Animal Crossing: 10 best tips to play the zen game for Nintendo Switch

Animal Crossing: New Horizons only arrived last week for the Nintendo Switch, but the beloved franchise is already creating a sensation. The slow-paced, anxiety-free island life simulator just might be the perfect antidote to the realities of social distancing and quarantine during the coronavirus spread.

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I've already discovered a few nuggets of wisdom that will go a long way in the early days of gameplay, making the game smoother and more rewarding as you build your life on the island. If you're unfamiliar with the series, a little direction can help you navigate the game so you're not just collecting everything you see -- there's a little more structure than meets the eye. 

So here are a few tips and tricks for players of all kinds, whether Animal Crossing is already at home in your Switch or still on your personal horizon. I'll update this post as more tips come along.

Once you put these tricks into action, Animal Crossing: New Horizons will truly begin to open up to you. Keep discovering and crafting, keep chatting with your island friends and most of all, keep destressing while you do it.

Now you know how to jump start your island getaway in Animal Crossing, check out some other tips for getting the most out of your Nintendo Switch and the seven other games you need to play on the console.