The latest update trailer for Animal Crossing: New Horizons just released, announcing some highly anticipated features. The most notable are the fireworks event and the ability to visit other players’ islands via dreaming. The new Animal Crossing trailer also announces a backup and restoration feature as well as a promise for a new update set to release sometime this fall.
Firework shows will be available each Sunday in August, allowing non time-travelers the opportunity to witness a display up to 5 times for August 2020. New items such as balloons, party poppers, sparklers, and headgear boppers will also enhance this summer festivity. The introduction of Luna and dreaming to visit other players’ islands is probably the most exciting new update — something Animal Crossing: New Leaf fans have been missing since New Horizons released in March 2020.
There are some details worth going into that may not have been apparent from the initial viewing of the trailer. Fans of previous Animal Crossing games may have the upper hand in noticing these details as this new content is reminiscent of New Leaf in particular. Here are a few things players may have missed in the latest announcement:
The Fireworks Stall is Redd’s Cookie Shop Reincarnate
Redd is seen standing beside his fireworks stall, introducing Redd’s Raffle. New Leaf fans will note the similarities to Redd’s appearance at the fireworks event in New Leaf, where he sells fortune cookies from his cookie stand. Previously, players could redeem cookie fortunes for prizes, or in some cases--duds. This may shed some light on how the raffle system will work in New Horizons, and players should be prepared to be scammed by Redd once again. There is also a green garbage bin by the stall, which seems to encourage players to throw away their used fireworks.
Super Smash Bros. Villager Easter Egg
Those who have played Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. 4 or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate may have noticed a familiar face in New Horizon’s latest update trailer. The player running around in the red “1” shirt tugging the red balloon is the playable Villager character featured in the Smash Bros. series.
Isabelle Is Outside!
With the exception of commemorative photos taken after construction completion, Isabelle never seems to leave the Resident Service building. In the trailer, she is seen standing beside the building in the plaza, sporting some yellow star head boppers.
In New Leaf, she actually handed out these boppers along with firework fountains. She was also in charge of customizing fireworks, and this may be how you do this in New Horizons.
There is No Dream Suite
Players will indeed be able to encounter Luna, who allows them to dream and access other players’ islands without actually affecting them. However, in New Leaf there was an actual building you had to construct called the Dream Suite, which Luna ran. New Horizons seems to have done away with this, and instead, players can find Luna by choosing to sleep in a bed in their home. It should be noted that a Nintendo Switch online membership is necessary for this feature.
Dreaming Details
Viewers may have noticed the gyroid that appears by their bed when dreaming, which may hint at the gyroid-loving Brewster making an appearance eventually, though not likely in this update. The presence of the Able Sister’s Kiosk at the dream island’s plaza implies the omission of Wendell--the blue walrus who gave access to the custom patterns found in dream towns in New Leaf. Players can also meet the dream island’s representative, who is shown actually talking upon interaction. Players may get to insert a custom welcome message like they were able to in New Leaf.
Jack Will Be Back!
Finally, the fall update announcement features a smiling jack-o-lantern. Fans of previous Animal Crossing games will know him as Jack — the NPC specter who shows up around Halloween and gives out spooky items! While the August update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be available as soon as July 30th, Jack’s teaser keeps the excitement going well into fall season.