A useful bug became a feature in Animal Crossing: New Horizon’s latest update

By Don Reisinger July 30, 2020

Nintendo added back a bug it removed earlier this month from Animal Crossing: New Horizons after players said they actually wanted it to be part of the game.

The game company quietly added the ability to remove the head-up display (HUD) from Animal Crossing: New Horizons in its latest Version 1.4 Summer Update. When players press the right analog stick down, they’ll be able to remove all on-screen overlays to give them a clear view of the game’s characters and environment.

Earlier this month, Nintendo updated Animal Crossing: New Horizons with a variety of bug fixes, including one that removed the ability to nix the HUD. Soon after, players took to Twitter, Reddit, and Nintendo forums to decry the move and say that it was a useful feature. Many players said they would often remove the HUD when they were using the title’s NookPhone Camera app to take screen captures and record game footage.

Nintendo didn’t acknowledge the bug removal and didn’t respond after the outcry surfaced. In release notes accompanying the update on Thursday, Nintendo only said that it added the feature to the NookPhone Camera app without acknowledging that it previously removed it.

Nintendo has not responded to a Digital Trends request for comment on why it added back the HUD-removal feature.

In addition to the new camera feature, Nintendo’s Version 1.4 Summer Update includes a new seasonal event called Fireworks Show that will allow players to watch in-game fireworks events each Sunday in August. The update also includes new seasonal items in Nook Shopping and the ability to back up game save data to Nintendo’s cloud storage. Players will also find new dream sequences that let them explore the world and visit each other’s islands.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched on the Nintendo Switch in March and quickly became an international success. Digital Trends gaming editor Lisa Marie Segarra reviewed the game in March and awarded it four stars out of five and an Editors’ Choice award.

“New Horizons is packed with delight,” Segarra wrote in the review. “It’s fun, with rare cross-generation appeal.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Don Reisinger is a freelance technology, video game, and entertainment journalist. He has been writing about the world of…

Gaming

All new features coming in the Minecraft Caves and Cliffs 2 update

A mountain with a snowcapped peak.

When it originally launched, or even before that during the lengthy early access period, Minecraft was already effectively an endless game. You could build, craft, fight, and transform the world for as long as your creativity, free time, and patience allowed. Heck, you could even run in a single direction and never hit a wall. But Mojang wasn't satisfied with that, and over the years has only added more content to this already limitless game. We've gotten new animals, environments, weapons, monsters, systems, and everything in between to add yet more depth to this insanely popular game.

We already got a giant update in the Caves and Cliffs addition, but the second part of it is fast approaching. This update, also known as 1.18, will complete the pair and add in plenty of new changes that will impact the entire Minecraft world. There's a lot to look forward to in this coming update, but also a few things missing, so if you want to plan out how to tackle all the new content, here are all the new features coming in the Minecraft Caves and Cliffs 2 update.

Gaming

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Turkey Day guide

Animal-Crossing-New-Horizons-Cook

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is celebrating the second Turkey Day event this year on November 25. Seasonal events are some of the most exciting reasons to jump back into the game for their unique and time-limited tasks, but mostly for the special rewards you can earn that you otherwise couldn't get your hands on. With the most recent 2.0 patch and DLC already having been released and marking the end of any substantial additions coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, these events are even more important to participate in to keep the game, and your island, feeling fresh.

Turkey Day is a not-too-subtle reference to Thanksgiving but renamed so that players around the world will be able to associate with it. Also, the key new character for Turkey Day is himself a turkey, so the name feels quite appropriate. Last year offered a ton of great rewards for helping to whip up some seasonal dishes, and we expect this year to be quite similar. However, with cooking now being a part of the normal gameplay, there may be a few surprises in store when the 25th rolls around. If you want to get a (turkey) leg up on what to expect from this year's Turkey Day in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, here's a full guide on how to prepare.

Gaming

The best Animal Crossing games, ranked from best to worst

My New Horizons character dances next to her satellite farm.

The Animal Crossing games have always had a dedicated fanbase. It wasn't until Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrived on the Nintendo Switch, however, that the series exploded in popularity. This cute life-simulation series speaks to the more laid-back crowd, somewhere between a game like the Sims and a Harvest Moon-style game. While each game does mix things up, adding new mechanics and ways to express yourself and explore, the core concept has always been about taking your time, making friends, and living out a peaceful life in these bright and colorful worlds. Oh, and paying off the massive debt you always seem to get dumped on you by Tom Nook, of course.

Animal Crossing began on the N64 in Japan, but the first time we got to experience this lovely series was on the GameCube in 2001. Including the debut entry, only eight titles in the series have been made across various systems. While this is a small number compared to some other Nintendo franchises, such as Zelda or Mario, each game can be played almost endlessly. The number of things to do, make, decorate, and more makes it hard not to get hooked on these games. Whether you're a seasoned villager or looking for a new game to relax with, we've taken all of the Animal Crossing games and ranked them from best to worst.