All posts tagged in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Museum
Jul 3, 2020
I recently covered some of the features that players could look forward to on July 3rd as part of wave one of Nintendo’s summer update. These included the ability to wear wet suits and snorkels, go swimming and diving, and meet ‘new’ characters. Now that the update has landed, more detail and clarity has become available. Therefore, here is everything to know about the exciting new additions to arrive with the Animal Crossing: New Horizons summer update.
How To Update & Some Words From Isabelle:
In order to obtain the perks of the summer update, you will need to ensure that your game is updated to version 1.3.0. To complete the update you will need to:
- Ensure that your Nintendo Switch console is connected to the internet
- Launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons from your console’s Home screen
- You will be given an option to update the game. Select this.
- The game will proceed to update, and then load as normal.
- You will know that the update has been successful if you see ‘Ver. 1.3.0’ in the top right-hand corner of the title screen.
Additionally, you will then receive the following message from Isabelle:
How To Get Your Free Snorkel:
You will receive a free snorkel in your mailbox as a reward for updating your game. However, snorkels are purely cosmetic, and you will only need to be wearing a wet suit to enter the water.
How To Get Wet Suits & All Current Known Types:
Wearing a wet suit will allow your player to enter the ocean, swim around, and to dive.
You can obtain a Horizontal Striped wet suit from Nookโs Crany for 3,000 bells (they are found in the tools section of the shop). The colors of the wet suit available will vary each day. Currently, the Horizontal Striped wet suit is available in red, blue, yellow, and black.
A Leaf-Print wet suit is also available to purchase. This style also comes in four different colours, light blue, purple, yellow, and green. The suit can be ordered from the Nook Shopping catalogue for 3,000 bells.
The final type of wet suit available is the Nook Inc. wet suit. This longer-length suit can be redeemed for 800 Nook Miles at the Nook Stop terminal.
How To Get Different Colored Snorkels & Every Current Known Type:
As previously mentioned, you will receive a free snorkel in your mailbox after updating your game. The color you receive appears to be random (I got pink).
The next type of snorkel is the Nook Inc. snorkel which can be obtained for 500 Nook Miles at the Nook Stop terminal.
I was initially disappointed, as after checking Nook’s Cranny and the Able Sisters’ store, it seemed that these two types of snorkels were the only choice you were given.
However, after a sneaky bit of time travel, I discovered that the Able Sisters stock the snorkel as an accessory, and when they do, they have a variety of colors to choose from. These include grey, red, pink, yellow, green, and blue. Therefore don’t be disheartened if you’re unhappy with the snorkel color you received in the mail, as you can purchase a more preferable color at the Able Sisters’ store.
How To Swim:
To enter the water, simply ensure that you are wearing a wet suit, and press the A button at the water’s edge on the beach, or from the edge of a rock next to the sea. To swim around, simply continue pressing the A button, and use the joystick to choose which direction to swim in.
The Nooklings will give you a brief tutorial on swimming and diving when you buy a wet suit from them for the first time. My first time going into the sea! ๐ How To Dive:
If you spot a stream of bubbles in the water, it means that a deep sea creature is located there. To obtain the creature, you will need to dive for it. Simply swim over to the stream of bubbles, press the Y button to dive, and then press A to swim towards a black spot. Once you reach the spot, your character will obtain the creature. Ensure you are close enough to a stream of bubbles before diving, as your character will eventually need to resurface for air.
Donating Deep Sea Creatures To The Museum:
You can donate any deep sea creatures that you find to Blathers at the museum. After donating your first deep sea creature, you will then be able to donate multiple creatures at once in the future. Any donations will be exhibited in the aquarium section of the museum alongside the other fish.
Can I Swim At Night?
Whilst your in-game ‘mom’ would most definitely disapprove; yes, you can go swimming at night too.
Can I Swim During Winter?
Branded a ‘summer update’, those in the southern hemisphere may have wondered if you would also be able to swim, considering it is currently winter for y’all. But worry not, whilst you may be freezing your barncacles off, you can participate in the exact same new features as those in the northern hemisphere.
Can I Swim In Rivers Or Other Bodies Of Water Besides The Sea?
Unfortunately not. I tried taking a dip in both a river and my (decoy) duck pond to no avail. It seems swimming is limited to the sea only, and honestly? I’m rather salty…
About Pascal:
Pascal the โphilosophicalโ otter has returned, and may appear when players find scallops whilst diving for deep sea creatures. On a side note, scallops can be found at any time of day, and all throughout the year.
