Poll

Our pick

Is Animal Crossing: New Horizons Multiplayer?

Yes

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is multiplayer: up to 12 can play together online, and up to 4 on one screen.

  • Switch 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons multiplayer at a glance

How you play

Players2 to 12 online · 4 on one screen

Can you play Animal Crossing: New Horizons split screen or online?

Up to 4 play Animal Crossing: New Horizons together on the same screen, without splitting it, and up to 12 can play together online. On one screen one copy is enough, but online everyone needs their own.

CrossplayNot needed

Does Animal Crossing: New Horizons have crossplay?

It's only on Switch and Switch 2, so everyone plays there.

What it costs

Copies neededOnline, yes

Does everyone have to buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

On one screen, one copy is enough.

Before you start

MicNo

Do you need a mic?

You can play without voice chat.

Age ratingAll ages

What age is Animal Crossing: New Horizons for?

PEGI 3 · ESRB E

What is Animal Crossing: New Horizons like?

You visit each other's islands to trade fruit, fish together, and decorate.

Each Switch holds one island, where up to eight people can live. On one console, the leader calls up to three other residents with the NookPhone, and they follow along with their tools, though they can't talk to villagers or enter buildings, and anything they catch goes to the recycle box. Online, up to eight players fly to an island through Dodo Airlines, or 12 if everyone has the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The game runs on a real-time clock, so the seasons and shop hours follow your calendar.

  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot 1
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot 2
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot 3
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot 4

Will your group like Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Yes

Families with several people sharing one Switch who want to look after the same island a little each day. It's rated E (PEGI 3), and there's no way to lose.

No

Groups who want to play as equals on one screen, since followers can't open their inventory or enter buildings, or anyone who wants levels to beat.

What games are like Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

If your group likes Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the closest are Goat Simulator 3, Minecraft (Bedrock Edition) and Stardew Valley. Like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, all three are played on the same side and keep the same relaxed pace.

Info checked on October 18, 2026.