After months of silence regarding updates forAnimal Crossing: New Horizons,Nintendo showed up in a big way. The free 2.0 update is adding a ton of new gameplay mechanics, design opportunities, and NPCs to the game. It will be the last major update forAnimal Crossing: New Horizons,but it is well worth the wait.
One of the most exciting things being added with the new update is the new host of NPCs joining the game. One ofNew Horizons’biggest criticisms has been the lack of popular NPCs from previous games. With every update, fans have been predicting the return of older NPCs, and were usually met with disappointment. Now, however, at least fiveNPCs from olderAnimal Crossinggamesare ready to start living the island life.
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Brewster
By far, Brewster has been the most popular request among fans. Brewster’s popularity is undeniable, and when Nintendo announced that he would be coming toNew Horizonsin September, fans were ecstatic. What many expected to be a small update showing Brewster in his element turned out to be something much larger, but the reveal ofBrewster’s coffee shop, The Roost, started things off with a bang.
Players can go toThe Roost to hang out with Brewsterand enjoy a cup of coffee for 200 Bells. Just like in previous games, other residents can join the player in The Roost and enjoy a relaxing coffee break together. Specific characters can also be invited for a coffee date by using their amiibos. Finally, players have the option to invite other friends to The Roost and hang out together. The soundtrack and the interior of the coffee shop are charming, and it will give players a reason to go to the museum more often.
Kapp’n
Kapp’n is another NPCthat has been frequently requested by players, primarily because of how well he and his boat would fit in by the docks. It was revealed in theAnimal Crossingdirect that on November 5, that’s exactly where he’ll be. Thankfully, though, Kapp’n isn’t replacing or even really competing with Dodo Airlines. He serves an entirely different purpose. With Kapp’n, players can visit mysterious islands for 1,000 Nook Miles. These islands are different from the Dodo Airlines islands because they can feature unique plants and transport players to different seasons or times of day.
Kapp’n was a sailor in the originalAnimal Crossinggame, but since then he has worked in many forms of transportation. InNew Horizons, Kapp’n is going back to his roots as a sailor once more. And of course, Kapp’n wouldn’t be Kapp’n without his sea shanties. Only time will tell exactly how many ofKapp’n’s songs made the cut forNew Horizonsor how many new ones there are, but players will get to be ferried across the ocean while listening to one of Kapp’n’s many sea shanties.
Harriet
Harriet is a pink poodle from previousAnimal Crossinggames that seemed to be out of a job withNew Horizons.One of the biggest changes from previous games is the sheer amount of customization options available inNew Horizons.InCity FolkandNew Leaf,Harriet runs a salon called Shampoodle. With her help, players were able to change their appearance and hairstyle for a fee. InNew Horizons,players can change any aspect of their appearance on their own simply by interacting with a mirror, so Harriet wasn’t predicted to joinNew Horizonsvery often.
However, it looks like she is coming and setting up on Harv’s Island, along with many other NPCs. She doesn’t have a whole shop, but she can help the player learn some brand new hairstyles. A new collection called “Hairstyles by Harriet” adds 11 new hairstyle options, and Harriet’s involvement isn’t necessary to select a new hairstyle. It’s unclear if there will be some sort of process or rapport to build with Harriet before gaining access to the hairstyles, or what Harriet will do after teaching the player new hairstyles, but it’s exciting to see her come toNew Horizonswith the new update.
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Katrina
Katrina is a fortune-telling panther that will be joiningNew Horizonson Harv’s Island. She’s been in everyAnimal Crossinggame so far, and is one of the most popular NPCs due to her vibrant and unique design. With each game, Katrina’s role has expanded. In the first games she simply told players their fortune, but inCity Folk,she was able to give players fortunes that would actually come true and cast charms. InNew Leaf,she tells fortunes in a similar way and transports the player to the Star Matrix.
The specifics of Katrina’s role inNew Horizonsaren’t known yet, as she was only shown telling a fortune with a glowing crystal ball. Hopefully, though, her role will continue to deepen and the fortunes she tells will have consequences afterwards. Even if not, her fortune telling stand looks as colorful and fun as ever, and the animations are striking.
Tortimer
Tortimer is another popular NPC that has been in nearly everyAnimal Crossinggame apart from the originalAnimal Forest.The elderly tortoise is the mayor in mostAnimal Crossinggames, but his run ended inNew Leafwhen he retired to Tortimer Island with his family. Now inNew Horizons,he’s relocating to a trailer on Harv’s Island with Katrina and several other NPCs.Some fans thought Tortimer was dead, so seeing him alive is a big deal.
Not much is known about what his role will be, but the clip of him in theAnimal CrossingDirect suggested that he’ll help with inventory management. Players will be able to use Tortimer to put items into their storage and take items out. TheNew Horizons2.0 updateis doing a lot to help players manage storage by adding special closets that can be placed throughout the island and expanding storage capacity to a maximum of 5,000 items, and Tortimer seems to be another way to help players make the most of their inventory and storage space.
Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis available now on Nintendo Switch, and the 2.0 update will be available on November 5th.
