Since Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched in March 2020, Nintendo has been unafraid of adding themed events. Holiday and other themed events have been present in the Animal Crossing franchise since its first installment. However, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has expanded events in such a way that the list of events is not only extensive, but that players eagerly anticipate them. With another in-game event on the way based on the title, it seems like Nintendo may have dropped the ball in one key way.
In-game events are no anomaly when it comes to Animal Crossing: New Horizons and even its predecessors. With such a long list of events for the franchise’s many titles, it’s worth reviewing how Nintendo has used them in the past.
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Events Are a Mainstay of Animal Crossing
The first two major events ever included in the Animal Crossing franchise were Halloween and Toy Day. Both of these events tend to be featured in other simulation games, which makes their inclusion as some of the first in the franchise completely understandable. Halloween and Toy Day are obviously both included in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but the title also has a surprising number of other events not themed to real world holidays.
Events like the Fishing Tourney, Bug-Off, International Museum day, and the Fireworks Show act as recurring celebrations for players to catch more items or participate in fun event specific gameplay like Redd’s raffle or Blathers’ stamp collection. Unfortunately, Nature Day was removed from Animal Crossing: New Horizons in patch 1.9.0. and now acts as a Nook Shopping seasonal event rather than its previous versions.
But Animal Crossing’s version of Valentine’s Day has always been special. Though the event was not initially part of Doubutsu no Mori, Animal Crossing’s first title, it was eventually added to the game. Valentine’s Day has been a part of the Animal Crossing franchise since this addition, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons eventually adding the event in its 1.7.0 free update.
New Horizons’ version of the event sees the player receiving a letter attached with either a chocolate heart or a heart-shaped bouquet from villagers with high friendship and Isabelle. Players can also purchase either item from Nook Shopping. Brewster also serves hot chocolate instead of coffee on Valentine’s Day and will wish players a “Happy Valentine’s Day” after drinking.
New Horizons 2025 Valentine’s Day Has Fun New Gameplay, But Only For Some
As part of Animal Crossing: New Horizon’s 2025 Valentine’s Day celebration, Nintendo announced new “Heart Chocolate” and “Heart Rose Bouquet” items that can be gifted to fellow residents. A thousand lucky players who participate in the event and gift the items will be randomly selected to receive a prize containing badges depicting Tom Nook, Isabelle, and Brewster. These players will be notified through their Nintendo Account by February 20.
Adding the new gameplay of gifting these items to villagers easily seems like something Nintendo could add for Animal Crossing: New Horizons players internationally. However, the limited capacity for the thousand players trying to gain their badges could explain why the gameplay is only available in Japan. It’s always fun to see new additions to events, or games in general, but the highly limited window of participating is disappointing.
Nevertheless, events in Animal Crossing have always been, and always will be, a hoot. This new Valentine’s Day gameplay will begin for players in Japan on February 14 in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
- Released
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March 20, 2020
- ESRB
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E for Everyone: Comic Mischief
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo