Animal Crossing: New Horizons has seemingly endless design and decorating options that make each island unique to the player. Even though it can be intimidating to start terraforming or finding locations for buildings, these details can be adjusted or moved later on in the game. However, there is one decision that cannot be changed easily that greatly impacts design possibilities: the island layout.
New Horizons begins island creation at the check-in counter as soon as the game is launched. Timmy and Tommy Nook provide four map options with different island layouts to choose from. It is possible to close and reboot the game if there is not an ideal island layout from these options. Once a map is finally selected, it cannot be changed without deleting everything and starting Animal Crossing: New Horizons over entirely.
Selecting an island map is arguably the most important decision made in the game. All of the maps in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are the same size, but there are several features that vary from map to map. There are factors other than the layout to consider, such as the native fruit, native flower type, and the color of the airport; although, the player’s preferred fruits, flowers, and items can be collected at a later time. The map layout selected at the beginning of New Horizons greatly impacts design options throughout the game, so there are several factors to consider when making a decision on which island to move to.
ACNH Island Layout Details To Consider Before Selecting A Map
When selecting a map at the beginning of New Horizons, it is less important to focus on island details that can be altered with terraforming, such as cliffs and most freshwater areas. Rather, it is much more important to look at island features that will always remain the same. The airport and Resident Services are the only two buildings that cannot be moved. The proximity of the two in relation to each other is important to consider, as it will affect entrance design options in Animal Crossing. Additionally, players cannot place items on the airport’s pier or Resident Services’ plaza.
There are also some natural features that cannot be altered. Each island will have two river mouths - one will always be on the south end of the map and the second can be on the south, west, or east side. Even though rivers themselves can be terraformed and shaped, it is impossible to waterscape on the beach so river mouths will always remain where they are. New Horizons’ beaches also have rocks that can be decorated, but the number, location, size, and shape vary between islands.
There are a few extra features that appear on every island, although it is important to consider their details. Each island will have a beach on its north end for Redd to visit, but its exact location changes. Additionally, every New Horizons island will have a pier and a peninsula. These will be on either the west or east ends of the map, but again, their exact locations and sizes will vary. Even though it is possible to design any island beautifully, players may want to consider what features of an island are most important to them before making a final selection at the check-in counter. Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ map layouts can make islands unique, and they greatly affect design options and the player’s overall experience with the game.