New Horizons for beloved Nintendo franchise

Jacob Leo Marino, Gaming News Writer

Source: Nintendo

With the coming of the new decade comes a new round of potential game releases, and among the chorus is Nintendo’s newest addition to the Animal Crossing franchise, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

For those who have never played, Animal Crossing is a social simulation game that allows you, a resident of a village, to interact with your environment and perform various activities, such as fishing, crafting, and bug-catching. “New Horizons” is set on a deserted island which you come to inhabit alongside many other villagers. Tom Nook, shop owner and real estate broker, acquired the island in a landmark real estate deal, and now offers you an extended vacation spot with the “Deserted Island Getaway Package.”

“I’m very excited. My sister and I already preordered the game,” senior Katie Fitzgerald said.

She’s been playing since the days of “Wild World,” and has fond memories spending time with fellow villagers on her custom bedazzled DS Lite. Nintendo hasn’t embraced preorder bonuses in the past, but changes are on the horizon with Best Buy offering a “Tom Nook Phone & Tech Badge,” and rumors of an exclusive Animal Crossing journal and 2020 calendar from Target.

While the last two Animal Crossing games have been playable on various versions of the Nintendo DS & 3DS, this game will be playable solely on the Nintendo Switch. If the $300 price tag for a traditional Switch seems high to some looking to purchase the console in anticipation of the game, Nintendo also offers a cheaper alternative, the Switch Lite, a handheld based alternative starting around $200.

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is set to release March 20.