A Fresh Wave of Animal Crossing Controllers for a Quiet Era
Animal Crossing: New Horizons may not be getting a true sequel yet, but fans aren’t exactly starved for ways to show their love for the series. Hot on the heels of the game’s big 3.0 content update and its upgraded release on Nintendo Switch 2, Hori is rolling out a new line of officially licensed Animal Crossing controllers and accessories themed around New Horizons. These cozy, decor-friendly designs land at a time when Nintendo has yet to announce the next mainline Animal Crossing, making them a feel-good stopgap for anyone still happily in debt to Tom Nook. The headline items are two Horipad Turbo wireless gamepads that double as statement pieces for your dock, shelf, or desk. Paired with matching pouches and other Animal Crossing merch, they’re an easy way to rekindle your island nostalgia while you wait for the franchise’s future to come into focus.
Celeste on a Starry Night: A Dreamy Hori Switch Controller
The Celeste on a Starry Night Horipad Turbo is aimed squarely at fans of cozy, late-night stargazing on their islands. The semi-transparent purple shell is speckled with shooting stars, trees, and houses, with Celeste herself peeking out next to the D-pad, making the pad feel like a tiny diorama of Blathers’ observatory. Under the charming shell, it’s still a fully featured Hori Switch controller: wireless, with roughly 10 hours of battery life and around three hours to recharge. As a Turbo model, it offers continuous input while you hold a button, plus a button-lock feature to prevent accidental presses and a profile save function that stores two custom control profiles. It’s compatible with all current Switch family systems, including the original, Switch 2, Lite, and OLED, making it a versatile Animal Crossing controller for both handheld dock-sitters and big-screen players.
DIY Life: Natural Wood Tones for a Calm, Cozy Setup
If your ideal Nintendo themed controller blends into a neutral, plant-filled gaming nook, the DIY Life Horipad Turbo might be the better fit. Instead of starry purples, this model leans into a warm, natural wood-style finish, with light brown sticks, D-pad, and shoulder buttons that complement beige desks and soft lighting. The front is sprinkled with familiar faces from your island life: Tom Nook, Timmy and Tommy, Isabelle, Blathers, and K.K. Slider all make an appearance, turning the controller into a compact cast poster for New Horizons. Feature-wise, it mirrors the Celeste on a Starry Night pad, including wireless connectivity, Turbo functionality, button lock, and dual profile saves. Where the first design feels like a nighttime visit to the museum, DIY Life channels the laid-back, everyday routine of tending flowers and crafting, making it ideal for long, relaxed sessions across your Switch library.
Price, Availability, and Who These Controllers Are Best For
Both Animal Crossing Horipad Turbo models are launching as part of a broader New Horizons accessory line that includes puff pouches and other cozy gaming accessories. The line starts at USD 10 (approx. RM46) for smaller items, while each of the two controllers is listed at USD 70 (approx. RM322). Hori’s collection is currently aimed at the Japanese market, but you can preorder through retailers like Play-Asia, which helps international fans secure these pads without relying entirely on resellers. That positioning makes them especially attractive to collectors who chase limited Animal Crossing merch and to families who want a dedicated, themed pad for their island sessions. With comfortable ergonomics and extra features versus standard Joy-Cons, these controllers double as practical upgrades and display pieces, particularly for players who enjoy showing off their favorite series on shelves and social feeds.
More Than a Collectible: Perfect for Cozy Games Beyond Animal Crossing
Although these pads are branded as Animal Crossing controllers, their strengths extend well beyond New Horizons. Turbo and profile-saving features are handy in laid-back grind games, puzzle titles, and even slower-paced action RPGs where repeated inputs can get tiring. Pair the Celeste on a Starry Night controller with chill, nocturnal experiences or narrative adventures, while DIY Life’s neutral look fits farming sims, life-management games, and any cozy gaming accessories theme on your desk. They also sit within a broader trend of themed third-party controllers for major Nintendo franchises, where hardware doubles as lifestyle decor. With no new mainline Animal Crossing announced yet and even official merch drops like Bandai Namco’s character magnets being limited in scope, controllers like these help fans weave the series into everyday play. They’re functional, expressive, and a charming way to make waiting for the next island getaway feel a little shorter.