Pascal didn’t show up for me personally upon finding my first scallop, but he did the day afterwards. If you discover a scallop, there is a chance that he will pop up in the water nearby and offer you a trade.
If you give him a scallop, he will give you a Mermaid Furniture DIY recipe in return. Likely having a busy schedule comprising of the contemplation of life “maaan”, he won’t appear more than once a day.
The Mermaid Series:
The Mermaid Series (which naturally looks great with shell furniture), consists of the following items:
- Mermaid bed
- Mermaid chair
- Mermaid clock
- Mermaid dresser
- Mermaid floor
- Mermaid lamp
- Mermaid screen
- Mermaid sofa
- Mermaid shelf
- Mermaid table
- Mermaid vanity
- Mermaid wall
In order to craft the mermaid series DIY furniture from Pascal, you will need to collect various shells and pearls. This, in combination with Pascal’s unknown spawn rate, means completing the set is likely to keep players busy for a good while.
About Pirate Gulliver:
After updating your game to Ver. 1.3.0, there is a chance that instead of washing ashore in his usual Sailor’s outfit, Gulliver may be wearing Pirate attire instead. If this occurs, he will still request your help in communicating with his crewmates. However, instead of digging up five communicator parts from beach areas, you will need a wet suit to go diving for just one communicator part.
Upon returning this communicator part to ‘Pirate Gulliver’, he will mail you a piece of pirate-themed furniture or clothing as a reward. You will receive the item the next day, just like you would when helping him on other occasions. It is not yet known if helping ‘Pirate Gulliver’ contributes towards unlocking the Golden Shovel like helping regular Sailor Gulliver does.
A New Seasonal Item Is Available:
Under the seasonal tab of the special goods section of the Nook Shopping catalague, a new item has become purchasable. The new item is called ‘Bamboo grass’, can be purchased for 3,080 bells, and has been added in celebration of the Japanese festival ‘Tanabata’. Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, celebrates the meeting of deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, and takes place on July 7th this year. The Bamboo grass item will be available to buy until July 31st.
Very Punny, Nintendo…
It ‘a-piers’, that with the introduction of new creatures, players will get to ‘sea’ even more terrible puns. You ‘dolphin-itely’ ‘cod’ do better than that Nintendo. SMH.
- Jun 29, 2020
A recent Animal Crossing: New Horizons summer update trailer has confirmed some features that fans have asked for from the start. Additionally, it also contained some unexpected things to anticipate in the July 3rd update. However, there is also strong evidence from dataminers and characters’ dialogue to suggest even more exciting additions.
Nintendo have already confirmed that New Horizons will receive updates for many more years, meaning that things players would like to see in the game still have a chance to be introduced. So without further ado, here are some rumored and confirmed features heading to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Confirmed Features:
Starting off with the confirmed features to arrive in the July 3rd update is sea swimming and its related activities/items. Here is what you will be able to do upon completing the aforementioned update:
- Obtain a basic wetsuit from Nook’s Crany for 3,000 bells (from the tools section of the shop) to take a dip in the ocean
- Acquire a more slim-fitting style wetsuit from the Nook Stop terminal for 800 Nook Miles
(Whilst not yet confirmed, multiple variations of wetsuits were available in New Leaf, so it seems plausible that more styles may become available in New Horizons too) - Receive a free snorkel upon updating your game on July 3rd. Whether they are purely cosmetic, or have a function is not yet known. It is believed that you will receive the snorkel in your mailbox as a reward after the update
- Choose from several different colored snorkels at the Nook Stop terminal for 500 Nook Miles each, according to the official Japanese Nintendo website. Red, yellow, and blue snorkels have been spotted in official screenshots so far.
- Jump (or somersault) into the ocean, swim around, dive for sea creatures, and maybe even receive some wise words “maaaaan”
- Donate sea creatures such as sea stars, sea anenomes, spotted garden eels, plus more to the museum
- Any donations will be exhibited in the aquarium section of the museum alongside the fish
- Pascal the ‘philosophical’ otter will make a return and might be encountered whilst you are diving for deep sea creatures
- Pascal may request to trade some of any creatures you find in retunr for DIY recipes for furniture items
- The pretty mermaid-themed furniture introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf returns in the form of the DIY recipes obtained by Pascal. Whilst the names of individual pieces of furniture have not yet been announced, you can view a list of the types of mermaid furniture here.
