It’s official: Animal Crossing 2019 is set for Nintendo Switch. Nintendo revealed the next installment in the main series, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, during its E3 2019 Nintendo Direct. Except there’s one problem: it’s actually coming out next year. Whoops.
News broke late Tuesday morning when Nintendo revealed nearly two minutes’ worth of gameplay footage for New Horizons. In the game, players travel to a deserted island and slowly build up a village with their new animal friends. It’s ridiculously wholesome, and the series looks as gorgeous as ever thanks to the Nintendo Switch’s graphical capabilities.
Start a new life with the Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package and enjoy a peaceful existence full of creativity, fun, freedom and charm when #AnimalCrossing: New Horizons for #NintendoSwitch arrives March 20, 2020. pic.twitter.com/4retW0LrSZ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 11, 2019
Fans immediately lost their shit.
— Anthony / アンソニー ☆〜 (´｡• ω •｡`)ノ♡ (@akanenzaka46w) June 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/ETiredPlays/status/1138492069197099008
just animal crossing tings x pic.twitter.com/7bnZkMtOtd
— biscuity boyle (@luvssik) June 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/vzwgod/status/1138488377550999552
— manueL (@mmedi_x) June 11, 2019
But while there was plenty to love in the trailer, the clip ended on a bittersweet note: while the game was announced for a 2019 release last September, it was delayed today to March 20, 2020. Fans will now have to wait another nine months in order to get their hands on the game. And while some are handling the news well, others are struggling to cope.
“Why did they give us so much hope and then just destroy it?” one Redditor bemoaned.
https://twitter.com/thiccjedi/status/1138492203955892226
Animal Crossing fans when they saw that 2020 release date pic.twitter.com/iPHmUZZ1jL
— david (@dozybread) June 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/l_conne/status/1138488535735050240
283 days until we get to play animal crossing: new horizons. 283 days until we can craft. 283 days until we have real paths. 283 days until we can pole vault over rivers. 283 days. pic.twitter.com/OW9nf2avYh
— ♡ char ♡ (@animal___xing) June 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/akidearest/status/1138488344936144896
animal crossing really getting pushed back to march 2020 pic.twitter.com/zXDn5qWght
— pink hair kim lip’s silly rabbit (@jussawhole) June 11, 2019
Don’t forget you still need a Switch to play Animal Crossing if you don’t have one already.
https://twitter.com/_OfficerNasty_/status/1138488342339870721
For other fans, a release date from Nintendo is a pretty promising sign, and they’re happy to celebrate: even if they still have to wait a couple months.
https://twitter.com/Daikonquest/status/1138487878319792128
me casually waiting for Animal Crossing Switch to come out on March 2020: pic.twitter.com/TRUJF1Wfic
— 𝒦𝒶𝒾 🌙 (@kaistrology3) June 11, 2019
the first half of 2020 is jam-packed with games already and the only one that matters is Animal Crossing pic.twitter.com/VfNbE2JWNx
— steimer (@steimer) June 11, 2019
me arriving to the island of Animal Crossing New Horizons pic.twitter.com/qDums7BTvN
— Luxanna Nicole Smith (@Luxannaxoxo) June 11, 2019
All of us after Animal Crossing Switch & Banjo were revealed
— Nothing Gold (@NTVGLD) June 11, 2019
pic.twitter.com/UIj0KnGcaN
Animal Crossing: New Horizons wasn’t the only Nintendo game revealed during E3 2019. Highlights also include Luigi’s Mansion 3 and a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Gaming icons Banjo & Kazooie are also headed to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Nintendo announced today, along with the hero from Dragon Quest.
For more highlights, check out today’s E3 2019 Nintendo Direct.
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