Nintendo is bringing its mega-popular Animal Crossing: New Horizons game to life with a new tour headed to aquariums across the U.S. The splashy activation will make two stops in Texas, including a July 30 through October 10 run at San Antonio’s Sea Life in downtown’s Shops at Rivercenter.
The tour announcement coincides with the January release of the video game’s 3.0 update. That might not mean much to non-gamers, but it is cause for celebration from the legions of fans who have been playing the adorable social simulator since it was first released during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Sea Life, gamers “can expect Animal Crossing: New Horizons-themed activities and also experience the variety of aquatic life featured at each aquarium," says Nintendo in a release. The themed attractions include:
- Photo opportunities with aquarium-themed backgrounds and characters from the game.
- Signage throughout the aquarium, featuring the game’s chatty museum curator, Blathers.
- Life-sized cutouts of familiar game characters – including the debut of green sea turtle, Kapp’n.
- Themed stamp collections on select days.
- Kiosks where guests can check in to receive 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points redeemable for exclusive digital and physical rewards.
- Opportunities to obtain Animal Crossing: New Horizons-themed patches featuring favorite characters.
- QR codes to download mobile wallpapers.
- Meet-and-greets with game characters Isabelle, Tom Nook, or K.K. Slider.
- Official Animal Crossing merchandise.
- The chance to play the latest update of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.
First introduced in 2001, the Animal Crossing series features an interactive village populated by talkative animals. Gamers spend their time collecting items, crafting items, planting plants, catching bugs, fishing, and socializing with the villagers. The March 2020 New Horizons reboot became a global phenomenon that helped players stay sane during lockdowns.
The aquarium tour will also make its way to Grapevine’s Sea Life (3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway) from February 21 through May 25. The tour is included in the cost of each aquarium's admission.
