Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a welcome distraction from the rest of the world right now, as the adorable life simulator finally hit the Nintendo Switch on Friday. Immediately, people flocked to virtual islands and started making friends, designing their own digital universe in the process.
And once they got all the basics settled, they started making memes. It seems everywhere you look on social media people are talking about the very cute game, the latest in a series that has some significant nostalgia and escapism for its players. But as people around the world are encouraged to practice good social distancing and stay inside, it’s also finding a lot of new players.
More than a few people who had little idea of what the series even was are now obsessed with the friendship simulator.
Me two days ago: What is Animal Crossing exactly?
Me now: I HAVE TO CATCH FISH SO AN OWL CAN OPEN A MUSEUM
— Linda Holmes thisislindaholmes.com (@lindaholmes) March 22, 2020
A particularly common meme opportunity opens up on day two when Gulliver shows up washed up on the beach.
https://twitter.com/ChrisPlaysDD1/status/1241374238180859916
But one user did a bit of photoshopping to turn the tables.
gulliver u basard … pic.twitter.com/hd91yQozET
— becky (@cclowndogg) March 21, 2020
Gulliver’s appearance in the island was a lot of fun for basically everyone, even if it appears like he’s dead if you don’t know what’s going on.
https://twitter.com/VEVONovva/status/1241202479221616640
DONT SHOW ME MY CRIMES ON THE TITLE SCREEN #AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/qL3Igfut7L
— keyboard cowboy!! 🐙 (@hackerling_) March 22, 2020
Some folks had a bit of trouble gathering the resources they needed to advance things in the game.
me desperately needing some iron nuggets to help completely build my shop for animal crossing pic.twitter.com/XmEDhZcqdu
— DitzyFlama (@DitzyFlama) March 22, 2020
This is just bad timing.
Some fans: “I wish Animal Crossing brought back the rude villager personalities”
New Horizons: pic.twitter.com/yK3Nt8pj3c— jake (@AC_Roald) March 22, 2020
Same here.
Shit happens! #AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/xhMV4oazG3
— HN•REH (@reh191) March 22, 2020
Man, everyone’s wasting presents out here.
im so dumb…. #AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/IeZlhT9HsS
— Ash (@loonanese) March 22, 2020
There isn’t a lot that can hurt you in Animal Crossing, but bees and spiders are a concern. And they really freak some people out.
Oh, what a great day, I hope nothing happens to me- #AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/rX9DZTpTZb
— DitzyFlama (@DitzyFlama) March 22, 2020
People are really having a lot of fun, even if they are looking a bit inward as they play.
I never realized this game posed such deep, philosophical questions. #AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/mml0Or4yl5
— Tom Fawkes (@TomFawkes) March 22, 2020