What Happened to Rover in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Rover, the friendly blue cat known for his initial character creation role in previous Animal Crossing games, didn’t disappear entirely in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While he isn’t a permanent resident of your island and doesn’t fulfill his traditional role, he makes a special appearance during the May Day event. He can be found at the end of the May Day Tour maze, offering players a reward for their efforts. This cameo allows long-time fans to reconnect with the beloved character, even though his role has been significantly altered.

Rover’s Evolving Role in the Animal Crossing Series

From Character Creation to Special Guest

In earlier Animal Crossing titles, Rover played a crucial role at the very beginning of the game. He would ride with the player to their new town, engaging in a conversation that determined the player’s appearance and starting details. This interaction was a memorable introduction to the world of Animal Crossing.

However, in Animal Crossing: Wild World, Rover’s role shifted. While he was no longer the initial greeter, he could be found in The Roost café, a familiar face for players to encounter.

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, this evolution continues. Rover’s initial character-defining role has been passed to Timmy and Tommy, but his reappearance during the May Day event serves as a nostalgic nod to his past significance. This cameo shows that Nintendo recognizes the character’s importance to the fanbase, even if they’ve chosen to use him sparingly.

The May Day Tour

The May Day Tour is a limited-time event that takes place at the beginning of May. Tom Nook offers players a free May Day Ticket, allowing them to visit a special island. This island features a maze, and at the end of the maze awaits Rover.

Reaching Rover at the end of the maze results in a rewarding interaction, offering the player Rover’s briefcase or Rover’s photo. This encounter is a unique opportunity to see Rover in New Horizons and obtain a special item associated with him.

Why the Change?

It’s likely that Nintendo chose to alter Rover’s role to streamline the initial player experience. Having Timmy and Tommy handle character creation allows for a more concise introduction to the game’s mechanics and island setting. Additionally, limiting Rover to a special event appearance keeps his presence special and memorable, catering to long-time fans without making him a constant fixture.

This approach also allows Nintendo to explore new characters and storylines within the Animal Crossing universe, keeping the game fresh and engaging for a broader audience.

FAQs: Rover in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

1. Can you get Rover as a villager in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? No, Rover is a special character and cannot be invited to live on your island as a villager. He remains an NPC (Non-Player Character) with a specific role in the May Day event.

2. What is Rover’s role during the May Day event? Rover is found at the end of the May Day Tour maze. He congratulates the player for completing the maze and rewards them with either Rover’s briefcase or Rover’s photo.

3. Is the May Day event the only time you can see Rover in New Horizons? Yes, the May Day event is the only confirmed time Rover appears in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. He doesn’t appear on your island or in other locations throughout the year.

4. What happens if you talk to Rover repeatedly after completing the maze? After receiving your reward, Rover simply mentions that he plans to stay on the May Day island for a while longer. There are no further interactions or options to invite him to your island.

5. Was Rover in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC (Happy Home Paradise)? No, Rover did not make an appearance in the Happy Home Paradise DLC. His only appearance in New Horizons is during the May Day event.

6. Will Animal Crossing: New Horizons receive any further updates with Rover? Nintendo has officially concluded support for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, meaning there will be no further major updates or content additions, including any new roles or appearances for Rover.

7. What determined the player’s appearance before Animal Crossing: New Horizons? In previous games, Rover determined the player’s appearance by asking a series of questions during the initial ride to the town. The answers given would influence the character’s gender and facial features.

8. Who handles character creation in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Timmy and Tommy Nook handle character creation in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Players can customize their character’s appearance directly from the start, with no initial questionnaire.

9. What is the rarest villager to get in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Octopus villagers are considered the rarest, as there are only five octopus villagers in the entire game.

10. Who is the reset guy in Animal Crossing? The reset guy is Mr. Resetti, also known as Sonny Resetti. He is a mole who appears when the player resets the game without saving.

11. What is the most popular aspect of Animal Crossing: New Horizons? One of the most popular aspects is the level of customization available, allowing players to design their islands and homes to their liking. The social interactions with villagers and other players are also highly valued.

12. Is Animal Crossing still popular in 2024? Yes, Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains popular even in 2024. While it received its last major update in 2021, the game’s sandbox nature and strong community continue to keep players engaged.

13. Will there ever be a new Animal Crossing game? It is expected that a new Animal Crossing game will eventually be released, most likely on Nintendo’s next console. However, no official announcement has been made yet.

14. Are Animal Crossing games good for learning? Yes, Animal Crossing games can be beneficial for learning. They can help develop skills in areas such as economics (managing resources), creativity (designing and decorating), social skills (interacting with villagers and other players), and even basic literacy and numeracy. To learn more about the educational aspect of games, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

15. What is the hardest bug to find in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? The Giraffe Stag is considered one of the rarest and most difficult bugs to find in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

While Rover’s role may have changed, his legacy remains a beloved part of the Animal Crossing series. His occasional appearance in Animal Crossing: New Horizons keeps the spirit of the series alive, reminding players of the long and cherished history of these virtual worlds.