A new device for Animal Crossing: New Horizons has made the game accessible for one paralyzed player. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is coming up to its first anniversary, and even with a huge library of newer games currently available, the simplistic pace of island living from Nintendo makes it still one of the most popular games today.
When Animal Crossing: New Horizons first launched, no one was expecting it to become the phenomenon that it did. Within the game’s first two months of availability alone, it surpassed its lifetime sales projections. This trend continued, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons regularly topped charts across the globe. Now, one gamer has shared a new app that they use to make Animal Crossing: New Horizons even more accessible to fans.
YouTuber Biggy from Biggy’s Lets Play was in an accident a couple of years ago that left them paralyzed from the chest down and with a significant loss of motor function in both hands. When they were stuck in bed after the accident, Biggy turned to gaming. Not only did Animal Crossing help Biggy cope emotionally, but it also helped them physically. Now Biggy uses their experiences to review games, apps, and gadgets based on their accessibility, physical improvement, value for money, and emotional support. Biggy then shares their reviews on their YouTube channel, in a show lovingly named “Unlockable Content.” In the most recent episode, Biggy focused on Animal Crossing and the Joy-Con Droid app.
Commenting that the Nintendo Switch Joy Cons are “small, and they do not lie flat on the table,” Biggy turned to the Joy-Con Droid phone app to enable them to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons more comfortably. This free app uses a touchscreen as its interface option. Biggy says that the app “simulates all of the features of a pro controller, but on a phone or a tablet screen.” The Joy-Con Droid app then syncs with the Switch console via Bluetooth, negating the need for any additional (and cumbersome) wires. Biggy praised the app as the reason he was able to “enjoy (ACNH) fully.”
As for Animal Crossing: New Horizons itself, Biggy commented that it was actually surprisingly good for improving their fine motor skills. Biggy recalls the first time they managed to catch a tarantula as being a “rush”. Wonderfully, the more Biggy actually played Animal Crossing, the more their fine motor skills improved. As time progressed, they were able to “graduate” and use a Nintendo Pro controller to play. However, gameplay mechanics aside, Biggy praised Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the emotional support that the game has provided to them and their family, stating that the impact it has had is “beyond words.”
Biggy has created an absolutely beautiful and engaging video about this latest accessibility option for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Their YouTube channel is not only informative and incredibly useful for those who may be in a similar position, but it is also one that is also full of heart and compassion. Gaming is for everyone, and as time goes on hopefully the more games and apps will adapt to each and every player’s requirements.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now for the Nintendo Switch.
