Why Friend Codes Became Popular Again Thanks to Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Back in March 2020, the world was anything but normal. With the chaos brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and a torrent of other unsettling events in the U.S., many sought refuge in an unexpected place: Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a game that landed in players’ hands five years ago this past Thursday.

Nintendo’s delightful life simulation game was suddenly tasked with lifting spirits like never before. Video games, particularly the cozy kind like Stardew Valley, have long been an escape from life’s pressures, but in 2020, the need for relaxation was at an all-time high. New Horizons offered a fountain of happiness, drawing a massive crowd. Its impressive multiplayer system managed to overcome even the cumbersome burden of the Nintendo Switch’s infamously clunky friend code system, allowing players to invite friends and even strangers to share in their New Horizons experiences.

By the close of 2024, just as anticipation for the Switch 2 was building, New Horizons proudly held its spot as the second-best selling game on the Nintendo Switch, following Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It had even outsold The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by 15 million units, cementing its status as one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises. While most popular online games make connecting with friends effortless, Nintendo’s reliance on friend codes—and the single-use Dodo Codes found in New Horizons—felt almost archaic, like using telegrams. However, for a while, exchanging these codes was all the rage.

At the time, it seemed like everyone was diving into New Horizons, and swapping friend codes was your passport to socialize in an otherwise solitary environment. Inviting someone to explore your virtual abode felt oddly personal, allowing them to appreciate your creative space (and hopefully overlook those annoying virtual cockroaches). Visits were about more than just showing off your interior design skills; they were also a chance to check out unique island layouts, collect native fruits, shop for exclusive items from Timmy and Tommy, and, of course, capitalize on favorable turnip prices.

Amidst financial uncertainties, players found themselves engrossed in New Horizons’ take on capitalism, buying and selling “stalks.” This quirky investment gameplay introduced gamers to the thrill—and risk—of market trading. A player’s island could suddenly become the must-visit hub if their turnip prices hit the jackpot. There were moments when people might have been bold enough to charge real-world money for access to their island’s Dodo Code. Maybe some actually did!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was poised to keep captivating players for years. Nonetheless, I appreciate Nintendo’s choice to wrap up significant updates in late 2021 with version 2.0 and the singular paid DLC, Happy Home Paradise. This decision helped end the game’s momentous journey on a high note, leaving players with lasting memories. And since then, I haven’t reached for a friend code again.