SheepMareep
Actual Magical Girl
So! I noticed a lot of people are just now getting their first switch or do not understand the save file/online functionality portion of new horizons.
Figured I'd save everyone the effort of making a million threads asking questions and did a FAQ c: If you have any additional questions or something to add let me know and I will add it!
Note; I will be testing the online function between two separate switches using the same download as soon as i can c:
PLEASE READ SECOND SECTION FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON PRIMARY/NON PRIMARY SWITCHES
Figured I'd save everyone the effort of making a million threads asking questions and did a FAQ c: If you have any additional questions or something to add let me know and I will add it!
Note; I will be testing the online function between two separate switches using the same download as soon as i can c:
PLEASE READ SECOND SECTION FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON PRIMARY/NON PRIMARY SWITCHES
1. How many save files can I have on one switch?
You can have one save file on a single switch console
2. How many characters can I have on one file?
Up to eight player characters can be on one island. To do this go to the switch's main screen and add a profile!
3. What will happen if I buy a physical and digital copy? Can I have two islands then?
If you buy a digital copy AND a physical copy for one switch it will NOT give you two save files.
4. How exactly is my save data stored?
Unlike on the 3ds version of the game, the save data is NOT saved on the individual cartridge. Instead, the game is saved onto the switch itself. Sadly, right now it is not saved to the nintendo cloud.
5. Can I transfer my save file to another switch if I get a new one, mine becomes damaged, etc.?
Right now, no. But nintendo said they working on a way to possibly make this happen! Don't know when it will be implemented however.
Other games can be through the cloud service with nintendo online but animal crossing cannot.
You can have one save file on a single switch console
2. How many characters can I have on one file?
Up to eight player characters can be on one island. To do this go to the switch's main screen and add a profile!
3. What will happen if I buy a physical and digital copy? Can I have two islands then?
If you buy a digital copy AND a physical copy for one switch it will NOT give you two save files.
4. How exactly is my save data stored?
Unlike on the 3ds version of the game, the save data is NOT saved on the individual cartridge. Instead, the game is saved onto the switch itself. Sadly, right now it is not saved to the nintendo cloud.
5. Can I transfer my save file to another switch if I get a new one, mine becomes damaged, etc.?
Right now, no. But nintendo said they working on a way to possibly make this happen! Don't know when it will be implemented however.
Other games can be through the cloud service with nintendo online but animal crossing cannot.
1. Can I use one copy for multiple switch consoles?
Yes! If you have a physical or digital copy of the game you can use it on both switch consoles without carrying over save data.
2. Should I buy multiple copies if I have multiple switches?
No, you do not need to unless you feel it is necessary due to your own situation.
3. Which game type is best for use with multiple switches?
This depends completely on play style!
If you primarily play at home (with access to wifi) and want to have both open at the same time then I would pick the digital version. It is also good for families with multiple switches so if you have like... 3 different switch lites for 3 kids you don't need to get them 3 individual copies. There are limitations to this when someone uses a "non-primary switch" however.
If you are always traveling on the go without internet access and do not plan on playing both versions at the same time then physical may be better. Just need to remember to switch the cartridge to whatever one you are playing!
4.What do you mean by "primary" and "Non-primary" switch?
This applies to people who are using digital copies of games only.
Primary switch: This is considered the main switch for all games downloaded by the individual account. You can access any game downloaded by this account at any point in time without complication.
Non-primary switch: This would be your second/third/etc. switch console. You can still download ALL of your games from the "primary" switch using the same account. However, this one will need to be connected to wifi in order to play any of the games (offline play as well)
Each separate account has a different "primary" and "non-primary" (So you can have 3 accounts with one switch as their primary and the other as their non-primary but 2 accounts that have the opposite.)
UPDATE
On non primary switches only the OWNER of the content can play the downloaded games. This means in order to have another player use the game on any switch console they would need to be using the PRIMARY switch. I am unsure if this means the primary user needs to *begin* the town on the non primary or if nintendo will just... block this.
I do not know how this will affect new horizons played on a non primary console.
5.Do I need nintendo online to use the non-primary switch?
Nope! You can connect to the internet without nintendo online; you just wont be able to use the online functions.
6.Can I switch which console is the primary vs non-primary?
Yes! Just follow this here guide and go at it.
Yes! If you have a physical or digital copy of the game you can use it on both switch consoles without carrying over save data.
2. Should I buy multiple copies if I have multiple switches?
No, you do not need to unless you feel it is necessary due to your own situation.
3. Which game type is best for use with multiple switches?
This depends completely on play style!
If you primarily play at home (with access to wifi) and want to have both open at the same time then I would pick the digital version. It is also good for families with multiple switches so if you have like... 3 different switch lites for 3 kids you don't need to get them 3 individual copies. There are limitations to this when someone uses a "non-primary switch" however.
If you are always traveling on the go without internet access and do not plan on playing both versions at the same time then physical may be better. Just need to remember to switch the cartridge to whatever one you are playing!
4.What do you mean by "primary" and "Non-primary" switch?
This applies to people who are using digital copies of games only.
Primary switch: This is considered the main switch for all games downloaded by the individual account. You can access any game downloaded by this account at any point in time without complication.
Non-primary switch: This would be your second/third/etc. switch console. You can still download ALL of your games from the "primary" switch using the same account. However, this one will need to be connected to wifi in order to play any of the games (offline play as well)
Each separate account has a different "primary" and "non-primary" (So you can have 3 accounts with one switch as their primary and the other as their non-primary but 2 accounts that have the opposite.)
