Animal Crossing is back with a new game for 2020 and it really couldn’t have come at a better time. Here’s how to make the time change social with Animal Crossing- the multiplayer modes of New Horizons.
There are three ways to get together with friends and family in Animal Crossing- Party Play, local wireless, and online gaming. Read on to find out which path is best for you – and how to go about setting it all up.
How to visit friends in Animal Crossing- New Horizons
1) Animal Crossing Party Play
Party Play is the best way to play if you and your family are all crushed on a Switch. Up to four people can play together in Party Play as long as they share the same island (although each island can actually accommodate up to eight players).
How to start Party Play:
- Press the ZL button to open NookPhone
- Press the yellow “Call Resident” icon – you will get this option only when two or more users share your island
- Choose which players you want to invite and press ‘Confirm’
- Press “OK”
- Choose the type of controller for each player- Joy-Con or Joy-Cons or Pro Controller
- Read the information that appears, then press “Close”
- When it’s time to end, open NookPhone, click “Call Resident” and end the multiplayer session
2) Animal Crossing local wireless
Local wireless connection allows you to play with other Switch users nearby. This makes this an excellent method for long car trips and for visiting other islands in your family, with a limit of players up to eight people. How to invite people to your island with local wireless:
- Go to the airport on your island and talk to Dodo
- Select “I want visitors”
- Read the information and select “I understand” when finished
- Choose “Via local play” and press “Roger”
- Select ‘Fling’ em open ‘to open the gate to nearby visitors. If you prefer to limit your island to specific visitors, click “Set a code” to create a four-digit password to enter
How to visit other islands with local wireless:
- Go to the airport on your island and talk to Dodo
- Choose “I want to fly!”
- ‘Select’ Via local playback ‘and then’ Roger ‘
- Wait for Dodo to give you the correct name of the island and press “Let’s fly”. You may be asked to provide a four-digit Dodo code if the other player has set one
Players can visit the airport at any time to return to their island or – in the case of the guest – lock the gate for any additional visitors.
3) Animal Crossing online
The online mode is perfect for social isolators and players who are currently unable to reach their friends and family. This is the best multiplayer mode for long-haul flights to distant islands. Two to eight people can play together in online mode, although everyone will need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to team up.
How to invite people to your island with local wireless:
- Go to the airport on your island and talk to Dodo
- Choose “I want visitors”
- Select “Via online game”
- Read the information, then press “I understand”
- Press “Roger!”
- Choose “All my friends!” to open the door to visitors from Switch’s friends list or “Invite via Dodo code” to get a five-digit code to share with friends
- Near the gate to prevent new visitors from entering
How to visit other islands with local wireless:
- Go to the airport on your island and talk to Dodo
- Press “I want to fly!”
- Select “Via online game”, then “Roger”
- Choose “Search a friend” to scroll Change friends with the doors open or choose “Search by Dodo code” to enter a code provided by a friend
- Wait for Dodo to give you the correct name of the island and press “Let’s fly”
- Return to the airport when it’s time to go home
