Animal Crossing Day

Gracie Smith
MSMU Class of 2027

(6/2025) The most comforting game known to man was released on March 20th, 2020. Just one week after the world shut down, this game took players from all over on a cozy adventure of creativity and fun. After 5 years, the game is most well-known for providing people with comfort and security during the worldwide pandemic. Because of this, let’s dedicate a day to the game we know and love, Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

My love for the game started at a young age. I remember playing Animal Crossing: New Leaf on my Nintendo 3DS. I had never been a big video game person, I had only ever played Mario Kart and Wii Sports. However, my best friend introduced me to the game, and I was immediately hooked. In high school, I heard that Nintendo was releasing an Animal Crossing-themed Nintendo Switch and a new game to go along with it. I knew I had to have it.

I had gotten some money for my birthday just a few days before the Animal Crossing Switch was to release on March 13th, 2020. My dad drove me to Gamestop at 7 in the morning so I could be the first in line to get the new Nintendo Switch. It was cold, rainy, and overall very unpleasant. Nevertheless, my spirits were high. Once the store opened at 9 am, I went right in and made the biggest purchase of my life. I bought the Animal Crossing Switch, a preorder for the Animal Crossing Game that was to come out a week later, and Mario Kart. $450 later, I was back home playing my new Nintendo Switch.

I thought the timing of the pandemic was truly impeccable. I had just gotten my Nintendo Switch and two new games. The world shutting down gave me all the time in the world to dedicate to Animal Crossing. I couldn’t be happier to stay home and play my games. I was not the only one with this mindset. Animal Crossing: New Horizons became the most popular game for the Nintendo Switch following its release a week after the shutdown. Everyone had nothing better to do, so they purchased the game and dedicated a large number of hours to it. I, shamelessly, was one of those people.

Once my high school figured out how they wanted to proceed with the rest of the school year, I found myself sitting on Zoom calls playing my Switch in the middle of class. My teachers were none the wiser, and I had A’s in all my classes. After the shutdown, attendance became the most important part of the class, not the material. Despite this, I had my Switch propped up just under my computer, and would play Animal Crossing for hours. For the first year of owning my Switch, not a single day went by where I did not log into Animal Crossing.

During all the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the pandemic, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the one bit of consistency that I had. It was the one thing that I could count on not changing. I realize now that I depended on that game to get me through such a time of uneasiness and vulnerability. I would like to think that I’m not the only one who depended on something so heavily, such as this. Now, 5 years later, my Animal Crossing island is my pride and joy. Not including my cat, Oliver.

The years passed, and my life started to change; graduation, college, and new jobs. However, at the end of the day, I would still log into Animal Crossing: New Horizons and be transported to something that has never changed. It is always the same, and it will always be there for me to come back to, transporting me to the comforting time of my youth.

My love for the game quickly became something people recognized me for. For a short period of time, I was referred to as "Animal Crossing girl", which, I admit, I didn’t enjoy. However, I couldn’t blame people for the association. Over time, I began collecting Animal Crossing merch, including crewnecks and blankets. I was even gifted Animal Crossing merch. I went to Build-A-Bear to stuff my own Isabelle plushie. For those unaware, Isabelle is an Animal Crossing icon who appears in all of the Animal Crossing games.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons comforted thousands of people during the worldwide pandemic. For this, I believe we should dedicate March 20th as International Animal Crossing Day. On this day, Nintendo should offer special in-game events that encourage players to celebrate the game. In addition, Nintendo should create special merchandise to commemorate the game, like shirts, hats, cups, etc. I think limited edition Nintendo Switch accessories, such as controllers, new Joy-Cons, and cases, should be available for purchase, which would be even more exciting. Most of these ideas stem from what Nintendo does for Mario Day, which is celebrated on March 10th. If all the Mario games get a holiday, why shouldn’t Animal Crossing?

When asked to write an article where we create our own holidays or international days, I wanted to write something that was personal to me and dedicated to a specific audience. While this article might make me sound incredibly childish, I enjoyed every second of writing it. This one is for all of those who found comfort in something a little odd during the uncertain times of the pandemic, and to those who are of innocent hearts and youthful minds. This article is for those who have depended on something to help them through life’s constant changes. For me, Animal Crossing has helped me grow through challenging times and brought me joy when the world seemed to bring nothing but inconsistency and fear. I encourage everyone to find something that brings them comfort, and as a famous Beatle once said, "Life happens just when you’re making plans." Find something to help get you through it.