Starting over in Animal Crossing can feel daunting, but it's surprisingly straightforward. Whether you're bored with your island, want a fresh design, or simply made a mistake you can't undo, this guide will walk you through the process for each Animal Crossing game. We'll cover different methods, their pros and cons, and help you decide which approach is best for you.
Why Start Over in Animal Crossing?
Before we dive into the how, let's consider the why. Many players choose to restart their Animal Crossing game for a variety of reasons:
- Island dissatisfaction: Maybe your island layout isn't working for you, or you've made landscaping choices you regret.
- Fresh start: The thrill of creating a new island from scratch can be incredibly rewarding.
- New villager lineup: If you're tired of your current villagers, a fresh start allows you to attract your dream residents.
- Missed opportunities: Perhaps you didn't get the most out of your first playthrough, and a restart offers a chance to perfect your strategies.
How to Start Over in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
There's no "reset" button in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You'll need to delete your save data to start completely fresh. This means all your progress will be lost, including your island, villagers, and items.
Steps to Delete Your Save Data (New Horizons):
- Back up your data (optional): If you're playing on a Switch that's connected to the internet, you may be able to back up your save data to the cloud. This is a wise precaution in case you change your mind later.
- Access System Settings: Navigate to "System Settings" on your Nintendo Switch home screen.
- Data Management: Select "Data Management."
- Delete Save Data: Choose "Delete Save Data," then select "Animal Crossing: New Horizons."
- Confirm Deletion: The system will prompt you to confirm that you want to delete the save data. Once confirmed, your progress will be erased.
Starting a New Game: After deleting the save data, launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You'll be prompted to create a new profile and start a brand new island.
What happens when I delete my save data?
Deleting your save data in Animal Crossing: New Horizons will remove everything: your island, your house, your villagers, your inventory, and all your progress. You'll begin the game again from the very beginning, choosing your island's appearance and starting your adventure anew.
How to Start Over in Other Animal Crossing Games
Methods for starting over vary depending on the game. While New Horizons requires deleting the save file, older games might offer in-game options or different ways to manage save data. Since the mechanics differ significantly across titles, searching for specific instructions for your version of Animal Crossing (e.g., "How to start over in Animal Crossing: Wild World") will yield the most accurate results.
Should I Really Start Over?
Before you commit to deleting your save data, consider these points:
- Consider trading villagers: If you're unhappy with specific villagers, you can try trading them with other players online instead of starting over.
- Terraforming: Experiment with terraforming your current island before resorting to a complete restart. Significant changes are possible without deleting your progress.
- Island redesign: A fresh coat of paint (literally!) can make a big difference. Focus on redesigning your current island before committing to starting over.
Starting over in Animal Crossing is a significant decision. Take your time, weigh your options, and make sure it's the right choice for you! Ultimately, the best approach depends on your goals and preferences. Remember to back up your data if possible, just in case.