- Gulliver has seemingly turned into a pirate… (Nobody even knows what’s happening here, it is Gulliver after all…). Sailor, astronaut, pirate, make up your mind birdbrain! And get a Sat Nav! Please!
- ‘Wave’ ๐ (sorry) one of the free summer update will be available on July 3rd. The second part of the free update will be downloadable at the beginning of August 2020.
Rumored Features:
- Ninji, a dataminer who has taken to Twitter to share his Animal Crossing: New Horizons theories, believes the following features will eventually appear in an update. I am inclined to believe him, as he was spot on with the Museum art gallery, the ‘return‘ of ‘Jolly’ Redd, and now the ability to go swimming.
- According to a ‘leek’ ๐โโ๏ธ of Ninji’s, players could be able to plant vegetables in a future update. If he’s correct, we may soon be growing tomatoes, wheat, sugar cane, potatoes (Henry is disgusted and appalled FYI ๐), carrots, pumpkins, and potentially more. ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐
- Ninji added that the vegetables you grow can be sold, but more importantly, could play a part in an exciting new gameplay feature. Fans may soon be able to prepare dishes to help with stamina or sweeten up islanders with gifts. Sound like Stardew Valley anyone? ๐๐พ๐ฝ๏ธ
- This brings us onto the possibility of seafood. The summer update has obviously now confirmed deep sea creatures. However, a short while back a datamine uncovered a โSeafoodโ Critterpedia file containing 33 items not currently in the game. Therefore, if a cooking feature was implemented, it seems reasonable that seafood could be part of it.
(Deep sea creatures confirmed so far) - Correct in regards to the art gallery museum upgrade and return of the shady NPC Redd, dataminer Ninja believes that the museum still has more to give. If correct, we could be seeing a museum gift shop, and two standalone museum-related buildings. These are thought to be a cafe (which will hopefully mean the return of Brewster), and a building featuring a Gyroid section! Naturally, this would mean the return of the
Jedislightly creepy gyroids.
- And on the topic of buildings, let’s talk shop(s) ๐๏ธ. Within the game’s code, Ninja discovered files suggesting shops/buildings such as a gallery, a real estate agent, a gardening store, and the aforementioned museum shop. Could the addition of a real estate agent mean the return of Kyle? Or maybe his niece Lottie? If so, this guy will be displeased: ๐
- The firework art that features at the end of the wave 1 update suggests that the summer Fireworks Show could be coming back with a ‘bang’ ๐. I’ll let myself out. ๐ช๐ถโโ๏ธ
- May 15, 2020
April. May and June has introduced a variety of new critters for players to catch. One of these, is the popular snapping turtle. One reason for the creature’s popularity, is that unlike other critters, they bizzarely don’t have tanks. This gives the illusion that they are free-roaming. Therefore, people are creating habitats for them and keeping them as pets.
Some people have even taken things to the next level and filled entire rooms in their houses with them. (PETA most probably definitely disapproves of your in-game shenaningans btw. Smh at you all, SMH) ๐.
Another reason, is that the reptiles fetch a pretty penny, especially when sold to C.J. during his visits. However, you may be wondering, how do I catch one? I had no clue either, but after some extensive research, here are some tips on how to catch a snapping turtle in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Will I need a net or a fishing rod to catch one?
Although the snapping turtle is tecnhnically a reptile, and not a fish, you will still need a fishing rod to catch one.
Where can they be found?
Snapping turtles can only be found in rivers, so you won’t ‘snap one up’ in ponds or the ocean (sorry not sorry).
When can they be caught?
If you are wondering why you still haven’t caught yourself a snapping turtle, this could be why:
Time of day:
The creatures are night owls, (rather like Blathers), and only come out between 9pm and 4am.
Time of year:
The snapping turtle is present from April to October in the Northern Hemisphere.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the snapping reptiles are present between October to April instead.
How rare are snapping turtles?
They are relatively uncommon, therefore it may take a little while to
bagpocket one. Especially when taking into consideration the below fish shadow information. โฌ๏ธWhat do their shadows look like in rivers?
The fish shadow of a snapping turtle is pretty large. It has a shadow size of 5, making it one of the larger ‘fish’ in the game. Unfortunately, it’s shadow is also the same size as a sea bass. Therefore you may have to endure a few of the sea bass’s terrible pun before you nab yourself your turtle.
