1. Go fishing
Fishing is a fun activity that gives players the opportunity to catch rare fish that they can sell for bells at Nook’s Cranny. To go fishing, simply equip the fishing rod from your inventory and stand near a body of water, such as a river or ocean. The type of fish you can catch will depend on the location, weather conditions, and season. You’ll also need the right bait to lure in different types of fish. Fishing can be a bit time-consuming, but it’s worth it for the rewards. The best part is that you can fish with friends! It makes for a great social experience and a good way to spend some time off of your island.
2. Collect weeds
Weeds are growths that look like grass and appear in all games, but they can overtake your island if not picked up. They can be spotted by pressing Y on the controller and can be picked up like any other item. Before New Horizons, they were negative environmental factors that affected the player’s island evaluation, but after the update, they don’t do much damage and can be used in DIY recipes.
If you have a lot of weeds on your island, villagers will offer to pull them for you (or sell you a clump of weeds for Bells). In addition to this, they are also needed in some DIY recipes. This is one of the easiest ways to make money early on in Animal Crossing.
3. Get a pet
Animal Crossing’s first big entry since 2020 is a game that rewards players who take their time. Progress is doled out slowly, with some activities / items / buildings only becoming available after a certain number of real-world days.
This makes resource collecting a crucial early-game activity. Having a few tasks that you regularly complete across your island can help make the game feel more natural.
A great way to do this is by visiting other islands. You can see what kinds of fruits they have on theirs (which might not be native to your island), and if you like them, you can bring them back and plant them for your own garden. The same goes for insects and other creatures. Some items will also appear if you shake too many trees, such as a boot or tin can.
4. Collect items
Whether you’re catching bugs or paying off a house loan, the artifacts you collect are the backbone of Animal Crossing. The whacky life simulation series sinks its claws into you and won’t let go, making it hard to stop playing when you get the urge.
Thankfully, Nintendo has taken to supporting their games with continued updates and content since the onset of the internet. And New Horizons is no different. Throughout the game, you’ll be able to visit Tom Nook’s shack or Isabella’s store and donate items to the Museum. Once you do that, those items will become available for sale in the community catalog on other players’ islands. This is a much quicker way to acquire the items you need. Alternatively, you can trade with other players for items to help decorate your home.