Animal Crossing's charm lies partly in its slow, deliberate pace. But what if you want to speed things up? Time travel, while technically against the spirit of the game, offers a way to accelerate progress, complete collections faster, and even manipulate events. This guide will explain how to time travel in Animal Crossing, the potential benefits, and the drawbacks you should consider.
What is Time Traveling in Animal Crossing?
Time traveling in Animal Crossing involves manually adjusting your Nintendo Switch's system clock to a future date and time. This instantly jumps your in-game clock forward, allowing you to experience days, weeks, or even months in a matter of seconds. This can be incredibly useful for various aspects of the game.
How to Time Travel in Animal Crossing: Step-by-Step
The process is surprisingly straightforward:
- Access System Settings: From your Nintendo Switch's home screen, navigate to "System Settings."
- Adjust System Date & Time: Find the option for "System," then "Date & Time."
- Change the Date and Time: Switch the option for "Synchronize Clock via Internet" to "OFF." This is crucial. Now, you can manually adjust the date and time to your desired future point.
- Return to Animal Crossing: Launch your Animal Crossing game. The game will recognize the new time and update accordingly.
Important Note: This works for both Animal Crossing: New Horizons and other games in the series, although the specific menu navigation might vary slightly.
What are the Benefits of Time Traveling?
Time traveling offers several advantages:
- Faster Island Development: Quickly grow flowers, trees, and other plants.
- Rapid Turnip Trading: Maximize profits by buying turnips at a low price and selling them during a high-price period.
- Complete Collections Faster: Collect all the bugs, fish, and fossils more quickly.
- Skip Waiting Periods: Bypass long waiting times for construction, crafting, or events.
What are the Drawbacks of Time Traveling?
Despite its conveniences, time traveling has potential downsides:
- Missed Events: You might miss daily or time-sensitive events and interactions.
- Stunted Game Progression: The gradual pace of Animal Crossing contributes to its charm; rushing through it can diminish the experience.
- Potential Bugs: While rare, significant time jumps can occasionally cause glitches or unforeseen problems within the game.
- Loss of the “Natural” Experience: A core element of Animal Crossing's appeal is its organic progression. Time travel removes that.
What Happens if I Time Travel Too Far Ahead?
Jumping too far into the future (e.g., months or years ahead) can lead to more problems. While the game will function, it can throw off the natural growth cycles, create inconsistencies, and potentially impact the behavior of villagers or the availability of certain items.
Can I Time Travel Back?
Yes, you can reverse the process. Simply change the date and time back to a point before you started time-traveling, or even to the current date and time.
How Do I Avoid Issues When Time Traveling?
To minimize problems:
- Small Time Jumps: Instead of large leaps, opt for smaller time jumps (e.g., one day at a time).
- Save Regularly: Ensure you frequently save your game progress to mitigate data loss if anything unexpected occurs.
- Be Mindful of Events: Check the in-game calendar to be aware of any scheduled events before time traveling.
Is Time Traveling Cheating?
Ultimately, whether or not time traveling is "cheating" is a matter of personal perspective. The developers haven't explicitly forbidden it, but it undoubtedly alters the intended gameplay experience.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of time travel in Animal Crossing, weighing both its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use this technique rests solely with the individual player. Remember to enjoy the game in a way that suits your preferences.
