Promotion for Animal Crossing, from tie-ins to real world events, are some of the most exciting aspects of the franchise outside of gameplay. Where some video games, like Stardew Valley, will have events like concert tours performing music off of its soundtrack, one of Animal Crossing’s longest real world promotions is more interactive. Not only has this specific promotional tie-in brought joy to fans and players across the world, it would be the perfect feature to expand upon in the next Animal Crossing game.
Considering the other gameplay features in Animal Crossing, specifically in New Horizons, it seems as though this one promotional event would be the perfect event for the franchise’s next title. Collections have always been one of the larger, all-encompassing features of the Animal Crossing franchise, so it would be unsurprising to see collecting become an even bigger part of the next game.
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Animal Crossing's Aquarium Tour is One of the Franchise's Best Promotions
Nintendo launched the Animal Crossing: New Horizons aquarium tour in July 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagwawa, Japan. Since then, the New Horizons aquarium tour has made several stops across Japan and Korea, with Japanese locations including the prefectures of Miyagi, Niigata, Kagoshima, and back to Kanagawa, with a single Korean stop, so far, in Seoul.
The tour then went to the United States, making its US debut at the Seattle Aquarium in Washington state on October 7, 2023. However, this was the only state-side version for a few months before a full tour was announced. Kicking off on June 14, 2024, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach was soon decked out in New Horizons-themed decorations. The tour has since gone to New Orleans, Atlanta, Newport, Boston, Tempe, Kansas City, Camden, and is currently located at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Animal Crossing: New Horizons aquarium tour is slated to end on February 28 with no official news of an extension from Nintendo.
At the event, guests could not only see the typical offerings of their aquarium, but could participate in an Animal Crossing themed stamp rally and view themed signage with Blathers typically describing the sea life of the venue. Photo ops were available around the aquariums, with options like a light wall and various standees of the game’s iconic characters, like Isabelle and Tom Nook. Some aquariums also held meet and greets with various characters on occasion. Additionally, players who checked in at a My Nintendo kiosk would receive 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points, which could be redeemed online for rewards.
This dedicated tour has obviously taken plenty of time, money, and collaboration between Nintendo and over a dozen aquariums. Since a new Animal Crossing title for the Switch 2 only seems like a matter of time, it would make perfect sense for Nintendo to incorporate this project, which had so many resources dedicated to it, into the next game.
How Aquariums Could be Improved in Animal Crossing
As any player knows, collecting is an important aspect of Animal Crossing. In New Horizons specifically, players can unlock the museum after donating five creatures to Tom Nook and fifteen more items to Blathers. Featuring fish, bugs, fossils, and even art, many players focus on collecting and donating items to Blathers to complete their collection.
The museum is the perfect guideline for aquariums to become their own feature in the next Animal Crossing game. Perhaps fish will have their own separate building rather than being included in the museum. This could allow for a new villager to run the building, with Blathers continuing the museum separately with bugs, fossils, and art.
New sea life could even be introduced to Animal Crossing. Referencing sea creatures found at the different aquariums that have been visited by the New Horizons tour would be a fun touch for players in the know. Since this is essentially reworking an existing feature, adding aquariums to the next Animal Crossing game probably wouldn't be too complex and would be an excellent way to cater to collection-loving players.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- March 20, 2020
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Expansions
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. 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.
Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
- Franchise
- Animal Crossing
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- How Long To Beat
- 100 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
