What Does Perfect Fruit Look Like in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

The allure of perfect fruit in the Animal Crossing series has captivated players for years, and while New Horizons handles this rare commodity a little differently than its predecessors, the core concept of an ideal, premium version of your island’s native fruit remains. Unlike the original games where perfect fruit was visually distinct with a glowing or shimmering effect, in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, perfect fruit doesn’t have a unique visual appearance. They look exactly the same as regular fruit.

That might sound a little disappointing for seasoned fans used to the special, glossy look of perfect fruit, but the game retains the core functionality of this unique produce; they sell for significantly more bells than normal fruit. The absence of the visual cue however, makes it more important to pay attention to how the fruit trees on your island produce, which can be a little tricky.

Understanding Perfect Fruit in ACNH

Instead of visual differences, you identify perfect fruit by knowing your native fruit and watching your trees closely. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, your island starts with a single type of native fruit. This could be apples, oranges, pears, peaches, or cherries. Unlike previous games, only native fruit has the potential to grow into a perfect version.

In New Leaf, your perfect fruit would sparkle and appear different than your normal fruit, which made them very special. In New Horizons, the perfect fruit is identical to your native fruit, but they sell for a higher amount at Nook’s Cranny. They do not have any unique visual cues in ACNH.

Perfect Fruit Mechanics in New Horizons

The mechanics surrounding perfect fruit in New Horizons are both simple and complex:

• Native Fruit Only: Only your island’s native fruit can become a perfect fruit.
• Rarity: Perfect fruit is rare to grow. In the beginning, your island will usually have at least one tree that grows perfect fruit. It is a one-off event. After that, the chances of finding perfect fruit again are very slim.
• No Visual Difference: As stated, there is no special sheen or sparkle. They appear identical to normal fruit of the same type.
• Sell at a Premium: The primary indication that you have a perfect fruit is the price at which you sell it. Native perfect fruit sells for 600 bells, while non-native perfect fruit sells for 3,000 bells when you sell it to other players, or visit a player’s island and sell your perfect fruit there.
• Limited Use: In New Horizons, perfect fruit cannot be replanted to grow a tree with more perfect fruit. If you plant a perfect fruit it will just grow a normal fruit tree.
• Fertilizer: Burying fertilizer next to your trees can increase the chances of finding a perfect fruit on your island.

Why the Change?

The shift away from the visually distinctive perfect fruit has puzzled some players, but it fits with New Horizons’s emphasis on player agency and discovery. The removal of the visual cue makes finding perfect fruit feel like a true moment of chance and luck.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Perfect Fruit Still Valuable in New Horizons?

Yes, absolutely! While they don’t look different, perfect fruit is incredibly valuable, especially when sold in another player’s town. Perfect fruit native to your island sells for 600 bells, but non-native perfect fruit sells for 3,000 bells, making them ideal for earning a lot of bells quickly. This is a significant boost compared to the 100-200 bells you would typically get for regular fruit.

2. How Can I Identify Perfect Fruit in ACNH?

Since there’s no visual difference, you identify perfect fruit by selling it at Nook’s Cranny. If it’s your native fruit and the selling price is 600 bells, it’s a perfect fruit. It is not possible to see the perfect fruit on your trees.

3. Can I grow perfect fruit trees?

Unfortunately, you cannot cultivate a perfect fruit tree simply by planting a perfect fruit. If you plant a perfect fruit, it will grow into a regular tree and produce normal fruit. Perfect fruit is unique to the chance that it will appear on a tree that grows your native fruit.

4. Can I get perfect fruit of other fruit types?

You can not grow perfect fruit that is not your native fruit. You may receive perfect fruit from other players when you trade with them, or visit their islands.

5. Can you trade perfect fruit?

Yes! Trading is one of the best ways to get non-native perfect fruit. If you visit someone else’s island and they are giving away perfect fruit, or selling it, grab it while you can, as you can resell it on your own island for 3000 bells.

6. How many perfect fruit trees are on an island at once?

Normally, there is only ever one perfect fruit tree that appears on your island. This is usually at the beginning of the game.

7. Can you get a perfect fruit tree by using fertilizer?

Burying fertilizer next to fruit trees can increase the chance that they produce a perfect fruit. It is not guaranteed, but it can help.

8. What are sister fruits?

Your sister fruit is the non-native fruit you find when you visit mystery islands. For example, if your native fruit is oranges, your sister fruit will be one of the other fruits such as cherries, peaches, apples or pears.

9. What is the rarest fruit in Animal Crossing?

The rarest fruit is arguably the perfect fruit, which is a variant of your island’s native fruit. It’s rare due to its low probability of appearance. It is also worth the most bells when sold.

10. How do I get non-native fruit?

You can obtain non-native fruit by:

• Visiting mystery islands with Nook Miles tickets.
• Traveling to a friend’s island.
• Taking a boat tour with Kapp’n
• Receiving them as a gift from Isabelle.

11. How do I get Isabelle to give me fruit?

Early in the game, talk to Isabelle, and she will give you a few tasks to complete. One of the rewards for completing one of these tasks is a basket of non-native fruit.

12. Can I give fruit to my villagers?

Yes, you can. Gifting fruit is a common way to increase your friendship with villagers. Stacking fruit can help in getting villager photos.

13. Do villagers know if you regift something?

Yes, villagers will remember if you give them an item you previously received from them. They will display unique dialogue in this situation. It’s often better to avoid regifting.

14. How do I use the fruit I’ve eaten?

Eating fruit grants you the ability to break rocks with a shovel or chop down whole trees with an axe. You can eat up to ten pieces of fruit to store 10 power boosts at once.

15. Is it important to eat fruit in Animal Crossing?

While it is not absolutely necessary, eating fruit to gain the ability to break rocks and dig up trees is very useful for moving things around on your island. It’s also necessary to collect certain resources that you only get from breaking rocks.

Conclusion

While the look of perfect fruit has changed, its core value and rarity remain a compelling part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Keep your eyes on those trees, and happy hunting!