Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulation game on Nintendo Switch that lets you create and customize your own tropical island. If you're new to the game, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are 20+ tips to help you get your island adventure off to a great start , plus a beginner's guide!
Don't have the patience to read all the tips? Here's a video!
Make money in no time:
Tip #1: The secret to getting off to a good start: pick some weeds
At the beginning of the game, or when you're exploring your first mystery islands, it can be profitable to collect everything you can and sell it . Weeds, in particular, can sell for up to 150 Bells for 15 weeds , which can be a nice sum early on. Similarly, fruit that's different from what grows on your island can sell for up to 500 Bells each .
Tip #2: Grow money with a money tree
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons , you can find bags of Bells by digging in certain areas of your island. Instead of simply collecting these bags, you can replant them in the same spot to grow a tree that will produce three bags of Bells a few days later. This trick can be especially useful at the beginning of the game when you need Bells to upgrade your island and buy new items .
Tip #3: Buy low and sell high with turnips
Every Sunday, you can buy turnips at a low price from Daisy Mae . If you buy them when they're at their lowest (around 10 Bells), you can resell them later when the price reaches 600 Bells for a nice profit. To find out the best time to resell your turnips, feel free to ask at Tom Nook's shop every day.
Tip #4: Fish and hunt insects to sell them at a good price
Fishing and bug catching can be good ways to earn money in Animal Crossing: New Horizons . You can catch different species of fish and shrimp and sell them for a good price, or you can hunt different species of bugs and sell those as well. It can be a fun and profitable activity at the same time.
Capturing the tarantula, the most profitable insect
The tarantula is one of the most profitable insects to catch in Animal Crossing: New Horizons . It sells for a hefty 8,000 Bells at Tom Nook's shop, making it a prime target for players looking to increase their wealth. While these insects can be tricky to catch, they are well worth the effort due to their market value.
Tip #5: Maximize your profits by selling during the day
Nook's Cranny is a great way to make money in Animal Crossing: New Horizons , but it's important to know when to sell your items to get the best price. If you drop items off for sale in the drop box overnight, they'll be bought back at 20% less. To avoid losing money, be sure to sell your items during the day, directly at Nook's Cranny.
Tip #6: Plant rare fruits and sell them at a good price
Rare fruits can be very valuable in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and you can make a good profit by selling them for a good price. If you have rare fruits in your inventory, you can sell them at Nook Shopping or to the animals on your island to earn money. You can also plant rare fruit seeds to produce even more and increase your income.
Optimize your time:
Tip #7: Use time skipping to speed up your island's development
Time skipping is a tool that allows you to quickly jump to a specific point in the future. This can be useful if you want to speed up your island's development or if you want to wait for a special event. To use time skipping, simply change the time on your console .
Tip #8: Save your shovel strokes by hitting the rocks
Hitting rocks with a shovel is a useful way to obtain valuable resources, but it can quickly become tedious if you waste too many shovel strikes due to recoil. To avoid this, dig a line of three holes two spaces behind a rock, then position yourself in the gap between the rock and the holes. By hitting the rock from this position, you should be able to hit it without wasting any shovel strikes .
Tip #9: Plan your activities according to the events that take place each day
There's always something to do each day in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, whether it's special events, visits from friends, or simply daily tasks. To make the most of your time, it's recommended to plan your activities around the events happening each day. This will ensure you don't miss anything and can fully enjoy your time in the game .
Manage your inventory efficiently:
Tip #10: Increase your inventory size
To have enough space to store all your finds as you progress through the game, it is recommended to regularly expand your inventory by purchasing the " Organizing Skills " and " Pocket Guide " upgrades with Nook Miles.
Tip #11: Use Tom Nook's storage to store your unused items
Tom Nook's Storage is a handy tool for storing items you're not currently using. You can access storage by talking to Tom Nook or by using the storage option in your inventory . You can also use the storage option to remove items from your inventory if you need more space.
Tip #12: Unlock new storage houses to have more space
By paying off your debt to Tom Nook, you can unlock new storage houses that will give you access to even more storage space. This can be very useful if you have a lot of items and need more room to store them.
Tip #13: Use trades with your friends to exchange items you don't use for those you need
Trading with your friends can be a convenient way to get the items you need without spending any money. If you have items you don't use, you can trade them with your friends for items you do need. This can help you optimize your inventory and ensure you only have items you actually use.
Improve your island
Tip #14: Buy new land to expand your island
You can buy new land to expand your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons . This gives you more space to build and decorate your island, and also allows you to welcome new animals to your island.
Tip #15: Use terraforming to customize your island however you like
Terraforming allows you to customize your island however you like by digging or filling holes, creating paths, and changing the terrain. You can use terraforming to create hills , lakes, or any other landscape feature you desire. This allows you to give your island the look you want and make it even more unique.
Tip #16: Plant trees and flowers to improve the aesthetics of your island
Trees and flowers are a great way to improve the appearance of your island. You can plant different species of trees and flowers to create a colorful and attractive landscape.
Tip #17: Trade with your friends to obtain new species of trees and flowers
Trading with your friends can be a convenient way to get new species of trees and flowers for your island . If you have species you don't use, you can trade them with your friends for the ones you need. This can help you diversify your island's plants and create an even more attractive landscape.
Tip #18: Unlock new island building and customization options by developing your relationship with Tom Nook and the Nook brothers
Tom Nook and the Nook brothers are the main characters in Animal Crossing: New Horizons , and they are responsible for the expansion and development of your island. By developing your relationship with them, you will unlock new building and customization options for your island, such as new houses and decorations.
