Tips to prepare for Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2.0

An important update Animal Crossing – New Horizons is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2021 — and if you haven’t already returned to your island in anticipation of the launch, now’s the time. With so much new content arriving on our shores, there’s probably some work you’ll want to do before it washes up.

However New Horizons’ popularity initially after launch was unprecedented — and stayed that way for months — people DidSome people eventually leave for other opportunities. For some of us, it’s been more than a year since we’ve last checked in on our islands. It is overgrown by weeds. The flowers are spilling onto the walkways. No one’s thought to pick up the sticks. I have cockroaches at home. But, personally, it’s more than that. In the last few months of my time before signing off, I was a bit chaotic. I tightly packed all my villagers’ houses into a small corner of the island, and turned a fourth of the place into a giant yellow flower field. It’s beautiful, yes. However, do I have the space and time to build a farm where I can grow my own food and make it myself? No.

You may not have an extremely large yellow flower field on your island, but chances are that you’ve used up a lot of your space. With the new update, I’m going to have to renovate — and you might have to consider it, too.

Get to know your island

Image: Nintendo EDP/Nintendo

It is a good idea to get to know your island once again. Look at your map, but also walk your shores and take in the space you’re created. Appreciate the hard work you’ve put into creating your island oasis before you tear that shit to the ground.

(Just … kidding?)

It was an opportunity for me to reflect and think on my future. Though I remembered my villager neighborhood being isolated, it’s actually right in front of the airport dock. That’s bad. It’s closed off on a small piece of land with the Resident Services building, before rogue flowers spawning from the massive field start overtaking portions of land. This is the location of the museum that will become my village’s social hub. Though it’s impeccably landscaped over there with its stunning courtyard — save the weeds — it’s very far back from all the action from the Resident Services plaza. Simply put, it’s a pain in the ass to reach.

The main feature of my island lies in this: I managed, without realizing it, to fit all of my buildings onto one side of the island. With the exception of my island home and a huge yellow flower field, the rest is basically empty. At first, I thought that flattening my island would be the best way to go and could work on it from there. However, after doing a walkthrough, it became clear that there was plenty of space for me to concentrate on. I can complete the island’s rework slowly and not in a mad dash.

You might only have one plot of land that you wish to develop into a farming area, or an island with new foods. No matter what problem you have, take note and make a plan.

Create a plan, and then put it in action

Make a map of your island, whether that’s on paper or using a digital tool like Happy Island Designer. (I prefer the digital version, since it’s so easy to tweak.) These maps can be used to create both your existing and dream islands, as well as to map out how you want to proceed.

It’s easy to make the steps, or difficult depending on what you want. Though there is a large portion of the community renovating their entire islands, I think it’s more likely that people will be clearing space for farms. Moving a couple of homes might be necessary for some. Others might have to take down trees or pull up weeds.

You can make a clear area. CouldLeave the land undeveloped until then. But, if you’re a planner like me, you’ll probably want to start getting the layout right. For garden rows you could use your own designs, such as for pumpkins. A fence or signs can be added to enhance the appearance. If that’s the case, you’ll just have to tweak some things before jumping right into your farm on Nov. 5. You don’t have to wait: This log fence is perfect for fencing off your gardens.

This is how I refer to it:

All plots are ready and waiting for you!

A second thing that could be done is to take down decorations from other holidays. What was the last Bunny Day you were a part of? That’s it! Put up seasonal decorations and pumpkins to celebrate autumn.

If you’re flattening your island to the ground, godspeed. I’m suffering in the dullness of pulling up my field of yellow flowers.

Clear your dock

One easy way to spruce up your island is to clear your dock for Kapp’n. The dude’s making his way on Nov. 5, and he might enjoy a cozy little spot of his own.

Stock up on Nook Miles, and other materials

Look: Chances are that you don’t have a shortage of Nook Miles. But if you do, you’re going to want to start stocking up.

Nook Miles have always been useful, but there are a bunch of extremely cool furniture items — like carnival stuff — added to the Nook Miles catalog. But more importantly, Kapp’n’s boat tours will cost 1,000 Nook Miles each round. As a new feature, it’s something you’ll want to explore a lot. Don’t let your Nook Miles stop you.

You’ll also need to use Nook Miles to buy the DIY Recipes+ stuff to get cooking. What I’m saying is, Nook Miles are typically flowing, but you want to make sure you’ve got a lot. There are a lot of ways to get Nook Miles, but the easiest is by hitting the milestones on your rewards card — stuff like placing fences, amassing fruit trees, and catching fish all award Nook Miles.

While you’re at it, make sure to gather some extra materials so you’re able to craft the new DIY items in-game. It will also help you earn a lot of Nook Miles by using your tools.