You do not need a Nintendo Online subscription to play the main Animal Crossing games, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, you will need it for some online features.
What Animal Crossing games require Nintendo Online?
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons requires Nintendo Online for:
- Online multiplayer: Playing with friends online.
- Island visitors: Allowing other players to visit your island.
- Trading items: Trading items with friends.
- Downloading DLC: Accessing the Happy Home Paradise DLC.
- Downloading updates: Downloading new features and bug fixes.
- Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp requires Nintendo Online for:
- Playing with friends: Joining your friends' camps.
- Trading items: Trading items with friends.
- Downloading updates: Downloading new features and bug fixes.
What Animal Crossing games do not require Nintendo Online?
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf for Nintendo 3DS does not require Nintendo Online for any features.
- Animal Crossing: Wild World for Nintendo DS does not require Nintendo Online for any features.
- Animal Crossing for GameCube does not require Nintendo Online for any features.
Conclusion:
You can enjoy most of the Animal Crossing games offline, but you will need Nintendo Online for online features like multiplayer and trading.
