Animal Crossing: New Horizons is Officially Five!

Five years ago, we packed our virtual bags, boarded Dodo Airlines, and set off on a journey that would change our lives. On March 20, 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrived at the perfect moment, offering us an escape when we needed it most. What was supposed to be a simple island getaway became a lifeline, a creative canvas, and a digital home filled with villagers who somehow felt like family.

It’s impossible to talk about New Horizons without acknowledging the time in which it launched. The world was in the early days of a global pandemic, and for many of us, isolation was a new and overwhelming reality. But in those uncertain times, our islands became sanctuaries. Whether we were fishing by the shore, decorating our dream homes, or just listening to the soundtrack, Animal Crossing provided comfort, connection, and a sense of normalcy when the world outside felt anything but. It gave us something to look forward to, a reason to check in daily, and a way to stay close to loved ones, even when we were far apart. For some, Animal Crossing was the only way to feel connected to others, with in-game gatherings replacing real-life meetups and island visits becoming the highlight of the week.

Five years. That’s five years of terraforming, of K.K. Slider concerts, of Isabelle's dull announcements. It’s five years of Sunday morning turnip market anxiety, of balloon hunting, of seasonal events that made every holiday feel just a little more special. And let’s not forget the absolute chaos of Bunny Day 2020, when Zipper T. Bunny flooded our islands with so many eggs that fishing, chopping wood, and even breathing seemed to result in yet another unwanted egg. Or how New Horizons even became a part of the political landscape, with Joe Biden launching his own in-game island to promote his presidential campaign. It was a time when the lines between reality and our digital islands blurred in the most unexpected and hilarious ways.

For so many of us, New Horizons was more than a game; it was a refuge. It gave us routine when the world felt uncertain, a creative outlet when we needed one most, and a reason to check in every day, not just for the in-game rewards, but because our islands felt like home. Even now, five years later, many of us still find comfort in hearing the soft rustle of trees, the gentle lapping of waves, and the familiar tunes of our favorite hourly music tracks.

But perhaps the greatest gift of New Horizons wasn’t just the game itself but the community it built. From artists sharing custom designs to dream address tours, from turnip stock market chaos to heartwarming island meetups, Animal Crossing proved that even in a world of screens, connection is real. The love and creativity that bloomed in those early months have continued to shape the game, making it more than just another Switch game, it’s a shared experience, a cultural touchstone, and a reminder that sometimes, the simplest joys are the ones that stay with us the longest.

Now, as we celebrate five years of New Horizons, we can’t help but feel like we’re standing on the precipice of something new. With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon (pun intended), it’s only natural to wonder if a new Animal Crossing game is quietly in the works. If history tells us anything, it’s that Nintendo won’t leave us stranded for too long. Whenever the next chapter arrives, we’ll be ready to pack our bags once again.

So here’s to five years of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. To the villagers who made us laugh, the islands we painstakingly designed, and the countless moments of peace, joy, and nostalgia this game has given us. And to all of us who picked up our nets, shovels, and watering cans, thank you for making this journey so special.

Happy five years, New Horizons. We’ll always have our islands, and we’ll always have each other.