No man is an island. I mean obviously they aren’t, they’re men. But you can definitely enjoy playing games with your friends on an island thanks to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s a chill game that allows you and your friends to either reside on an island using local multiplayer or allows you to visit your friend’s islands using online features.
Here’s everything you want to know about New Horizons’ multiplayer modes and how to set up multiplayer.
The hangout spot
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Play with others on your island
Use your NookPhone to call other islanders together, make changes to your island, purchase goods, manage your items, and more. You’ll have fun building the island getaway of your dreams.
Multiplayer modes
There are a few different ways to engage in multiplayer activities. However, these options are divided into two modes: Local couch co-op multiplayer and online or local wireless multiplayer. We’ll explain what you can do in either version and how they differ from each other.
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Party Play: Local couch co-op multiplayer
Only one island can be created on a Nintendo Switch. That means that if multiple people want to play from one Nintendo Switch, they’ll all have to share an island. Thing is, only the person who starts the game first will actually be able to make any island progress. This can be frustrating for other players since they’re unable to progress the island development. If you’d rather have it to where everyone has their own islands, then everyone will need their own Switch and their own copy of New Horizons.
Now, let’s get back to local couch co-op: Up to eight players can live on the same island together. The thing is, each player must have a user account on the same Nintendo Switch system in order for this to work. You’ll want to note that you can only create one island resident per user account. However, each resident can create their own home, so everyone can design their house just the way they like.
Despite the game allowing up to eight residents on one island, New Horizons only supports local multiplayer for up to four players at a time, as long as each player has their own controller. One person will be the leader and the remaining players will be followers. This means that everyone follows the leader around, but when the leader stops, everyone can engage in the activities in that area. You can also change who the leader is if one of you wants to do something character specific like go shopping.
Only the leader can access the pocket or enter buildings, which limits what the followers can do. Anything caught or harvested by followers will be stored in the Recycle Box at the Resident Services building. You’ll want to make sure to go and pick those items up at some point when you’re no longer playing together so you can add them to your inventory. It is possible to change who the leader is at any time during party play.
How to set up local couch-co-op multiplayer
Online and local wireless multiplayer
In order to take advantage of online and local wireless multiplayer, everyone who wants to play will need four things: A Nintendo Switch Online subscription, their own Nintendo Switch system, their own copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and they will need to at least be on day two within their own game.
Player limitations
Visiting players have tool restrictions that prevent them from being able to run off with all of your best harvestable items. That way if you happen to invite a troll over, they won’t be able to get away with your rare goods. However, if you have a friend who you trust, you can mark them as a Best Friend in the game. This allows them to use their tools while visiting your island.
Communication and NookLink
If you’re playing multiplayer with a good friend, you’ll likely want to take advantage of NookLink on your real-life smartphone. This is an app that integrates with Nintendo Switch Online in order to let you text chat and video chat with other Animal Crossing: New Horizons players.
That way, even if your good friend is miles away or unable to come over, you can still communicate easily while playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
How to set up online multiplayer
Inviting others to your island
Flying to another player’s island
In order to do this with a specific friend, they must first make it possible for others to visit their island. See instructions above.
How to set up local multiplayer
Inviting others to your island
This is what you want to choose if your friends are physically near you, have their own Switch, and their own copy of New Horizons. Additionally, all players must at least be on day two of their game. Make sure you don’t get too far apart from each other or the connection between the Switch consoles might grow weak.
Flying to another player’s island
In order for you to be able to visit a specific friend’s island, they will have needed to allow for visitors. See instructions above.
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As we learn more about multiplayer mode in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, we’ll be adding it to this guide. Do you have any questions about setting up and getting started? Put them in the comments and we’ll help you out!
The hangout spot
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Play with others on your island
Use your NookPhone to call other islanders together, make changes to your island, purchase goods, manage your items, and more. You’ll have fun building the island getaway of your dreams.