Animal Crossing New Horizons vs Pocket Camp: 5 major differences between the two games

Animal Crossing New Horizons and Pocket Camp are among the most played games of the Animal Crossing series. Both allow players to live in a calm, beautiful world in which they can construct, create, and socialize with happy villagers. Animal Crossing New Horizons can be played on the Nintendo Switch, while Pocket Camp is made for mobile users.

This article lists five differences between Animal Crossing New Horizons and Pocket Camp to help you choose which suits you best.

Note: This list is based on the author's opinion. The entries are ranked in no particular order.

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What are the differences between Animal Crossing New Horizons and Pocket Camp?

1) Platform

Animal Crossing New Horizons has deep strategic gameplay but Pocket Camp is about short engaging plays (Image via Nintendo Co., Ltd.)

The main difference between Animal Crossing New Horizons and Pocket Camp is the accessibility of the platforms.

Animal Crossing New Horizons is designed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. It uses the console’s specs to create a large, beautiful island. You can explore, shape your island, and customize almost everything.

In contrast, Pocket Camp is made for mobile devices. However, this smaller format means fewer options. Pocket Camp focuses on quick, short interactions. While you can customize your campsite and join mini-events, it doesn’t offer the same depth or freedom as New Horizons.

2) Customization

If you love trying out different designs and layouts, you’ll prefer New Horizons. If you like a simpler personalization, Pocket Camp is a better fit (Image via Nintendo Co., Ltd.)

Customization in Animal Crossing New Horizons is quite flexible. You can plan your island layout, create paths, change rivers and cliffs, and use furniture, wallpaper, and flooring to add style to your home.

On the other hand, Pocket Camp has more limited options. You can decorate your campsite and camper van, but these areas are much smaller than New Horizons' island. The way furniture is placed is based on a grid, and while the choices are cute, they don’t offer as much freedom.

3) Villager interaction

New Horizons is about building meaningful connections with villagers while Pocket Camp is about short casual interactions (Image via Nintendo Co., Ltd.)

The way you interact with villagers in Animal Crossing New Horizons and Pocket Camp is quite different.

In New Horizons, you can build deeper connections with villagers. They live on your island, have meaningful conversations, and often ask you for help or share their stories. Over time, these relationships feel personal and satisfying.

In contrast, Pocket Camp offers more straightforward interactions with them. Villagers visit your campsite for a short time, and their presence is mainly tied to tasks like item requests or events. These interactions are fun, but they do not have the same emotional depth as in New Horizons.

4) Resource management

Players who enjoy managing resources will find New Horizons more satisfying while Pocket Camp is suitable for casual players who are okay with microtransactions (Image via Nintendo Co., Ltd.)

Both games involve collecting resources and crafting, but they do this differently.

New Horizons uses bells and Nook Miles as currency. Players earn money by fishing, farming, and selling crafted items. They can spend currency on island improvements, furniture, or trading turnips in the Stalk Market. Crafting requires gathering materials like wood, clay, and iron.

Pocket Camp mainly uses Leaf Tickets, a premium ex-currency that speeds up crafting or unlocks special items. Resource collection is simpler, and many players rely on microtransactions to progress fast. This makes the game easy for those with less time, but it can feel less rewarding than the more involved progression in New Horizons.

5) Event design and social features

If you enjoy community events New Horizons is the better choice while Pocket Camp is ideal for quick and casual event participation (Image via Nintendo Co., Ltd.)

Both games feature events to keep players interested, but the style and scale differ.

New Horizons hosts large seasonal events like Bunny Day, Halloween, and Toy Day. These events bring in new characters, activities, and items.

Pocket Camp has many quick, short-term events that often involve collecting items or crafting limited-edition furniture. While enjoyable, they can get repetitive for long-time players. The social features also vary.

New Horizons lets players visit friends’ islands, trade items, and join activities together. On the other hand, Pocket Camp has more limited social options, mainly focusing on friend lists and sharing event rewards.

Conclusion

In summary, Animal Crossing New Horizons and Pocket Camp target different audiences. New Horizons offers a rich experience for those who like long-term creativity and deep relationships. Pocket Camp provides bite-sized content that is fun, which is perfect for mobile gamers who want short gameplay sessions.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh