The island getaway we've been waiting for is only six weeks away. That's right, Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrives on Nintendo Switch on March 20. It's the first mainline entry in the series since 2012's Animal Crossing: New Leaf and will bring some changes to the town simulation formula. New Horizons will definitely be one of the biggest Switch games of 2020.
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, your character will be ferried (via the Nook, Inc. charter) to a deserted island, where they can set up a tent and start growing their own town through many of the same activities seen in previous Animal Crossing games: crafting items, shaking trees, fishing, and more.
As the new release date for Animal Crossing: New Horizons draws closer, you might be wondering where you can pre-order the game and if there are any bonuses. Read on for more info on the best places to pre-order Animal Crossing: New Horizons as well as its newly announced special-edition Switch console. (Also, if you like what you see below, check out our full guide to all the best Animal Crossing accessories and merchandise being released for New Horizons--there are so many cute products coming out soon.)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons pre-order bonuses
Animal Crossing: New Horizon doesn't have a universal pre-order bonus that you'll get by pre-ordering at any retailer. However, some retailers have been offering exclusive pre-order bonuses. Target was offering an adorable New Horizons-themed journal with a 2020 calendar, but it's since sold out. That said, Target often announces in-store bonuses for major games (especially first-party Switch games), such as the pin set that came with Link's Awakening. That could mean the journal gets restocked or an entirely new item becomes available, but it's worth checking back about a week before New Horizons releases to see if Target has a new bonus item. If that happens, you can either purchase in the store or bring the receipt for your online pre-order.
Best Buy is giving away Tom Nook "Phone & Tech Badges," which can be stuck to phones, laptops, tablets, etc. and supposedly leaves no residue and is reusable. You'll also get $10 reward credit if you're a My Best Buy member (it's free to sign up).
Pre-order Animal Crossing: New Horizons standard edition
The standard edition will come with the base game and any pre-order bonuses offered at the retailer of your choice.
- Get it at Amazon -- $60
- Get it at Best Buy -- $60
- Get it at GameStop -- $60
- Get it at Target -- $60 | SOLD OUT
Pre-order Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bell Bag bundle
Best Buy has a cute bundle available to pre-order. For $65, you get a copy of the game the plush Bell Bag shown above, and the Tom Nook Phone & Tech badge.
Pre-order Animal Crossing: New Horizons edition Switch console
Finally, Animal Crossing fans' prayers have true: a special-edition Nintendo Switch console inspired by Animal Crossing: New Horizons will release on March 13, one week before the game. This is the newer model Switch that includes longer battery life, and it'll cost you $300.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of people wanted to get their hands on this pretty console, and it's now sold out at all major retailers. There's a chance it may come back into stock in limited quantities before release, so keep checking back if you want to secure a pre-order. You can see the listings at each retailer below.