Have you ever found yourself stuck in a monotonous loop with your Animal Crossing island? The same old faces, the same old routines – the thrill of exploration has somehow dwindled into a predictable cycle. If you’re yearning for a fresh start in this beloved virtual world, restarting the game might just be the rejuvenating elixir you need. But before you bid farewell to your current island, take a deep breath and delve into this comprehensive guide to ensure a seamless transition.
The decision to restart your Animal Crossing journey is not one to be taken lightly. It’s a chance to shed the past and embrace new possibilities, but it also means leaving behind cherished memories and progress. So, before you take the plunge, weigh the pros and cons carefully. Consider your reasons for wanting to restart – are you yearning for a new challenge, or do you simply feel like your island has reached a creative dead end? Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to prepare for the exciting adventure that lies ahead.
The process of restarting Animal Crossing is straightforward, but there are a few steps you’ll need to take to ensure a smooth transition. First, make sure you save your game by talking to Tom Nook. Then, go to the Settings menu and select “Delete Save Data.” Confirm your decision, and the game will automatically restart. Remember, this action is irreversible, so make sure you’re absolutely certain before proceeding. With a fresh slate, you can now embark on a new Animal Crossing adventure, filled with endless possibilities and the thrill of the unknown.
Resetting Your Game
Before you decide to reset your Animal Crossing: New Horizons game, it’s important to carefully consider the implications. Once you reset your game, all of your progress, including your island layout, villagers, and items, will be permanently erased. However, there are two main ways to reset your game, each with its own consequences:
Restarting Your Island
This option will delete all of your in-game data, including your island layout, villagers, items, and progress. However, it will not affect your Nintendo Switch user account or any other Animal Crossing games that you may have. To restart your island, follow these steps:
- Open the game and select the “Settings” tab on the main menu.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select “Delete Island Data.”
- Read the warning message carefully and select “Yes” to confirm.
- Select “Restart” to create a new island.
Deleting Your User Data
This option will delete all of your Animal Crossing data, including your save files for all Animal Crossing games that you have on your Nintendo Switch. It will also delete any other user data associated with your Nintendo Switch user account. To delete your user data, follow these steps:
| Action | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Go to the Nintendo Switch Home Menu. | |
| Select “System Settings.” | |
| Scroll down and select “Users.” | |
| Select your user account. | |
| Scroll down and select “Delete User.” | |
| Enter your PIN if prompted. | |
| Select “Delete User” again to confirm. |
Note: Once you have reset your game, you will not be able to recover any of your lost progress.
Archiving Saved Data
Before resetting your island, it’s crucial to preserve your game progress. Animal Crossing supports data archiving to safeguard your in-game data, including your character, home, items, and achievements. Here are the steps for archiving your saved data:
- Select “Settings” from the home screen of your Nintendo Switch.
- Under “Data Management,” choose “Save Data Cloud Backup.”
- Toggle the switch next to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” to enable cloud backup. Your saved data will be automatically uploaded to the Nintendo Switch Online cloud service.
Additionally, you can create a local backup of your saved data on your Nintendo Switch. To do this, follow these steps:
- Select “Data Management” from the Settings menu.
- Choose “Manage Save Data” and then “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”
- Select “Copy Save Data” and choose a destination for the backup, such as the microSD card or internal storage.
By creating both a cloud and local backup, you ensure that your saved data is safe in case of any unexpected events. Once your data is archived, you can reset your island in Animal Crossing without losing your progress.
| Backup Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Cloud Backup | Enable cloud backup in the Save Data Cloud Backup settings. |
| Local Backup | Navigate to Manage Save Data and choose Copy Save Data. |
Using Cloud Backup
Cloud Backup is a feature in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that allows you to back up your game data to the cloud. This can be useful if you want to protect your progress in case your Nintendo Switch is lost, stolen, or damaged.
To use Cloud Backup, you will need to link your Nintendo Switch Online account to your Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Once you have done this, you can enable Cloud Backup by going to the Settings menu and selecting the “Data Management” tab.
There are two types of Cloud Backup available:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Automatic Backup | Your game data will be backed up automatically every day. |
| Manual Backup | You can manually back up your game data at any time. |
To manually back up your game data, go to the Settings menu and select the “Data Management” tab. Then, select the “Back Up Island Data” option. You will be prompted to confirm that you want to back up your data. Once you have confirmed, the backup process will begin.
If you need to restore your game data from a Cloud Backup, you can do so by going to the Settings menu and selecting the “Data Management” tab. Then, select the “Restore Island Data” option. You will be prompted to confirm that you want to restore your data. Once you have confirmed, the restore process will begin.
