Next week marks the one year anniversary of the release of the latest game in the Animal Crossing franchise, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game brought many people entertainment and joy during the first weeks of lockdown due to COVID-19 and a year later, the developers are still releasing new content that has fans looking forward to the future of this game. Recently, it was announced that two new collaborations, along with other in-game content updates, will occur throughout the month of March, bringing new content for players to enjoy.
Several new holidays added
In addition to special collaboration items coming soon, the developers for Animal Crossing: New Horizons have added several new holiday-themed items into the game. The items can be purchased using in-game currency through Nook Shopping, the game’s shopping app. The first holiday added is celebrating Hinamatsuri, otherwise known as the Doll Festival, a special day in Japan that celebrates children and prays for lifelong health and happiness. The in-game items released for this holiday feature a display of dolls dressed in ceremonial garb, as well as a blossom lantern. Another holiday-themed item offered is a pie to celebrate Pi Day, and soon after, there will be Shamrock Day items to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. While none of these holidays are celebrated with in-game events like New Year’s Eve and Halloween, it still gives players fun items to decorate and celebrate on their own if they choose to.
Super Mario Bros items
To celebrate the Super Mario Bros franchise’s 35th anniversary, Animal Crossing: New Horizons will have a selection of Super Mario Bros themed items for players to purchase with in-game currency. The Super Mario Bros themed free update was installed on Feb. 25 and players could begin receiving the items beginning March 1. In previous Animal Crossing games, Super Mario Bros themed items could be obtained through special Nintendo events or by random chance. However, in Animal Crossing: New Horizons all of the items are available to purchase with the in-game currency. The items feature wearable outfits for classic characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Wario, as well as a number of different environmental objects, such as mushroom platforms, coins and interactive pipes that players can use to teleport around their island.
Sanrio x Animal Crossing amiibo cards
Nintendo announced a special collaboration between the Animal Crossing franchise and the Sanrio Company, a Japanese company that manages pop culture franchises such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars and more. The collaboration will feature six Nintendo official amiibo cards in each pack, representing a different popular Sanrio franchise. Players can scan the cards on their Nintendo Switch console and bring a Sanrio-themed villager to their island, as well as receiving themed items from that franchise. Many players are excited for this update, as Sanrio items have been in previous games and the old amiibo cards are selling on resale sites for upwards of $70 for a pack of two. The amiibo cards will be sold exclusively through Target and are available in the U.S. beginning March 26, but pre-orders in Canada and Australia have already sold out.