Customize your character
Tip #19: Use QR codes to import clothing designs created by other players
Animal Crossing: New Horizons features a clothing design tool that lets you create your own designs or import designs created by other players. You can use free QR codes to import clothing designs created by other players and use them to customize your character's appearance. This gives you even more choices when it comes to clothing and accessories.
Tip #20: Create your own clothing designs using the design creation tool
The clothing design tool in Animal Crossing: New Horizons lets you create your own clothing designs using a wide range of colors and patterns. You can use the design tool to create unique and original clothing that you won't find anywhere else. You can also use the design tool to create accessories such as hats, bags, and sunglasses.
Tips for beginners taking their first steps in the game!
Getting started in Animal Crossing: New Horizons can be a little confusing, especially if it's your first time in the world of life simulation games. To help you get off to a good start, here are a few tips:
Choose your starting card wisely
When you first start the game, you'll have a choice of four randomly generated maps. Take your time to look at each one carefully and choose the one that suits you best. Make sure it has at least one large open area by the sea and surrounded by a river, as you'll need this space to develop your island. If you don't like the look of the map once you've started playing, you can restart the game and choose another one before the tutorial . Don't forget to name your island, but be aware that you won't be able to change it later.
Make sure the tents are spaced apart
When you arrive on your island, you'll be given a tent and some basic supplies. You'll need to find a suitable spot for it, making sure there's enough room to expand. You'll also need to find plots of land for your neighbors, the museum, Nook's Cranny, and the visitor center. Think about how much space you'll need once these buildings are finished and make sure you leave enough room between them.
The location of your island
When you start placing your tents and building structures , take the time to carefully consider their placement. Think about your island's natural environment and how you want your island to look. You can place your tents and buildings in the treetops, which allows you to avoid natural clearings and better integrate your structures into the environment.
Be careful with your resources
When you begin exploring your island , you'll notice you can gather various resources, such as wood, stone, and leaves. These resources are crucial for building your house and other structures, as well as crafting new items and upgrading your equipment . Be sure not to waste your resources and use them efficiently. You can also trade resources with your neighbors and purchase new ones at Nook's Cranny .
Do business
In addition to gathering and buying resources, you can also trade with your neighbors and with characters who visit your island. You can exchange items with them or sell them what you've gathered. This will allow you to develop your island faster and unlock new building options .
Save money
While you can buy new items and upgrades at Nook's Cranny, it can be advantageous to save money and spend it strategically. You can save money by gathering and selling your own resources , trading with your neighbors, and participating in special events.
Personalize your home and garden
Your house and garden are your personal spaces in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and you can customize them to your liking. Buy new furniture, change the decor, and arrange your garden however you want. You can also create your own museum by collecting fossils , insects, and other interesting items and displaying them there.
Explore your island and discover new things
One of the most entertaining aspects of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is discovering new things on your island. Explore your island and uncover all its secrets. You'll find new plants and animals to harvest, hidden treasures, and special events that take place at certain times of the year. Don't miss the events happening on other players' islands , which you can visit using Nook's Boat Service.
Daily tasks
Each day, you have tasks to complete on your island, such as gathering resources, cleaning up trash, and responding to your neighbors' requests. Be sure to complete these tasks daily to unlock new options and improve your island.
The seasons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that follows the real-world calendar , meaning the seasons change in the game at the same time as they change in real life. Each season brings new plants, animals, events, and other things to discover. Be sure to make the most of each season and don't miss any of the events that take place during it.
Special events
From time to time, special events will take place in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. These events may bring new activities, items, and characters to discover. Keep an eye out for these events and don't miss the opportunity to participate and unlock new rewards.
Nook's Improvements
Throughout your adventure, you can improve your island and your house with upgrades offered by Nook. These upgrades will give you access to new building options and unlock new possibilities for your island. Don't miss the chance to discover and use them.
The inventory
Your inventory in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is limited, so it's important to manage it wisely. Try not to accumulate too many unnecessary items and only keep those you'll truly need. You can sell or trade unwanted items with your neighbors or at Nook's Cranny . You can also use your house's storage space to store excess items.
Nook's Cranny store opening hours
Nook 's Cranny is open from 8 AM to 10 PM every day, but there are certain times when you can find items on sale that aren't available at other times. Pay attention to the store hours so you don't miss out on these special items.
Fishing and collecting
If you enjoy catching insects and fish, it's important to pay attention to the timing. Some species of insects and fish are only available during certain hours of the day or night , so it's important to know when to expect them. You can also use natural elements, such as seashells and starfish, to create bait and catch new species of fish.
Plants and animals
If you want to create a flower garden or raise animals, it's important to pay attention to breeding times. Some plants only bloom during certain hours of the day, and some animals only lay eggs during certain hours. Pay attention to these times to maximize your chances of successfully breeding your plants and animals.
How to spend the night
If you want to enjoy everything your island has to offer, getting enough sleep is important. You can choose to sleep in your bed or lie down on the sofa in your living room. If you choose to sleep in your bed, you can set your wake-up time. Pay attention to your sleep schedule to ensure you don't miss any events or special occasions.
Pay attention to your style
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you can customize your character's appearance by purchasing new clothes and accessories. You can buy new clothes at Nook's Cranny or trade them with your neighbors. Take the time to create a style that suits you and reflects your personality.
Have fun !
The most important thing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is to have fun playing. Feel free to explore your island and discover new things, customize your character and your house , and spend time with your neighbors. Enjoy every moment of your adventure in this life simulation world.
By following these tips, you should be able to start your Animal Crossing: New Horizons adventure in the best possible way and enjoy everything this game has to offer. Don't forget to have fun and take the time to discover all the secrets of your island.
