How to Time Travel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Image: Austin Voigt

Although Reggie says he would "Never!!" time travel in Brute Crossing, jumping forwards or backwards within the game'southward "real time" clock system is definitely a possibility - and fairly like shooting fish in a barrel to accomplish, if we're existence honest. Nevertheless, there are many consequences to consider - both from technical and upstanding standpoints.

Curious nigh how your friends have managed to unlock everything in the game and gather millions of Bells' worth of items faster than humanly possible? Allow united states to be your time traveling tour guides through Animal Crossing: New Horizons (tipping not required, but ever appreciated).

Guide to time traveling in Beast Crossing: New Horizons

Is information technology possible to time travel?

When Animal Crossing: New Horizons was initially appear, fans were told specifically by producer Higashi Nogami that fourth dimension manipulation was something they wanted to avert:

"New Horizons will not be compatible with deject backups to avoid manipulating time, which remains i of the founding concepts of the serial."

However, after release, players realized it was nonetheless a possibility to fourth dimension travel in the game - and many took advantage of this characteristic, as in previous entries (and cloud backups came along for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, too).

In order to manipulate time and move either backwards or forwards in the game's clock, players must:

  1. Admission the System Settings on your Switch
  2. Select "Organization" from the lesser of the settings listing
  3. Scroll down within the "System" settings on the correct side until you meet "Date and Time"
  4. Within these settings, deselect "Synchronise Clock via Net"
  5. Prepare the date and time to your preferred destination
  6. Load upward the game and allow the time traveling begin!

What happens if yous fourth dimension travel?

While nosotros neither condemn nor disregard time manipulation in Animal Crossing, nosotros do caution that in that location are many varied in-game consequences to these types of actions.

The skillful:

  • Cash Money: Make more Bells with interest on saved coin in your ABD
  • Issue Attendance: Skip ahead to events in the hereafter - such equally KK Slider concerts, birthdays, or upcoming fishing tournaments (although you cannot admission seasonal events that take not yet been added to the game, such every bit Halloween and Christmas-themed holidays)
  • Expedited Post: Become items in the mail service more than quickly (most arrive at 5am the next twenty-four hour period)
  • End Things Faster: Speed up the process of new villagers moving in, fruit regrowing on trees, renovations & upgrades to buildings, trees and flowers growing, etcetera
  • Shopping Spree: Access new items and inventory at shops on different days
  • Seasonal Sporting: Access other times of the twelvemonth to catch out-of-flavor fish and bugs
  • Early Birds & Nighttime Owls: Adapt time of day to access things that may be closed, such as shops
  • Eviction Find: Go rid of those villagers you despise much more quickly past ignoring them for days on end, until they finally decide to pack upwards and leave

The bad:

  • No More Bonus Nook Miles: Nook Stop Streak Bonuses are only doled out when you access the terminal each twenty-four hours consecutively - if you time travel more than ane day, the streak will be broken
  • Bed Head Beauty: Time traveling a calendar month or more into the future volition give your character a lovely case of bed head (although some may be a fan of this look...)
  • Cockroach Encroachment: If you time travel a month or more into the hereafter, you're sure to detect some roachy rascals creeping around the firm - and the farther you travel, the more cockroaches you'll larn; as with previous entries, you'll simply demand to run around your home and footstep on them to eradicate the infestation (again, if you're looking for some new pets, this may be a perk)
  • Weed Siege: Unlike previous Animal Crossing games - where weed infestations would trigger events such as Leif showing up and rewarding yous with rare floral items - weeds will exercise nothing for you in New Horizons merely brand a mess and knock your Isle Rating (unless, of class, y'all like the await of them, or need them for crafting)

The ugly:

  • Trashed turnips: Time traveling backwards, or forwards to the upcoming Sunday and across, will automatically spoil whatsoever turnips in your possession (which could be a perk, if you lot're trying to grab some ants... or build a dump on your island)
  • Neglected neighbors: Fourth dimension traveling multiple days at one time puts you at risk of losing some of your residents, as they begin to feel ignored - again, this can be a plus if you're looking to ditch some unwanted villagers, just you won't necessarily have control over which ones exit if you travel besides far
Rotten turnips
Epitome: Nintendo Life

Should you time travel?

Although nosotros don't necessarily disregard time crimes - which are considered to be "cheating" by many Animate being Crossing purists who wish to play the game as it was designed past its creators - we practice recognize that this is a serial in which players are also encouraged to play however they wish.

Some are vehemently opposed to the idea, while others have more than upstanding reasons for manipulating fourth dimension - such as odd personal schedules and real-life demands that prevent "normal" enjoyment of the game.

However you choose to play, it should be for your own pleasure. Whether you choose to get equally much out of the game in as brusk amount of time as possible, or prolong your enjoyment and play with real-time limitations, it'south ultimately upward to you. We hope this guide helps you make your decision wisely!

What are your thoughts on time traveling in Animal Crossing? Have yous tried information technology — or do you prefer to play solely in real fourth dimension? Spark a heated time crime argue in the comments beneath, dearest readers!

This article is part of our Creature Crossing: New Horizons walkthrough, which includes a Consummate Fish List, Complete Bug List and Complete Sea Creatures List. If you're looking for specific fish or bugs, we can tell yous how to catch the elusive Coelacanth, Mahi-Mahi, Giant Trevally, Stringfish, Aureate Trout and all the Sharks and Beetles, along with a total list of critters leaving at the terminate of the month (unless you visit Kapp'n'southward Boat Tour islands, of course!).

We tin can too assist with How to Spot Redd'southward Fake Paintings and Statues, How to Make Bells Fast, How to Breed Flowers, How to Get more DIY Recipes, How to Upgrade Nook's Cranny, where and when to find special characters like Gulliver, Sable, Characterization, Wisp, Celeste, Pirate Gulliver and Jack, plus tips on using the Star Wand, Tool Ring, Rock Trick, Cutting Downward and Moving Trees, using amiibo on Harv's Isle, How to Back Up Your Island Data, How to Time Travel, How to Get a 5-Star Island Rating and a whole lot more.

If it'due south new content yous're looking for help with, we tin assist you find gyroids, unlock Brewster'south café, use the new Pro Camera App for selfies, enact new ordinances, become the beloved Froggy Chair, and even learn How to Cook.

And finally, Where to Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch, if for some reason you haven't yet picked up the game, and How To Buy The Happy Abode Paradise DLC, besides!