Animal Crossing: Should I Restart My Island Paradise?

Nintendo's silence regarding the future of the Animal Crossing franchise has led me to a difficult crossroads: should I completely restart my island in *Animal Crossing: New Horizons*? As a longtime fan, I've never reset a game before. But after five years with no new content in sight, the idea of wiping the slate clean and experiencing the game anew is increasingly tempting. The lack of any announcements from Nintendo, not even hinting at a new Animal Crossing title in development, is concerning. While a sequel for the Switch 2 seems inevitable, especially given *New Horizons*' immense popularity, the wait could be significant. This extended period of uncertainty makes the prospect of a fresh island getaway all the more appealing.

The Allure of a Fresh Start It's been half a decade since *Animal Crossing: New Horizons* launched in March 2020, and I've resisted the urge to restart my island. Of course, there have been extensive renovations and seasonal updates, but never a complete reset. The thought of losing years of progress—my extensive DIY recipe collection, museum exhibits, villager photos, and hard-earned Bells—is daunting.

However, I haven't actively played *New Horizons* in a while. With no sequel on the immediate horizon, starting over could reignite my passion for the franchise. Rebuilding the museum, forging new friendships with villagers, and designing an island from scratch sounds incredibly refreshing.

The Uncertain Future of Animal Crossing Nintendo's last official communication about Animal Crossing was the final *New Horizons* update in November 2022. Considering the lengthy development cycles of modern games – evidenced by the eight-year gap between *New Leaf* (2012) and *New Horizons* (2020) – it's not surprising that a new Animal Crossing game isn't imminent.

When Will We See a New Game? Realistically, we might be years away from the next Animal Crossing installment. Nintendo is currently managing numerous franchises. In the meantime, they are set to release Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream in 2026 as a life simulation alternative. Rumors suggest the next Animal Crossing game will feature a city setting and an expanded marketplace, further justifying a prolonged development period. Any sequel will need to surpass *New Horizons*, and while improving villager interactions seems achievable, technical aspects like multiplayer functionality will require significant effort.

A Lack of Information Fuels Indecision Nintendo's recent strategy involves keeping upcoming projects and release dates tightly under wraps. Instead of generating years of hype, they prefer to announce games only months before their launch. This approach, while somewhat disrupted by Switch 2 rumors, will likely continue for future releases. Consequently, predicting the arrival of a new Animal Crossing game is impossible. Even a general timeframe would aid in deciding whether to restart *New Horizons*. If the game is in early development and slated for release midway through the Switch 2's lifespan, resetting now seems logical. However, if Nintendo surprises us with an early release next year, starting over would be pointless. Given the likelihood of a long wait, perhaps it's time to embrace the digital debt and rebuild my island paradise.