How Animal Crossing: New Horizons Popularized Friend Codes

March 2020 was a month like no other. As the world reeled from the COVID-19 pandemic and a wave of troubling events in the U.S., gamers found an unexpected source of comfort: Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Released exactly five years ago this week, it became a beacon of solace for many.

Nintendo’s delightful life-sim had a heavy task, bearing more significance than ever before. Video games, especially those with a cozy feel like Stardew Valley, have long been a refuge from life’s stresses. But by 2020, the demand for relaxation skyrocketed, and New Horizons stood out as a fountain of joy. Despite the often-criticized friend code system of the Switch, the game’s robust multiplayer feature ensured that people could still invite friends and strangers alike to their islands in New Horizons.

By the close of 2024, right before the Switch 2 was announced, this charming title held the second spot as the best-selling game for Nintendo Switch, just behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It outpaced The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by a significant margin, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Nintendo’s offerings. Typically, online multiplayer games simplify connecting with others, yet Nintendo’s antiquated friend code system (and New Horizons’ temporary Dodo Code) felt almost nostalgic, like old school telegrams. Trading codes, oddly enough, became a kind of trendy.

It was as if everyone was diving into New Horizons; swapping codes meant you suddenly had a ticket to social interaction during those isolating times. Letting someone into your virtual home felt intimate, maybe even a bit risky—hoping they’d appreciate your design style while ignoring the unwanted roaches. Visits were about more than showcasing; you could explore their island, gather native fruits, shop at Timmy and Tommy’s, and capitalize on the best local turnip prices available.

Amidst financial chaos, players thrived on New Horizons’ turnip trading game. This fun twist on capitalism introduced many to the ups and downs of investments, though sometimes the losses felt all too real. With each island hosting different turnip buy and sell rates, a perfect storm of low buys and high sells turned your island into a prime target for trade, sometimes making it more coveted than ever. During those peak trading times, you could perhaps even charge real cash for a Dodo Code to your bustling island—and maybe some dared to try!

While Animal Crossing: New Horizons had the potential to delight players endlessly, I commend Nintendo for wrapping up major updates in late 2021 with version 2.0 and the Happy Home Paradise DLC, their sole paid expansion. This provided one last serving of content, allowing the game that captured both the hearts of gamers and the imagination of Nintendo to depart gracefully. Since then, I’ve retired my friend codes, but the memories linger on.