Animal Crossing Free Download Available, But You Don't Have Forever

Animal Crossing is one of Nintendo’s strongest franchises, and for good reason. Despite having limited entries each and every one of them is cherished.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch was welcomed with open arms when it launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and while it was missing some core content from Animal Crossing: New Leaf it wasn’t a bad game by any means.

Now we wait for the next Animal Crossing game for Nintendo Switch 2 and I’ve got high hopes it’ll be the best one yet now that we know what Nintendo’s new console can do.

But in the meantime fans will have to cope with more Nintendo Switch Online icons, of which there are arguably too many to redeem…

Nintendo updated its icon roster with loads of Animal Crossing characters with each one essentially being free as they’re redeemed through Platinum Points, earnt through gameplay.

Each one will set you back 10 Platinum Points but I doubt anyone’s going to grab them all, best to stick to the ones you like or have on your own island.

These won’t last forever though as Nintendo regularly changes what’s available, but if you miss out they’ll surely be back one day.

Hopefully Nintendo has some more Animal Crossing surprises on the way in the near future. A new game would be great but I’d wager we’re a few years out from that point, though I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing back some classics.

With GameCube games now available on Nintendo Switch Online (exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 owners) now would be a great time to add the OG Animal Crossing game to the line-up.

It’s barebones compared to modern Animal Crossing games but it still has its charm, and its low-maintenance village can be enjoyed alongside your sprawling island on Animal Crossing: New Horizons.