{"id":36759,"date":"2025-09-05T13:30:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/the-top-10-games-of-2020-6-animal-crossing-new-horizons\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T13:30:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:30:43","slug":"the-top-10-games-of-2020-6-animal-crossing-new-horizons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/the-top-10-games-of-2020-6-animal-crossing-new-horizons\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 10 Games Of 2020 \u2013 #6 Animal Crossing: New Horizons"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\" <\/p>\n

Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n

Animal Crossing: New Horizons, like previous entries in Nintendo\u2019s popular simulation series, had always been intended to provide a relaxing escape from reality. After all, nothing says \u201cgetaway\u201d like setting up shop on your own private island for all of your fun animal buddies to live on. In an unfortunate and amazing bit of timing, however, New Horizons\u2019 arrival became more vital than ever by launching at the brink of COVID-19 lockdowns, giving a now-confined player base the perfect mental distraction. That\u2019s not to say that serving as a great coping mechanism is the only reason we love New Horizons so much. Global pandemic or not, it\u2019s one of the most charming, entertaining, and engrossing titles of 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Building islands from patches of dirt into your heart\u2019s desire, whether that be sprawling villages or carefully crafted tributes to your favorite fandom, is a blast that\u2019s only improved thanks to the addition of terraforming. Sculpting majestic waterfalls or chiseling that perfect cliffside has been a dream come true for fans, giving them the tools to shape islands into whatever form they want. Besides giving players increased agency and ownership over their islands, terraforming makes it easy to wipe the slate clean and build from scratch. Inviting friends and strangers over to your island and showing off your hard work and creativity ranks among the most rewarding experiences of the year.<\/p>\n

Click image thumbnails to view larger version<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

The new Nook Miles system broadens the game\u2019s appeal by providing simple, tangible goals to rope in more purpose-driven players. Typically mundane actions like picking fruit, chopping wood, or simply saying \u201chi\u201d feel more rewarding when Nook Miles are sprinkled on top, which can be used to buy items or travel to other exotic isles. In a similar vein, crafting provides a more engaging method of obtaining new tools and furniture. Sure, it can be annoying to have a shovel break when you need it most, but materials are largely abundant and mashing the crafting button always feels satisfying.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fun seasonal updates (except for maybe Bunny Day) have made New Horizons the game that keeps on giving, showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Enjoyable as it is to compete in fishing tournaments or take wedding photos of smitten alpacas, it\u2019s still fun to kick back with the normal, daily loop. Designing clothing patterns, unearthing fossils for Blathers\u2019 museum, or playing the Stalk Market all offer a great time. Of course, we\u2019d be remiss not to mention the residents themselves, who remain a joy to hang and shoot the breeze with.<\/p>\n

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a wonderful game on its own merits, but it also became one of 2020\u2019s most important releases. This year has been hard on many of us, and Tom Nook\u2019s wacky island experiment kept a smile on our faces when the world seemed determined to do the opposite. It doesn\u2019t matter if you invest several hours each day or only check in once in a blue moon, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a comforting warm hug and a landmark entry for the series.<\/p>\n

\n

Want to read more about the best games that 2020 had to offer? We’re counting down our Top 10 for the year, so navigate to another entry using the links below!<\/p>\n