How to Time Travel in Animal Crossing

How to Time Travel in Animal Crossing

Time traveling in Animal Crossing refers to manipulating your Nintendo Switch system clock to “fast forward” the game’s calendar and time settings into the future or revisit the past. Some key reasons players time travel in Animal Crossing include speeding up infrastructure development, accessing special seasonal events out of season, catching time-restricted bugs/fish out of normal schedule, quickly growing resources like fruit trees, and more.

Is Time Traveling Allowed in Animal Crossing?

Time traveling is a legitimate game mechanism allowed by the developers and utilization of the Switch’s internal clock settings. However, many players consider time travel “cheating” and advocate playing the game in real-time without manipulation. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences on how you wish to play. The developers have also acknowledged that players will decide for themselves whether to utilize time travel or not.

From my own experience with many Animal Crossing titles over the years, I have seen time travel used judiciously to plan towns or speed up projects, as well as excessively to rush completion of 100% of content as fast as possible. The game ultimately ends up best enjoyed as a relaxing escape that unfolds naturally, but light time travel in moderation can enhance it for some players too.

How to Time Travel Forward or Backward in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Time traveling and manipulating the clock in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch is easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Open your Switch’s System Settings menu (press the Home button on your controller and select System Settings icon)
  2. Scroll down and select System -> Date and Time
  3. Toggle “Synchronize Clock via Internet” to Off (this allows you to manually set the time)
  4. Tap Date and Time to open the adjustment interface
  5. Manually set the date and time values to whenever you wish to travel to
  6. Confirm settings change and return to the game

Upon loading or returning to your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island, the date and time in-game will now reflect the values you set. Leave this setting changed or switch “Synchronize Clock” back on after you finish time travelling to resume normal real-time progress.

Animal Crossing Time Travel Guide, Tips, and Key Effects

Time travelling in your Animal Crossing game even just a few hours backwards or forwards can have significant effects on gameplay progressions, resource growth, building development, and character behaviors. Here is a quick guide on key outcomes to expect when manipulating the clock:

From one recent example adjusting my clock settings in New Horizons, I found progression around infrastructure, home upgrades, and moving villagers was expedited. Yet engaging characters and finding rare creatures became less satisfying. Keeping play balanced works best.

  • Buildings under construction and other infrastructure projects will appear finished if you skip ahead past their timer.
  • Houses being upgraded and room additions will also instantaneously complete.
  • Villagers who are set to move in or out on certain dates can appear on your island at their scheduled moving time.
  • Going backwards will reverse resource growth like fruit regrowing on trees overnight instead of taking 3 days between harvests.
  • Seasonal foliage changes, opportunities to catch rare bugs/fish/sea creatures tied to seasons or times of day can be manipulated by changing the clock settings.
  • Special events and limited-time traveling merchants won’t actually trigger early via time travel.
  • Villagers may comment you haven’t spoken to them in a while if you time travel then return to the present after an excessively long absence.

As a general guidance, keep time traveling jumps to less than 1-2 weeks forward/backward to minimize negative social effects or difficulty triggering certain content tied strictly to real calendar dates.

Pros and Cons of Time Traveling Forward or Back in Animal Crossing

Is time travel “cheating” or a legit way to customize and optimize your Animal Crossing gameplay? As touched on earlier, fans debate this issue rather heatedly. In reality, the decision comes down to your personal preference and style. Below are some commonly cited pros and cons to weigh when considering time manipulation:

From my past island management experience across the series, I found infrequent time adjusting helpful but overusing it drained long-term enjoyment and turnips investment risk. Everything in moderation!

Pros

  • Accelerate completion of infrastructure projects like bridges without waiting days/weeks.
  • Instantly finish home expansion construction or upgrade work.
  • Speed up resource farming from fruit trees, glowing money spots, rocks, etc.
  • Manipulate seasons to catch rare fish, bugs and sea creatures during any play session.
  • Build an early holiday scene using future seasonal items then revert back to present.
  • Set an easier move-out date if a disliked villager asks to leave at an inconvenient real-life time.

Cons

  • Feeling of rushing diminishes the relaxing escapist nature that defines Animal Crossing.
  • Skipping forward weeks/months then returning can negatively impact villager friendship status.
  • Time-restricted seasonal events don’t actually trigger early.
  • Turnips you invest in from Daisy Mae will spoil if you manipulate clock before selling them.
  • Trouble catching some creatures tied to real calendar dates, like certain bug/fish availability.
  • Potentially less exciting to already have “completed” all goals via time travel manipulation.

Our Recommendation on Time Travel Usage

While the option exists in the game and the developers allow players to utilize or ignore time traveling however they wish, we firmly believe Animal Crossing is best enjoyed without excessive manipulation. Played as intended in smooth real-time, the game unfolds in a comforting, engaging progression full of surprises.

In my opinion, limiting faster than normal play keeps that signature relaxed atmosphere intact. I suggest minimal usage only if seriously needed to advance a particular goal.

That said, if you’re careful and deliberate with clock changes by just a few days to accelerate a specific task, dip into holiday items early, or revisit a missed limited-time bug/fish/creature, it likely won’t ruin overall experience. Just don’t overdo it! Animal Crossing loses its charm when rushed.

We hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview explaining what time traveling means in Animal Crossing on Nintendo Switch, exactly how to adjust the clock backwards/forwards, key effects it triggers, top reasons some utilize the tactic, arguments others have against excessive usage, and most importantly provided recommendation to play organically without rushing whenever possible. Let us know in comments your own thoughts on time manipulation in these beloved games!

How to Time Travel in Animal Crossing
Method Day Range Effects
Change System Clock Up to 30 days Weeds grow, villagers move out
Airplane Mode Up to 30 days No side effects
Close Software Up to 7 days Turnips spoil if traveling back
Time Traveling Villagers Infinite Can spread weeds, cockroaches

FAQ on Time Travel in Animal Crossing

  1. What is time travel in Animal Crossing?

    Time travel refers to changing the clock on your Nintendo Switch to a different time or date to speed things up in Animal Crossing. It lets you skip ahead instead of playing in real-time.

  2. Is time travel allowed in Animal Crossing?

    Yes, time travel is an allowed game mechanic in Animal Crossing. The developers made it an option for players who want to progress faster. However, some players prefer not to use it.

  3. What are the risks of time traveling in Animal Crossing?

    Time travel can lead to unwanted consequences like weeds overgrowing your island, villagers wanting to move out, and turnips spoiling. It also takes some of the challenge out of the game.

  4. Can I travel backwards in time in Animal Crossing?

    You can set the clock back in time, but there are more risks. Traveling backwards too far may cause villagers to move out and damage relationships you have built up.

  5. How far ahead can I safely time travel?

    Most players recommend not traveling more than 15-30 days ahead at one time. Large time jumps increase the chances of issues happening in your save file.

  6. Will time travel prevent me from experiencing events?

    No, you can still participate in holiday events and seasonal changes even if you time travel. The events will just occur sooner than they would in real-time.

  7. Can I undo the effects of time travel?

    Unfortunately, once you time travel there is no way to fully revert your save file. You have to deal with any weeds, moved out villagers, etc. Choose to time travel carefully.