On what date was Animal Crossing: New Horizons released worldwide?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released worldwide on March 20, 2020.

The game launched for Nintendo Switch as the first mainline Animal Crossing title designed specifically for that console. Nintendo had announced a new Switch entry in 2018 and initially targeted 2019, but the release was delayed so the development team could complete the game. The eventual date was the same calendar date for its worldwide launch, although local store and eShop access could vary slightly by time zone.

New Horizons begins with the player joining Tom Nook’s package-tour program and moving to a deserted island. That setting distinguished it from earlier games, which generally placed players in established villages. Players could gather materials, craft tools and furniture, terraform the island, and invite animal residents to move in.

The date is sometimes confused with regional launch dates for older Animal Crossing games, which often arrived months or years apart outside Japan. New Horizons was a global release, so March 20, 2020 is the canonical worldwide date.