If you’re anything like me, then you’ve spent the weekend agonising over the new Nintendo Switch Animal Crossing: New Horizons Edition console. It looks awesome, and it’s a great way to celebrate the game that’s definitely going to take up hundreds of hours of your life from March 20th, when it releases. So to justify myself purchasing yet another Nintendo Switch, here are five reasons you need to do the same.
1 – Just Look At It
I don’t think I need to persuade anyone to buy this console based on looks. The design is second to none, with a super cute Animal Crossing picture across the Switch’s dock. What I love most about this part alone is how it reflects the specific Animal Crossing game it’s been created for, New Horizons.
But the design gets better. The Joy Cons are an appropriately pastel shade of blue and green, just understated enough to be noticable, but not anywhere near as garish as the Neon blue and red Joy Cons.
Finally, we have the decal across the back of the tablet. I could see myself just holding this console and searching the back for characters or imagery I recognise from throughout the series. Really, the design is enough for me, but there’s so much more.
2 – Animal Crossing: New Horizons
While not top among my priorities for this edition of the Nintendo Switch, a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is of course a close second. This game is going to be the biggest and best Animal Crossing entry yet, and there’s no point in buying a whole new console for it if you can’t get a copy of the game with it too.
In the US and Japan there are some weird offers going around. So far I’ve seen that it’s possible to buy the console without the game, which is fairly standard for certain retailers, and even the Joy Cons can be purchased separately. The one thing I would say to avoid is whatever Japanese retailer is offering the box for this console, with nothing inside of it. I remember when I was younger there were people being scammed on Ebay for an Xbox box with just bricks in it because people didn’t take the time to read the product description. Wherever you are, read the details of what you’re buying, don’t get scammed, and get a copy of this game with the console.
3 – You Only Have A Switch Lite
Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to me, but I can see it applying to a number of people out there. If you only own a Nintendo Switch Lite, you’re missing out on the joy that Joy Cons and a Dock bring. Firstly, you can plug your Switch into a TV and play on a much larger screen. This makes it easier to see everything, and your hands won’t go numb from being held in the air when you should be sleeping.
Joy Cons make it possible to play with others, regardless of the game. The Nintendo Switch Lite is a create product, but it’s sorely lacking when it comes to easy local multiplayer. With this model of Nintendo Switch, you can take the Joy Cons off and instantly have two controllers.
4 – You Don’t Own A Nintendo Switch
I know this might be hard to believe, but some people don’t actually have a Nintendo Switch! If you’re one of those people reading this right now, don’t fret, we aren’t a judgy bunch. The console is easily the best Nintendo handheld ever made. It’s got a touch screen, two controllers, and a plethora of games that you could never hope to play, because you’ll just be playing Animal Crossing.
The Switch is genuinely one of the best consoles to launch in years, and this version allows for both a home console experience, and an on-the-go portable console. I’ve never had such a great time with a console, and can’t recommend it enough.
5 – Your Family Will Love It
Both Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the Nintendo Switch are easy for families to enjoy together. I’ve already spoken about how easy it is to go from no controllers to having two, but Animal Crossing adds more to the dynamic.
Animal Crossing games are built to be enjoyed by a family together. The series’ creator has said this themselves. Their own children would play Animal Crossing after school, building homes and getting on with their simulated lives. When they then got home from work, much later, they would play the same game. This way, everyone gets to play together, but there’s no pressure for everyone to be playing at the same time.
I plan to have my wife playing the game whilst I’m working, meaning that we can both play together separately, but occasionally get together and fight about who is doing better in their fake life.
To Buy Or Not To Buy?
Ultimately, this console is a significant investment. Not only is it a lot of money, but it’s money you’ll feel you’ve wasted if you don’t put the time into playing games on it. You need to justify the spend for yourself, but I will add one thing that might sweeten the deal.
Previous Animal Crossing games have all come with their own limited edition 3DS consoles. These consoles are now worth at least double what they were to buy brand new, in some cases more than triple. If you want to make a sound investment that’s gaming related, I’d say this is it.