“I caught a sea bass! No, wait- it’s at least a C+!” ๐ – Sea bass pun
If I catch one, what should I do with it?
You should probably donate your first one to the museum. When donating the snapping turtle, or asking Blathers for more information about it, he will initially remain professional. This doesn’t last for very long though, and he’ll soon go on to tell you an amusing anecdote:
“The snapping turtle is a large turtle known for it’s crocodile-like body and long claws. No, waitโit is better known for it’s ferocious bite, which it can deliver with shocking speed for a turtle. NO, WAITโit is BEST known for that time one chased me across a parking lot and I had to climb on top of a car.”
After making the wise decision to donate your first specimin, you can then choose to either keep following catches as pets, or whether to sell them.
Will they bite or wander off?
No, the closest they will come to ‘biting you’, is opening their mouth wide and hissing at you if you interact with one using the A button. And no need to worry about misplacing your turtle, as they will stay in the spot that you placed them in. Essentially, they are like the other critters in tanks as they are fixed to one spot. However, they are unique in that they have no visible containment, and players can interact with them (albeit hostilely). *hiss*
How much do they sell for?
Nook’s Cranny will buy snapping turtles for 5,000 bells each.
C.J. will buy snapping turtles for 7,500 bells each. Therefore if you’d like to make a few extra bells, it’s worth holding on to any you want to sell until C.J. visits.
Some ideas for cute habitats if you decide to keep one or two, (
or maybe ten) as pets:NOT ten. Don’t do itttt! ๐ถ Our house, in the middle of our
riverstreet ๐ถ๐ขSomebody’s gotta step in for Katrina ๐
Credit to Aubrey Beall from Facebook for this hilarious image. I think this fortune telling turtle is a pessimist. But how does it tell fortunes if it can’t move to spin the wheel ๐ค. I smell a rat ๐. Oh wait, it’s just the stinky snapping turtle… ๐ Improvise, Adapt, Overcome! If the Animal Crossing fanbase want something, they will get it, even if it means being creative. ๐ช
Credit to Cassandra Brown from Facebook for this great setup for her pet turtles. If Nintendo won’t bring us pets, we can and WILL improvise (even though the game is already based around animals..). But that is irrelevant! The sign may as well say ‘Mess with the turtle, and you’ll get hurt-le’ ๐
Credit to Annie Greene from Facebook for this awesome snapping turtle setup. Also a big thank you for the heads up with the sign, which translates to ‘staying alert’, ‘staying in control’ and ‘saving lives’ (by under no circumstances touching the turtles, unless it’s absolutely necessary, then you may, but only one at a time, and 2 metres social distancing must be maintained from others wanting to touch the turtles). ๐ And on a final (mostly) wholesome note, here is Sherb reading a snapping turtle a bedtime story owo
But let’s be honest, it would probably have decimated the book and had a nice munch on Sherb’s arm if the game wasn’t rated E for Everyone (you can see it in its eyes I tell you). I don’t think amputation counts as comic mischief. So yes, the turtle is definitely enjoying a nice wholesome bedtime story like a good boi
and not plotting the unsuspecting Sherb’s demise.If you can work out how many times I said ‘snapping turtle’ or ‘turtle’ in the article you will get good fortune from the fortune telling turtle (providing he’s not in a snappy mood, which is never, making this prize redundant). I don’t even know the answer myself, but I feel like it’s a lot and am intrigued.
A big thank you to Charlotte Jones for allowing me to visit her awesome island, Buttercup, letting me take some photos of her beautiful turtle habitat, and allowing MyPotatoGames to use an image. Her turtle habitat is the featured image for this article, shown at the top of the page. ๐
- Apr 24, 2020
The recent Animal Crossing: New Horizons update contains some exciting features. One of which, is the ability to expand your museum and have an art gallery section! Another feature is the return of special NPC Redd, who is an untrustworthy Kitsune, or fox. Redd is essential in order to add an art gallery wing to your museum. Here’s how to unlock the museum’s art gallery and Jolly Redd’s Treasure Trawler In Animal Crossing: New Horizons. And some tips on how to spot fake artwork too…
About Redd
Redd has been around since the very conception of the franchise, appearing in Animal Forest (Dลbutsu no Mori) back in 2001. Since then, he has appeared in every single mainline and non-mainline game in the franchise. Redd is notorious for selling counterfeit and overpriced items, deceiving players, and having a passive-aggressive attitude. Therefore, his return in New Horizons may be controversial. But love him or hate him, he’s back, essential for the museum expansion, and is just as sketchy as ever.
