Animal Crossing: New Horizons finally brings the simulation series to Nintendo Switch, with all the bells and whistles fans have come to love over the years. It continues to be one of Nintendo’s most successful series, even spawning a mobile spinoff called Animal Crossing Pocket Camp, which has made over $131 million to date.

New Horizons looks to expand on the series’ mechanics even more, and provide players with even more options for customizing their dream island getaway.

Animal Crossing has been one of the most awaited games on Switch since the system launched, and Nintendo has drip-fed details since the New Horizons was announced in 2018. Here are all the details on Animal Crossing: New Horizons gameplay, online capabilities, and special merchandise.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Release Date

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was originally scheduled for a September 2019 release date, but like many of the Fall games it was pushed back, giving it the release date of March 20, 2020.

While New Horizons doesn’t have any special editions, Nintendo did announce an adorable Nintendo Switch console to coincide with the game. The pastel-colored system runs for $299.99, and the dock even comes emblazoned with an image of Tom Nook and his sons, Timmy and Tommy.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Gameplay Changes and Updates

Animal Crossing: New Horizons uses the same tried-and-true gameplay loop the series is known for. In an open-ended fashion, players will be able to explore their own island, collect items, build furniture and decorations for their house, and interacting with a town of anthropomorphic animals.

A new crafting system will allow players to turn materials into items they can then use to decorate their houses or use around the island. A NookPhone device serves as the player’s menu, while NookMiles give the option of exchanging reward points gained by completing goals. Players can now edit a character’s appearance and clothing at any time, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons doesn’t lock any options behind gender. Nintendo has also added new weather options, basing the game’s seasons on whether players are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, a first for the series. On top of snowy and rainy weather, there’s also windy weather added.

Through trailers and artwork a number of returning characters have been confirmed, both those that’ll offer services and some that you can invite to live on your island. Here are all the known returning characters, of course, new characters will also be joining the cast of returning ones, including a new lizard type of villager.

  • Isabelle Mr. Resetti Tom Nook Timmy and Tommy Nook K.K. Slider Blathers Mabel and Sable Celeste Gulliver Kicks Wisp Sahara Harvey

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Online and Multiplayer

Perhaps most exciting for fans is the fact that Animal Crossing: New Horizons will support a couple of different multiplayer options. Four players can explore the island in local co-op, while online multiplayer lets up to eight players occupy the island at any given time.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn’t without its share of controversy, however. Many fans were disappointed when it was discovered that the game only supports one island per Switch, irrespective of the number of accounts. On top of that Nintendo announced that New Horizons wouldn’t have a vital feature of the Switch Online Membership, cloud saves.

Thousands have since signed a petition to try and get cloud saves to work with the game, but all Nintendo has said is that it’s working to make save data recovery possible in the future, in the case of a damaged or lost system. All of this makes Animal Crossing: New Horizons a bit more limited in the pass-and-play respect, but it does double the number of online players from past entries.

Next: Animal Crossing In-Game Purchases Might Not Be Microtransactions