How to Start a New Island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons: A Comprehensive Guide

Starting a new island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a significant decision for any player. It means saying goodbye to your current progress and embarking on a fresh journey. Unlike some games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons ties your island save data directly to your Nintendo Switch system, meaning creating a new island isn’t as simple as starting a new game. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to start a new island and what that entails.

To begin anew, you must delete your existing island’s save data. This is achieved through the Nintendo Switch System Settings. Navigate to Data Management, then select Delete Save Data. From there, find and select Animal Crossing: New Horizons and confirm your decision to delete the save file. Once done, start the game and you will be greeted by the initial setup as if you are playing for the first time. This process is irreversible, so ensure you’re certain before proceeding.

Understanding the Limitations

Before jumping in, it’s essential to grasp the limitations imposed by the game. Nintendo designed Animal Crossing: New Horizons to support only one island per Nintendo Switch console. This restriction applies even if you own multiple copies of the game cartridge or have digital copies. Each copy will only load the save data that’s tied to the specific Switch you are playing on. Therefore, having multiple islands is impossible on a single device. If you desire a second island, you will need a separate Nintendo Switch console and a second copy of the game.

Preparing for a New Beginning

Restarting your island means losing all of your progress, so careful consideration and planning can soften the blow. Here’s how to make the transition easier:

Entrusting Your Valuables

One helpful strategy is to utilize a friend’s island. You can store valuable items, rare DIY recipes, and a substantial amount of Bells (the game’s currency) on a friend’s island. Then, after setting up your new island, you can retrieve your items from your friend. This process minimizes the loss of all of your hard work.

Remembering the Journey

While restarting may seem daunting, many players find it invigorating. It provides a chance to experience the game from a different perspective, potentially choosing new villagers, designing your island with newfound knowledge, and appreciating the simple beginnings.

The Island Selection Process

When beginning anew, you’ll once again go through the island selection process with Timmy and Tommy Nook. Although you can’t drastically alter your island’s layout initially, understand that you will gain access to the terraforming tool later in the game, allowing you to redesign your island to your exact preference. However, selecting an island layout you like at first will make the start more enjoyable. Keep in mind that you cannot change the island layout after you create it, without deleting the save file again, so be sure to take your time and chose the island layout that appeals to you.

Why Restart?

The decision to restart is personal and often based on a desire for a fresh start. Here are a few reasons why players might choose to restart:

• Creative Block: Sometimes, players feel stuck with their current island design and want to explore new ideas from scratch.
• Unwanted Villagers: You might have villagers you’re not fond of, and restarting lets you aim for your ideal residents.
• Desire for a New Experience: The simplicity and discovery in the early game can be nostalgic, prompting players to relive that phase.
• Island Layout Choice Regret: You may be unhappy with your current island layout, especially the river placement and resident service building location.
• A Fresh Start: For some, the best way to re-engage with the game is by starting fresh, shedding all progress and embarking on a completely new adventure.

The Risk of Restarting

Restarting your island is a significant choice, as there is no official save or island back up option, and you risk losing all of your progress.

• Lost Progress: All of your items, DIY recipes, Bells, Nook Miles, and island upgrades will be lost.
• Villager Reset: You’ll say goodbye to your current villagers and have to start recruiting new ones.
• Museum Progress: Your museum collection will also be reset, meaning you have to start gathering bugs, fish, fossils and artwork again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about starting a new island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to provide further clarity:

1. Can I have two islands on the same Nintendo Switch?

No, you cannot have two islands on the same Nintendo Switch system. The game’s save data is directly tied to the console, limiting you to one island per Switch.

2. How do I delete my Animal Crossing island?

To delete your island, go to System Settings > Data Management > Delete Save Data. Select Animal Crossing: New Horizons and confirm the deletion.

3. Will my DLC be lost if I restart my island?

No, your DLC purchase is tied to your Nintendo account. However, you’ll need to re-unlock and re-access the DLC content through the game’s story progression.

4. Can I move my house after restarting?

Yes, after you progress through the initial stages on your new island, you can move your house and other island structures by speaking with Tom Nook at the Resident Services building.

5. Can I change my island layout after the initial selection?

You can’t change the fundamental layout but you can use the terraforming tool once it is unlocked to alter the landscape of your island.

6. What happens if I abandon my island for a long time?

If you abandon your island for a long time, it will become overgrown with weeds. Additionally, your villagers may comment on your absence, but none will leave.

7. Can I sell my Animal Crossing account?

While you can technically attempt to sell your Nintendo account with an island, doing so often violates the terms of service and has significant risks involved. It is not a safe way to ensure you receive money or the buyer receives the island.

8. Is it worth restarting my island?

The decision is entirely personal. If you feel creatively stifled or desire a fresh start, it can be worth the experience. However, be aware of the progress that will be lost.

9. Can I save my island progress?

There is no way to manually save your island data, and the game’s cloud backup feature is only for use in case your Switch system is damaged or lost.

10. Can multiple players share one island?

Up to eight players can reside on one island, with up to four players being able to play at the same time with a single system.

11. How many unique island layouts are there?

There are 18 unique island layouts, each with slightly different terrain features and starting placement.

12. What happens if I delete a user profile on my Switch?

If you delete a user profile that had a house on your island, that villager will be completely removed from the game and will no longer exist on the island.

13. What are the rarest island layouts?

Some island layouts are rarer and can only be encountered once per day on mystery island tours.

14. How many islands can I visit?

There is no limit to the number of other players’ islands you can visit, with the only limitation being whether or not you have other players that you have access to.

15. Who are some of the most popular villagers?

Popular villagers include Raymond, Marshal, Stitches, and Flora, each with their own unique charm and appeal.

Conclusion

Starting a new island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a big decision, requiring careful consideration and planning. By understanding the limitations, preparing your transition, and carefully weighing the pros and cons, you can embark on a new adventure with confidence. While the reset may seem daunting at first, it offers the opportunity to experience the game with a fresh perspective and create a new virtual home tailored to your current vision.