With the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, I find myself grappling with an unexpected existential dilemma: facing my long-neglected Animal Crossing villagers. Like so many others during the lockdown era, I found solace and connection in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It became a safe space where I could spend late nights with my best friend in Japan, navigate shared anxieties, and embrace a whimsical escape filled with community and creativity.

From silly squabbles with my villagers to Tom Nook’s laid-back yet relentless capitalism, the game offered a comforting rhythm. Did I absolutely need a brick pizza oven and flatscreen for my Venetian maximalist island cottage? Of course. Over time, relationships blossomed. Pashmina, my first neighbor, and I went from frenemies sabotaging each other's homes to unexpected companions. My island became a haven—a place for starry wishes alongside Celeste, quirky chats with Lucky the mummy dog, and endless adventures among the orange groves.

But as the world reopened, my island began to feel more like a chore than a retreat. The weeds became overwhelming, art collections were left unfinished, and villagers started noticing my absence. The guilt of seeing some leave, like goth mom Mathilda and her baby, kept me from logging back in. I feared the worst: finding Lucky gone or my beloved holiday cottage buried under piles of weeds.

At one point, I returned for a stint working at the vacation resort—it was very White Lotus, and I felt like Belinda for a while. But that, too, couldn’t hold my attention for long. Now, with the option to transfer my island to the new Nintendo Switch, I’m torn. Without news of a new Animal Crossing installment on the horizon, I hesitate to face the line of questioning from villagers about my long absence or their possible despair at being left in limbo.

Deleting the island feels unthinkable—how could I erase those memories and friendships? For now, I let my island wait, suspended in time. Perhaps there will be a new Animal Crossing game someday, allowing me to reconnect and build new memories. Until then, my villagers will remain in the in-between, and I'll tell myself they believe I moved to greener pastures. Wouldn't it be lovely if I could one day visit them again, just as they've done so many times for me?

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