How To Time Travel In Animal Crossing New Horizons (step-by-step Guide)
So, you've been playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You love your little island. You've built your dream home. You've caught all the fish. You've gathered all the bugs. But maybe, just maybe, you're feeling a little… bored?
Perhaps you've already accomplished everything. Or maybe you just want to see what happens if you shake things up. Well, have you considered… time travel?
Yes, I know. It's a controversial topic in the Animal Crossing community. Some players say it's cheating. Others say it ruins the natural progression. But honestly? Sometimes, a little nudge is just what your island needs.
Think of it as a gentle push. A playful peek behind the curtain. It's not about breaking the game. It's about bending it to your will. Just a little bit.
So, if you're ready to experiment, and you're not afraid of a little digital mischief, then let's dive in. Here’s your super simple, totally unofficial guide to time traveling in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Step 1: Embrace the Pause Button
First things first. You need to make sure your game is completely closed. Not just paused. We're talking fully closed. Hit that home button on your Nintendo Switch.
Then, find the Animal Crossing: New Horizons icon. Hover over it. Press the 'X' button. Confirm that you want to close the software. Poof! Gone.
This is crucial. If the game is even slightly open, it won't work. Trust me on this. I've tried it. It just… doesn't.
Step 2: The Magical Realm of Settings
Now, let's go to the heart of the operation. You need to access your Nintendo Switch system settings. Find that little gear icon on your home screen. It’s usually pretty obvious.
Once you're in settings, scroll down. Keep scrolling. You're looking for something that sounds a bit like a wizard's incantation. It's usually near the bottom.
You’ll find it! It’s called System. Click on that. Don't be shy. We're entering forbidden territory now, sort of.
Step 3: Date with Destiny
Within the System menu, you need to find the date and time settings. It's usually pretty straightforward. Look for Date and Time.
Now, here’s the important part. You must turn off Synchronize Clock via Internet. This is non-negotiable. If this is on, your Switch will just correct itself. We don't want that.
So, toggle that setting off. Make sure it's greyed out. This gives you the power. You are now the master of your island's timeline. Pretty cool, right?
Step 4: Choose Your Adventure
With internet synchronization off, you can now manually change the date and time. This is where the fun begins.
Do you want to skip ahead a week? A month? A year? Or maybe go back to a time when that special event was happening? The choice is yours.
You can change the year, the month, the day, and even the time. Be precise! Or just wildly guess. It’s your island, after all.
For example, if you want to see what your island looks like in the summer, just change the date to July or August. If you’re craving the spooky atmosphere of Halloween, aim for October.
And if you’re impatient for a specific villager to move out, you can fast forward days until they pack their bags. Goodbye, Sheldon. It was… an experience.
Step 5: Back to the Island Life
Once you’ve set your desired date and time, it’s time to head back into Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Start the game up again. Watch that familiar loading screen. Feel the anticipation build.
As soon as you land on your island, you’ll notice things are different. The seasons might have changed. The shops will have new stock. Villagers might be talking about events you missed.
And, of course, if you skipped ahead, you might find weeds. Lots and lots of weeds. Consider it the price of power. Or just a good excuse to do some gardening.
Pro-Tips from a Fellow Islander
Be careful with your date changes. Jumping too far ahead can have consequences. Like, really far ahead. We’re talking years.
For instance, if you jump ahead a lot, your turnips might spoil. That’s a rookie mistake. Remember to sell those bad boys before you travel.
Also, be mindful of your villagers. They will notice. They might even comment on how long you’ve been gone. Or how old you look. It’s all part of the charm.
And if you’re looking for specific items or events, it’s usually best to travel in smaller increments. A few days at a time is often safer and more manageable.
However, if you want to experience the full bloom of cherry blossoms, you might need to jump to late March or early April. And if you want to catch those pesky summer fish, you’ll need to set your island to those warmer months.
Think of it as a quick vacation. Or a brief glimpse into a different version of your island. It’s a way to spice things up when you feel like you’ve seen it all.
My personal favorite time to time travel is right before a big update. It’s like getting a sneak peek at the new features. Or seeing if the new events are as exciting as promised. It’s a way to maximize my Animal Crossing enjoyment.
Some people frown upon it. They believe in the natural rhythm of the game. And that's perfectly fine! Everyone plays their own way.
But for those of us who like to experiment, who enjoy a little bit of control over our digital lives, time travel is a tool. A fun tool.
It can help you get that rare item faster. It can let you experience all the seasons in one go. It can even help you move out that villager you’ve been meaning to say goodbye to for weeks.
So, go forth and explore. Bend time to your will. Just remember to turn that internet sync back on when you’re done, unless you want your Switch to forever be stuck in the past. And that might be a whole other kind of adventure.
Happy time traveling, islander!