From showing how players have absolute control over their island to highlighting the intricate changes to the franchise’s tried and tested set of system, today’sAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsNintendo Directrevealed a lot of new details about the highly-anticipated sequel. The game appears to be both honoring what fans love most aboutAnimal Crossingwhile also adding a host of new features to make it feel fresh and new. One of the latter just so happens to be how the game handles Amiibos and Amiibo cards.
Of course, since the release ofNew Leaf,Animal Crossinghasn’t exactly been a stranger to using Nintendo’s popular toys-to-life platform, however,New Horizonslooks to add a brand new feature alongside the already established Amiibo system. InNew Leaf, when a player used an Amiibo, the character they selected would be sent to the campsite where the player could interact with them by going into their temporary home.
RELATED:Animal Crossing: New Horizons Official Guide Confirms Returning Feature
InNew Horizons,Amiibos can be used in the same way. The player simply goes to the town hall, touches their figure or card to the joystick, then visits their local campsite where their selected friend will be there waiting for them. However, the game also features a new mode where players can visit a special island called Photopia. Here, they can use their Amiibo characters to stage elaborate photoshoots and take fun pictures. Unfortunately, not all the game’s Amiibos will be available at launch, with the gameplay footage showingK.K Slider- one of the franchise’s most popular recurring characters - will be implemented at a later date.
Alongside showing off how the game’s Amiibos work, today’s Nintendo Direct announced thatfree seasonal post-launch updates, a host of exciting multiplayer options, and new environment sculpting tools will all be present inNew Horizons.As is often the case for Nintendo’s recent Switch sequels, it looks to be the definitiveAnimal Crossingexperience, featuring a long list of new additions that fans have been begging for sinceNew Leaf.
With it being Nintendo’s first big release of the year, it’s sure to satisfy fans who have been craving a deep and fulfillingSwitch exclusiveto sink their teeth into. With the company’s slate seeming pretty clear afterAnimal Crossing,it’s evident Nintendo is going to have a lot to show when it launches its next mainline Direct. Until then, fans are no doubt more excited than ever to finally get their hands onNew Horizons.
Animal Crossing: New Horizonswill be available on March 20 for the Nintendo Switch.
MORE:DOOM and Animal Crossing Fans Share Wholesome Memes on Reddit
