Can You Get a Bigger Island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? A Comprehensive Guide
No, you cannot get a bigger island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The island size is fixed and cannot be increased. While you can’t expand the overall dimensions of your island, you can manipulate the environment within those boundaries to create the illusion of a larger, more expansive space. Think of it like an interior designer working within the confines of a room – clever landscaping, strategic use of elevation, and careful placement of furniture can make a smaller space feel much bigger.
Maximizing Your Existing Island Space
While you can’t magically make your island bigger, you can utilize a variety of techniques to make it feel more spacious and interesting. Here’s how:
- Terraforming: The ability to manipulate the terrain is your greatest asset. Create cliffs, waterfalls, and rivers to add verticality and depth to your island. Varying the elevation makes the island feel less flat and more dynamic.
- Landscaping: Thoughtful landscaping can make a huge difference. Utilize winding paths, open fields, and strategically placed trees and flowers to create a sense of spaciousness. Avoid cluttering areas, as this can make them feel smaller.
- River Design: Rivers and ponds add a sense of depth and natural flow to your island. Experiment with different river widths and incorporate waterfalls for visual interest.
- Cliff Construction: Building multiple levels with cliffs not only adds visual appeal but also creates distinct areas on your island, making it feel larger than it is.
- Strategic Placement of Decorations: Use furniture and decorations to define spaces and create pathways. Avoid overcrowding areas with too many items, as this will make them feel cramped. Less is often more!
- Perspective and Illusion: Utilize forced perspective tricks by placing smaller objects further away to create the illusion of distance. This can work particularly well in scenic areas of your island.
- The Power of Pathways: Utilize different path designs. Consider leaving some spaces without paths. This can make your island feel more natural and less restrictive.
- Lighting and Shadows: Experiment with different lighting options, such as street lamps and garden lanterns, to create depth and atmosphere. Shadows can add a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Understanding the Island’s Limitations
It’s important to acknowledge the limitations of island customization. You cannot:
- Increase the Overall Size: The fundamental land area of your island remains constant.
- Expand the Beach: The beach area is fixed and cannot be terraformed. You can only decorate it.
- Have Multiple Islands on One Switch: Each Nintendo Switch console is limited to one island.
- Move Resident Services: The location of Resident Services is fixed and cannot be changed.
While these limitations might seem restrictive, they also encourage creativity and resourcefulness. The challenge lies in working within the established boundaries to create a unique and fulfilling island experience. The Games Learning Society explores such topics through the study of the game design and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Island Size and Customization
How many villagers can you have on your island in Animal Crossing?
The maximum number of villagers you can have living on your island is 10.
Can you kick villagers off your island?
Yes, there are methods to encourage villagers to move out, such as ignoring them or waiting for them to ask to leave. However, the process can be somewhat random.
Why is my island only 2 stars?
Your island’s star rating is dependent on development and scenery points. Having too few villagers can affect your star rating.
- The island’s rating will not exceed 1⭐ if you only have 6 or fewer villagers.
- The island’s rating will not exceed 2⭐ if you only have 7 villagers.
How do you grow your town in Animal Crossing?
Improve your town rating by terraforming, building bridges and inclines, placing fences, decorating with DIY projects, planting flowers, and keeping your island tidy.
How many trees do you need for a 5 star island?
There is a maximum tree limit for a 5-star rating. The maximum amount is about 220. You need at least 190. Bushes and bamboo count as trees.
Can you change the shape of your island?
No, you cannot change the overall shape or size of your island.
How do you get a 5-star island rating?
To achieve a 5-star island rating, you need:
- Eight villagers (or more)
- 665 points in development (or more)
- 450 points in scenery (or more)
What flower do you get for a 5-star island?
The Lily of the Valley flower will begin to grow on your island once you reach a 5-star rating.
What happens when your island reaches 5 stars?
In addition to the Lily of the Valley flowers, you’ll also receive the Golden Watering Can DIY recipe from Isabelle.
What is the island limit in Animal Crossing?
The island limit refers to the maximum number of villagers (10) that can reside on your island, as well as the fixed size of the island itself.
Will I lose my Animal Crossing island if I get a new Switch?
No, you won’t lose your island if you have enabled island backup. You can restore your island data on your new Nintendo Switch.
What is the secret beach in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
The secret beach is a small, hidden area at the back of your island where Redd parks his ship, offering art for sale. You’ll need a ladder to access it.
How do you make a secret beach in Animal Crossing?
You can customize your existing beach by creating custom sand patterns, adding shells, and placing furniture to create a unique, secluded area.
Should I expand my house in Animal Crossing?
Yes, expanding your house is highly recommended as it provides more storage space and allows for greater customization options.
How do you progress fast in Animal Crossing?
Speed up your progress by investing in good tools, focusing on cooking recipes, improving your island rating, and earning resources through Nook Miles.