Restarting From Scratch
If you’re looking to start over with a clean slate in Animal Crossing, you can restart your game from scratch. Here’s how:
1. Back Up Your Data
Before you restart your game, be sure to back up your save data. This will allow you to restore your progress if you change your mind or if something goes wrong.
2. Delete Your Save Data
Once you’ve backed up your data, you can delete your save data. To do this, go to the System Settings menu and select “Data Management.” Then, select “Delete Save Data” and choose Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
3. Start a New Game
Once you’ve deleted your save data, you can start a new game. To do this, simply launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons and follow the on-screen prompts.
4. Customize Your Island
Once you’ve started a new game, you’ll be able to customize your island. This includes choosing the layout of your land, the name of your island, and the flag that represents your island.
5. Set Up Your Home
After you’ve customized your island, you’ll need to set up your home. This includes choosing the location of your house, the style of your house, and the furniture that you want to put inside your house. You can also customize the exterior of your house by adding a fence, a mailbox, and other decorations.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps for restarting your game from scratch:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Back up your save data. |
| 2 | Delete your save data. |
| 3 | Start a new game. |
| 4 | Customize your island. |
| 5 | Set up your home. |
Starting a New Profile
To begin a brand-new adventure on your island, you’ll need to create a new profile. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
1. Open the Title Screen
Start by turning on your Nintendo Switch and launching the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.
2. Select “New Game”
On the title screen, choose the “New Game” option to start the profile creation process.
3. Select Your Character
Customize your character’s appearance by choosing their gender, skin tone, hairstyle, and facial features.
4. Choose Your Name
Enter a unique name for your character that will be used throughout the game.
5. Select Your Island’s Name
Choose a creative name for your deserted island that will act as the setting for your adventures.
6. Choose Your Starting Location
Decide on the starting location of your tent on the island. You can select from four different beachside areas:
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| North | Tranquil beach with a view of the ocean to the south |
| East | Secluded cove with a small stream running nearby |
| South | Spacious beach with a rocky outcropping overlooking the sea |
| West | Cozy cove with a waterfall and a small peninsula |
Reinstalling the Game
1. Create a Backup of Your Island
Before reinstalling the game, it’s crucial to create a backup of your island to preserve your progress. To do this, connect to the internet and head to your island’s airport. Talk to Orville at the counter and select “I want to visit someone.” Then, choose “Via online play.” Once you’re prompted to create a Dodo Code, hit “Send to Friends” and send yourself the code.
2. Uninstall the Game
Once you’ve made a backup, you can uninstall Animal Crossing: New Horizons from your console. Go to the main menu, select the game icon, press the “+” button, and choose “Manage software.” Select “Delete software” and confirm your choice.
3. Reinstall the Game
After uninstalling the game, you can reinstall it from the Nintendo eShop. Select “Nintendo Switch Online,” then choose “My Games” and locate Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Click on the “Download” button to initiate the installation process.
4. Restore Your Island
Once the game is reinstalled, you can restore your island from the backup you created earlier. Connect to the internet and head to the airport. Talk to Orville at the counter and select “I want to visit someone.” Then, choose “Online play” and select the “Invite via Dodo Code” option. Enter the Dodo Code you sent to yourself earlier and select “Invite via Dodo Code” again. Your friends will then be able to join your island and assist you in restoring your data.
5. Transfer Characters and Items
If you have multiple characters or items on your island, you’ll need to transfer them manually. To transfer characters, have your friend visit your island and talk to Tom Nook at Resident Services. Select “Talk about moving” and choose the character you want to move. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
6. Gather Your Belongings
To transfer items, gather all the belongings you want to move into your pockets. Then, have your friend visit your island and open a storage shed. Deposit the items into the shed, and your friend can retrieve them when they return to their own island.
7. Clean Up and Customize Your Island
After restoring your island, you may need to clean up any messes or weeds that have overgrown during your absence. Additionally, you can take this opportunity to customize your island further by placing new furniture, landscaping, and decorations. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity shine through!
Factory Resetting Your System
Warning: This will erase all data on your console, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Back up your data before proceeding.
To factory reset your system, follow these steps:
1. Turn on your Nintendo Switch console.
2. From the HOME Menu, select “System Settings.”
3. Scroll down and select “System.”
4. Scroll down and select “Formatting Options.”
5. Select “Initialize Console.”
6. Read the warning message and select “Next.”
7. Select “Initialize Console” again to confirm.
8. The system will now perform a factory reset. This may take several minutes.
Note: If you have a physical copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you will need to reinsert the game card after the factory reset is complete.
