Games

Animal Crossing logo
PEGI 3+

Animal Crossing

What it is
Animal Crossing is a life simulation video game series developed and published by Nintendo. People play the role of a human character in the game and can explore spaces such as villages or islands that are inhabited by playful animals, whom they can interact with. There are few objectives they need to achieve in the game, instead the focus is on building towns, villages and ultimately communities in their own time.

How it works
The games are available on Nintendo gaming platforms such as Nintendo Switch 2. A separate paid version of the game is also available on iOS and Android.

People can play Animal Crossing games alone, in more recent games with friends that they are sharing a console with, or online with people they may or may not know personally (however this requires a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online Service). In doing this, players may have the option to voice or text chat with others. Players can also purchase physical Amiibo cards to unlock items and invite characters to visit their village or island.

Parental controls or safety settings available
Nintendo consoles e.g. Nintendo Switch offer parental controls features for Animal Crossing games. In addition, the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app allows parents to access further parental controls features. And ‘Nintendo Family Group’ enables parents to prevent purchases. More safety settings may be available on iOS and Android if these platforms are being used to play Animal Crossing games.

https://www.animal-crossing.com/new-horizons/

Access parental controls or safety settings here

A Parent's Guide to Nintendo Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App Nintendo Family Group

Safety restrictions available

Harmful Content

Block or limit access to content that could be harmful to children e.g. videos that contain bad language or sexual, violent or discriminatory content.

In-game Purchasing

Disable option to buy extra content, goods or subscriptions when using apps e.g. buying TikTok Coins when using the social media app TikTok

Chat

Block a user’s ability to communicate privately with one person or a group of people e.g. send or receive direct messages

Private Account

When an account is set to 'private' it means only approved people whom the user has chosen can see their profile and/or communicate with them e.g. just friends and family

Time Limit

Decide when and for how long a user can access a piece of technology e.g. set a schedule on a broadband router so that internet access turns off after 8pm

Multi Player

Block a user's ability to play games with other players online