Animal Crossing: New Horizons Review [Switch 2] | Needlessly Crossing Over to a New Generation
Published 1/15/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
82
-9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
Making subjectivity useful.
Switch - 3/20/2020
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.
- Developer
- Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 5
- Publisher
- Nintendo
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Critic average
91
Average of 56 scored external reviews.
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Whimsical / playful / lightheartedDefining · Curated baseline
Highly replayableDefining · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureDefining · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Side-content richDefining · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · Curated baseline
Show 11 more descriptors
Loot / progression-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialStrongly · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyModerately · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenSlightly · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedNot present · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureNot present · Curated baseline
Short / focusedNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidenceMixed response
Critic avg
91
56 scored reviews
Total coverage
56
All coverage currently scored
Score range
70–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Mixed response
Score range is 21–30 points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 91 across 56 scored reviews, with a 30-point spread. That suggests a mixed critic response rather than a single clear read.
How to read this
The average may hide important disagreement. Check the individual review cards and score deltas to see which critics landed above or below the pack.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 90–100 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
56 included scored reviews
90–10042 reviews · 75%
80–8913 reviews · 23%
70–791 review · 2%
Below 700 reviews · 0%
Showing 1-10 of 56 matching critic reviews. 56 total critic reviews. Page 1 of 6.
Seren Morgan-Roberts
Gamer GuidesAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Review
Published 9/28/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalNathan B
NoobFeedAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch Review
Published 5/19/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPatrick Sullivan
Jump Dash RollAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Review - Jump Dash Roll
Published 5/13/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalKelley
GameSpaceAnimal Crossing New Horizon
Published 5/5/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
92
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalTheresa Samons
SmashPad"Animal Crossing: New Horizons" Review
Published 4/29/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJames Martin
GameGrinAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Review
Published 4/22/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
95
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalAaron Price
WayTooManyGamesReview - Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Published 4/20/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalEvan Norris
VGChartzAnimal Crossing: New Horizons (NS) Review
Published 4/18/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
-11 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalAdrian Gunning
ImpulsegamerAnimal Crossing New Horizons Review
Published 4/16/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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