If you have a digital copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you will need to redownload the game from the Nintendo eShop.
After the factory reset is complete, you can restart Animal Crossing: New Horizons and create a new island.
Contacting Nintendo Support
Phone Support:
You can contact Nintendo’s phone support at 1-800-255-3700. Their support hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM PST, and Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM PST.
Email Support:
You can also contact Nintendo’s support team via email at [email protected] Please provide a detailed description of your issue and be sure to include your Nintendo Switch serial number.
Live Chat Support:
Nintendo also offers live chat support. To access live chat support, visit Nintendo’s website and click on the “Contact Us” link. Then, select the “Live Chat” option and follow the prompts.
Additional Resources:
In addition to the contact methods listed above, Nintendo also offers a variety of online resources that can help you with your Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. These resources include:
- The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Support Page
- The Nintendo Switch Support Page
- The Nintendo Forums
You can also find helpful information about Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo’s social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
If you are still unable to resolve your issue after contacting Nintendo support, you may want to consider reaching out to the Animal Crossing community for help. There are many online forums and communities where you can connect with other Animal Crossing players and ask for advice.
| Type | Contact Method |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-255-3700 |
| [email protected] | |
| Live Chat | Nintendo’s website |
Saving Your Game
Before you restart your game, make sure to save your progress. To do this, go to the main menu and select “Save and Quit.” This will save your game data to your Switch’s internal memory.
Backing Up Your Save Data
In addition to saving your game, you can also back up your save data to the cloud. This will allow you to restore your save data if your Switch is lost or damaged.
To back up your save data, go to the main menu and select “Settings.” Then, select “Data Management” and finally “Back Up Save Data.” You can then choose to back up your save data to the cloud or to your local microSD card.
Preventing Future Data Loss
1. Back up your save data frequently.
The best way to prevent data loss is to back up your save data frequently. You can do this by going to the main menu and selecting “Settings” → “Data Management” → “Back Up Save Data.” You can choose to back up your save data to the cloud or to your local microSD card.
2. Use a surge protector.
Power surges can damage your Switch and corrupt your save data. To protect your Switch, use a surge protector when you are playing.
3. Keep your Switch cool and dry.
Extreme heat or cold can damage your Switch and corrupt your save data. Keep your Switch in a cool, dry place when you are not playing.
4. Avoid dropping your Switch.
Dropping your Switch can damage the internal components and corrupt your save data. Be careful not to drop your Switch.
5. Use a travel case.
When you are traveling with your Switch, use a travel case to protect it from bumps and scratches. This will help to prevent data loss.
6. Keep your Switch software up to date.
Nintendo regularly releases updates for the Switch software. These updates can include fixes for bugs that could lead to data loss. Keep your Switch software up to date to help prevent data loss.
7. Avoid using modified software.
Modified software can damage your Switch and corrupt your save data. Avoid using modified software on your Switch.
8. Be careful when sharing your Switch with others.
If you share your Switch with others, be careful not to let them delete your save data. Make sure to back up your save data before letting anyone else use your Switch.
9. Consider purchasing a warranty.
If you are worried about data loss, you may want to consider purchasing a warranty for your Switch. This will give you peace of mind in case your Switch is damaged or lost.
10. Be prepared to lose your save data.
Even if you take all of the precautions above, there is still a chance that you could lose your save data. This is why it is important to back up your save data frequently. If you do lose your save data, you can try to restore it from your backup.
How to Restart Animal Crossing
Gone stale with your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island? Don’t tear your hair out! To start afresh and embark on a brand new island adventure, you’ll need to delete your existing game data. Here’s how to do it:
- Start the game and choose the “Settings” option on the main menu.
- Select the “Save Data Management” option.
- Choose the “Delete Save Data” option.
- Confirm that you want to delete your save data. (This cannot be undone!)
- Restart the game to create a new island.
Note: Keep in mind that if you have multiple users on your Nintendo Switch console, each user will need to delete their own game data separately.
People Also Ask About How to Restart Animal Crossing
Can I restart Animal Crossing without losing everything?
No, you cannot restart Animal Crossing: New Horizons without losing all of your progress, including your island, villagers, and items.
What happens if I delete Animal Crossing save data?
If you delete your Animal Crossing save data, you will lose all of your progress in the game, including your island, villagers, and items. You will be able to restart the game and create a new island, but you will have to start from scratch.
How do I transfer my Animal Crossing save data to a new console?
You can transfer your Animal Crossing: New Horizons save data to a new console using the Nintendo Switch Online Cloud Backup service. This service is only available to Nintendo Switch Online members.