How To Unlock The Museum Expansion
- You’ll firstly need to make sure you’ve downloaded the 23rd April update, and are now on version 1.2.0.
- After the update, head to the museum and speak with Blathers. He should inform you that he’s contemplating adding an art gallery to the museum. However, you’ll need to bring him a piece of art in order to initiate this expansion.
- If he doesn’t mention anything about an expansion, an issue I was puzzled by, you likely have not yet donated enough specimens to the museum. (Theories suggest that 30 fossils, fish, or bugs need to have been donated, but this is unconfirmed).
- Try making a few more donations and speak to Blathers again. This resolved the issue for me.
- As mentioned, the next step to unlocking the art gallery is locating a piece of art to donate. If you’re wondering where you’re meant to find some art, be patient.
Redd’s Part In Unlocking The Museum’s Art Gallery
- The following day, Isabelle
does a heccin concernwill worriedly announce that a suspicious character has been spotted roaming the island. This will be Redd. She will warn you of his dodgy dealings, but reassures residents he hasn’t been known to harm others.
- Next, you will need to find the fiendish fox. Once you have, you will be able to purchase a random piece of artwork from him.
- He will initially try and sell it to you for an extorionate price, but both of your dialogue options will make him lower the price.
- As smooth-talking as ever, he explains that he’ll lower the price as you’re basically family. (I hope not…)
- It has been assumed that the first piece of artwork you buy from him will always be genuine (mine was). Once you have obtained a piece of art, take it to Blathers at the museum.
- This will then allow you to expand the museum and have an added art gallery section.
- The museum will be closed the next day for renovations. The day after that, it will be completed and ready to explore. Like with the completion of most projects in the game, you will be able to host a ceremony, celebrating the museum’s expansion. All of your islanders will be in attendance. Although the attentiveness of certain characters is another question…
After asking Blathers to say a FEW words, Tom Nook falls asleep! Apologize to the waffling, nocturnal, entomophobiac owl immediately you absolute meanie! ? - The art gallery section of the expanded museum can be seen below.
About ‘Jolly Redd’s Treasure Trawler’
- After the renovations to expand the museum are complete, Redd will again visit your island.
- Redd will possibly have hinted to you in his previous visit that he’s recently obtained a trawler. (you can almost see the dodgy dealing cogs whirring in his brain).
- Sure enough, if you locate him a second time on your island (after the museum has been expanded), he will divulge his intentions.
- He will invite you to his trawler, which is located on the secret beach to the north of your island. Here, you will be able to buy furniture and fake and genuine artwork.
- Whilst the Jolly Redd’s Treasure Trawler is most definitely sketchy, you should go ahead and visit after the invitation anyway.
- Upon entering, he will explain that you can buy as much of the furniture he has on offer as you like. However, you will only be able to buy one piece of artwork from him each time he visits.
- He will visit randomly like other merchants such as Kicks and Leif, but will always be docked at the secret beach.
- The music that plays in his trawler and the flag logo on his ship are reminiscent from my Wild World gameplay. His trawler is also very dimly lit. So the sketchy vibe is as pertinent as ever, and will be uneasily nostalgic for many players.
How To Spot Fake Art
- Just like in previous games, Redd will sell fake art as well as genuine pieces.
- Blathers will not accept fake art, and forged pieces won’t sell for much at Nook’s Cranny either. Therefore be sure that you are buying genuine art when visiting his ‘Jolly Redd’s Treasure Trawler’.
- A handy feature when browsing the art Redd has on offer is the ability to zoom in on the piece. This works much like the camera app on your NookPhone.
(This one is a fake. There are a couple of people missing from the middle left part of the painting) - If you’re like me, and have no clue on how to spot fakes, then you’re in luck. A Reddit guide has already been compiled to help people distinguish between fake art and genuine art.
Anger at uncovering a fake - This Reddit guide will show you the subtle differences between fake and genuine artwork. And with the nifty zoom option, you can be sure to always buy solely legit pieces of art from your so-called ‘cuz’.
- Some pieces of art, such as the Perfect Painting and Warm Painting will always be legitimate. The aforementioned ‘Redd’-it guide also handily informs you of the names of the artwork that will never be forgeries.
I’ll let myself out.