UPDATE
On non primary switches only the OWNER of the content can play the downloaded games. This means in order to have another player use the game on any switch console they would need to be using the PRIMARY switch. I am unsure if this means the primary user needs to *begin* the town on the non primary or if nintendo will just... block this.
I do not know how this will affect new horizons played on a non primary console.
5.Do I need nintendo online to use the non-primary switch?
Nope! You can connect to the internet without nintendo online; you just wont be able to use the online functions.
6.Can I switch which console is the primary vs non-primary?
Yes! Just follow this here guide and go at it.
A lot of these are speculation since we do not have the game yet but based on my experiences c:
1.Do I need nintendo online to play online?
Yep, this is the same as for other consoles like the playstation and xbox.
2.Do I need nintendo online to use the phone app for QR codes?
At this moment we don't know. I personally believe you will not, however only time will tell c:
3.What are the limitations with primary/non-primary online play if I have 2 switches?
You cannot be on the SAME PROFILE and be online at the same time. For instance, if both switches have the account "Bob" they cannot both be actively playing on the "Bob" profile and go online. (This is for online play only; offline play does not matter so much. They just don't like the same nintendo account being online on two switches at once.)
A very easy solution to this is to be on two separate switch accounts! One person on "Bob" and the other on "Molly" would allow both switches to play online at the same time. c:
UPDATE: IF player "Bob" owns the game then player "molly" will most likely need to be using the primary switch.
4.Can my primary town visit my non-primary town?
UPDATE: I will be testing this as to not give anyone false hopes!
5.Do I need to be online/have nintendo online for local play?
Nope! Local play does not require nintendo online access since it does not use wifi.
6.Do I need nintendo online to get the free updates?
Nope! This is done through regular ol' wifi. c:
7.Does every account on my switch need to have nintendo online for it to work?
It depends on what profile you intend on using for online play.
If one profile is NOT connected to a nintendo online plan it cannot go online even if other profiles on the switch are connected to a plan and can go online.
(for example: Player Bob is connected to nintendo online and can go online. Player Apollo, on the same island, cannot because they are not on a nintendo online plan.)
8.Why do I have to pay for online play?
Nintendo is very behind on this trend, all major console platforms have used this function for years now and are MUCH more expensive. They are really just catching up to the market.
9.I can't afford nintendo online but I really want to be able to trade and play with my friends on here.
Well! Lucky for you there is This handy dandy thread made where people are offering to let people join their family plans for free! c: The only thing the other person needs is the email linked to your nintendo account, no other personal info. HOWEVER, if you are under the age of 18 ask your parent/guardian first before doing this. Also note they can remove you at any time or may choose not to renew their subscription. Be aware if your email to your nintendo account contains personal information as well. don't share those sort of emails with strangers on the internet!
Another solution is to find some friends irl who also want nintendo online and split the costs of the family plan! if you have all 8 slots filled that's less than $5/year
10. Do I need wifi to use nintendo online?
Yes. Nintendo online is not a connection service. You need to be connected to wifi in order to use this function.
1.Do I need nintendo online to play online?
Yep, this is the same as for other consoles like the playstation and xbox.
2.Do I need nintendo online to use the phone app for QR codes?
At this moment we don't know. I personally believe you will not, however only time will tell c:
3.What are the limitations with primary/non-primary online play if I have 2 switches?
You cannot be on the SAME PROFILE and be online at the same time. For instance, if both switches have the account "Bob" they cannot both be actively playing on the "Bob" profile and go online. (This is for online play only; offline play does not matter so much. They just don't like the same nintendo account being online on two switches at once.)
A very easy solution to this is to be on two separate switch accounts! One person on "Bob" and the other on "Molly" would allow both switches to play online at the same time. c:
UPDATE: IF player "Bob" owns the game then player "molly" will most likely need to be using the primary switch.
4.Can my primary town visit my non-primary town?
UPDATE: I will be testing this as to not give anyone false hopes!
5.Do I need to be online/have nintendo online for local play?
Nope! Local play does not require nintendo online access since it does not use wifi.
6.Do I need nintendo online to get the free updates?
Nope! This is done through regular ol' wifi. c:
7.Does every account on my switch need to have nintendo online for it to work?
It depends on what profile you intend on using for online play.
If one profile is NOT connected to a nintendo online plan it cannot go online even if other profiles on the switch are connected to a plan and can go online.
(for example: Player Bob is connected to nintendo online and can go online. Player Apollo, on the same island, cannot because they are not on a nintendo online plan.)
8.Why do I have to pay for online play?
Nintendo is very behind on this trend, all major console platforms have used this function for years now and are MUCH more expensive. They are really just catching up to the market.
9.I can't afford nintendo online but I really want to be able to trade and play with my friends on here.
Well! Lucky for you there is This handy dandy thread made where people are offering to let people join their family plans for free! c: The only thing the other person needs is the email linked to your nintendo account, no other personal info. HOWEVER, if you are under the age of 18 ask your parent/guardian first before doing this. Also note they can remove you at any time or may choose not to renew their subscription. Be aware if your email to your nintendo account contains personal information as well. don't share those sort of emails with strangers on the internet!
Another solution is to find some friends irl who also want nintendo online and split the costs of the family plan! if you have all 8 slots filled that's less than $5/year
10. Do I need wifi to use nintendo online?
Yes. Nintendo online is not a connection service. You need to be connected to wifi in order to use this function.
Last edited:
)
