

When someone agrees to let a character leave their island, the character packs up their home and is “in boxes”. You can visit another player’s island and convince that character to come to yours! You may want an island full of cat villagers, need a “grumpy” type villager, or be on a “dreamy hunt” for Judy. Certainly, playing with others is the easiest way to get your preferred villagers.

Special Characters

Some characters in the game only appear on certain days. They normally have special items that you can buy or that they give to players. Below are, in my opinion, the most event worthy special characters (there are many others).

Meteor Showers & Celeste

Celeste, also lovingly referred to as “the space chicken”, is by far the most popular special character. Her presence naturally causes events to occur. She will visit your island during a meteor shower or when there are shooting stars. Players can make wishes on stars which cause special stars to fall on their island on the following day. They can then use the stars to craft special glowing decor and items. Celeste will normally give out a “DIY” (allows players to learn to build a specific item) as well.

  • Daisy Mae – sells turnips which can be flipped for higher prices on others’ islands
  • Redd – sells art pieces for your museum or for decoration
  • Leif – sells seasonal bushes and flowers + buys weeds a a higher price than the shop
Player Created Events

Players’ creativity in the online community is what really convinced me that Animal Crossing isn’t just for kids. A handful have created beautiful islands that Martha Stewart would take note of (I wonder if she has an island?!). Many have recreated popular venues, landmarks, college campuses, and sections of their island dedicated to other games or movies they enjoy for instance. Some islands were specifically created to host mazes, scavenger hunts, fair games, or “parties” just to attract other players. Most events are free. However, others require tips in the form of in game items and/or in bells (in game currency).

Here are a few types of player events:
  • Catalog Events – Simply picking an item up and putting it back down in the game allows you to purchase it in your island’s store. Colors for these items are island specific. Catalog events have items covering the entire island for you to pick up and put back down. Then, you can go home and find that items you didn’t previously have access to are available in your store.
  • Fair Games – Number or color wheel spins are normally required for these games. You will be able to pick up wrapped “surprise” gifts to open on your own island. These could be rare in game items or even bags of bells!
  • Scavenger Hunts – Players will hide things on their island and give prizes to players who find them all. Many of these games are on themed islands – spooky, Disney themed, etc.
  • Other Events – Customizable options in the game will allow you to do everything from create a memorial service for your dog to host your own birthday party. Your character has access to a variety of outfits to recreate almost any real life event. Usually, players choose to give away items for free at these types of events. Some will combine these events with in game events. This can simply be because they like to host people on their island, or because they charge for entry/hope for “tips” to be left by other players. Here’s a list of events I’ve seen:
    • Birthday Party
    • DJ Event / Party
    • Haunted House
    • Mazes
    • Scavenger Hunts
    • Catalog Event
    • Spin the Wheel / Fair Games
    • Memorial Service
    • Graduation
    • Fashion Show
    • Networking (with use of the voice chat instead of the in game written chat box)

Playing with Family & Friends

I think that this dynamic of the game is so underrated! Via my Facebook groups, I see people reconnecting and building REAL relationships by playing Animal Crossing. Separated or divorced parents spend time with their kids by visiting their island and helping them with their goals. Spouses share an island and recreate places that are special to them, like where they had their first date. Friends have surprise parties where they invite real life friends and family who play to participate. The options for connecting with your loved ones are endless.

Animal Crossing for Adults?

After all of this, you may wonder how much time you really have to play this game. Is it really worth it?

Animal Crossing is played in real time, unless you time travel (look it up!). So, you’re more likely to create specific goals for yourself and just play from time to time after you get through the first week.

Above all, I think it’s a perfect game for adults to pass the time. It’s one of the closest things you can do to simulate normalcy. In conclusion, if you enjoy gaming and have the $60 to spend (one family can share an island, so each person does not have to have their own game), I say go for it!

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