Time Travelling in Animal Crossing: New Horizons - A Comprehensive Guide

Travel through time and customize your island paradise with the ingenious time-traveling feature in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Embark on an exciting journey to shape your island, collect rare items, and experience different seasons in an instant.

Unlocking Time Travel

Unleash the power of time travel by following these simple steps:

1. Complete the Main Quest: Progress through the game's main storyline until you've donated 60 fossils to the museum.
2. Build a Bridge: Construct a bridge to provide access to the secret area behind the museum.
3. Interact with a Rock: Behind the museum, interact with the large rock that appears between 5 AM and 5 PM.

Changing the Date and Time

Once time travel is unlocked, you can alter the date and time on your Nintendo Switch system. Remember, time travel is only possible by manipulating your real-time clock.

Changing the Date

To change the date, select "System Settings" from the Nintendo Switch Home Menu. Go to "System" > "Date and Time" and toggle off "Synchronize Clock via Internet." Enter your desired date.

Changing the Time

To change the time, close the date settings and access the game's title screen. Press the "-" button to enter the settings menu. Under "Settings," select "Game Options." Navigate to "Time" and adjust the time accordingly.

Benefits of Time Travelling

Time travel opens up a world of possibilities in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Take advantage of the following benefits:

• Seasonal Events: Visit your island during different seasons to experience unique events, catch exclusive fish and insects, and collect seasonal items.
• Museum Donations: Travel back in time to donate fossils and insects unavailable during the current season.
• Shop Item Availability: Time travel to different dates to purchase limited-edition seasonal items from Nook's Cranny and the Able Sisters.
• Turnip Market Manipulation: Buy turnips on Sundays and travel forward in time to sell them at higher prices.

Tips and Tricks

Master time travel with these helpful tips:

• Save Before Travelling: Create a backup save file before changing the date and time to avoid any potential glitches.
• Use Irregular Intervals: Don't time travel too frequently or by large increments, as it can cause glitches and data loss.
• Check for Events: Before travelling, use event calendars to identify upcoming events on your island.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Time travel can be a double-edged sword. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Excessive Time Travelling: Travelling too often or by significant amounts can corrupt your save data.
• Forgetting to Save: Neglecting to create a backup save can lead to permanent data loss.
• Missing Villagers: Time travel can cause villagers to pack their belongings and leave your island.

FAQs

Q: Can I time travel backwards to collect missed items?
A: Yes, you can travel back in time to retrieve seasonal items and events.

Q: Does time travel affect the progression of buildings and infrastructure?
A: Time travel does not affect permanent structures like bridges, houses, or the museum.

Q: Can I time travel to get rare items faster?
A: While time travelling can streamline the collection process, it's important to avoid excessive use to prevent glitches.

Q: How often should I time travel?
A: Time travel infrequently and in small increments. Avoid making drastic date or time changes.

Q: Can I use time travel to cheat in online multiplayer?
A: Time travel in online multiplayer is strongly discouraged and can lead to penalties.

Why Time Travel Matters

Time travel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons empowers players with unprecedented control over their island experiences. It enables them to explore seasonal events, collect exclusive items, and shape their island paradise according to their own design.

Conclusion

Time travel is a powerful tool that enhances the gameplay of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. By understanding the principles, benefits, and potential pitfalls, players can harness the power of time to maximize their enjoyment of the game.