Animal Crossing: New Horizons introduces Happy Home Paradise paid DLC

Animal Crossing: New Horizons revealed the mother of all Animal Crossing Directs. In it they sadly announced that November 5th would be their final “major” DLC update for free and also introduced their first-ever paid DLC expansion. The free update is major though and included everything from new locations like The Roost, the ability to farm and cook, and many other things so you’re good.

But the paid DLC actually looks amazing too. It’s called Happy Home Paradise.

If the name sounds familiar to Animal Crossing fans, it’s because it’s heavily inspired by the stand-alone game “Happy Home Designer” for the 3DS. In Happy Home Designer you worked for a character named Lottie as part of the Happy Home Academy and designed homes for different characters using a wide array of tools and a massive catalog of furniture to complete homes of various themes.

Happy Home Paradise doesn’t seem like a huge departure from that but for $24.99 it seems to have all the features from the $60 original and then some.

To get to the island you have to go to the airport on your island and choose “I want to go to work”. From there you’ll be flown to Lottie’s Island where she’ll get you started.

Random villagers will show up and have requests for vacation homes they’d like. You sit down with them, talk about a particular theme for their home and then get started building.

Pick an island that matches the feel. Design the interior of the home using the furniture they supplied while adding more. Then use the newest design features being added to the game like partition walls, accent walls and soundscapes to make the interior everything they wanted and then some.

Afterwards go outside and design the lawn around the island to bring the whole thing together and present it to them and watch their reaction as they tour their new vacation home.

Sometimes you’ll also get moments where two villagers will want to go on vacation together and you have to find a way to merge what they want into introducing ideas (the partition walls help for this a lot).

You can also use Amiibo cards to bring special characters like Isabelle to the island as well.

Getting these jobs done will net you POKI currency which will allow you to buy new furniture, most not available previously. And maybe even a few fan-requested ones. Nintendo, don’t think you snuck that froggy chair past me.

But that’s not all. While this is the main meat and potatoes of the game, there’s so much more you can do here. Check the next page to see what else there is to do on Lottie’s Island…and your own!

As you run about Lottie’s Island you’ll notice a slew of empty buildings scattered about. In addition to all the homes you’ll be designing these buildings also need a designer but instead of it being homes, you’ll find the island in need of schools, hospitals, restaurants, and more. Not only will you be able to fully design these facilities but you’ll also be able to assign villagers as employees, teachers, doctors, and more. Finally, get Raymond the barista job you know that hipster wants.

Bringing home things like gifts from the island and giving them to the villagers on your home island will also get them interested in the idea of getting a vacation home.

As you get more work done, even more things unlock that you can take home with you. Firstly, you’ll be able to use things like wall partitions, pillars, soundscapes and more in your own home, you’ll also be able to get help from Tom Nook in spreading the word about your talent.

Villagers on your home island will want you to help them redesign their homes. You’ll be able to FULLY do this just like one of your standard clients. Redesign the exterior of their home. Set up the furniture in a way that makes more sense for them. Really drive home their individual personalities.

The Happy Home Paradise add-on is going to be released on the 5th of November along with the free update. The direct also made reference to the fact that you’ll be able to get it as a stand-alone game as well but no details were given as to how that works. But either way, it’ll be available for $24.99.

Also, Nintendo mentioned that if you get the “Expansion Pass” for their online service, Happy Home Paradise will be available for free alongside the N64 Channel and SEGA Channel.