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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons has 417 villagers and 66 special characters in the current roster indexed by Nookipedia. Villagers are the animal neighbors who can live on your island; special characters serve roles such as running services, hosting events, or appearing in other activities. Use the separate references below to find the full name-by-name lists and individual details.
How many villagers and special characters are in New Horizons?
Nookipedia’s current New Horizons character index reports 417 villagers and 66 special characters, including additions made after launch. For comparison, the same index gives launch-era totals of 391 villagers and 24 special characters. These are reference-page counts, not a Nintendo-published roster tally.
For every name, consult Nookipedia’s separate villager list and special-character index. Those pages provide the individual entries; the roster counts alone do not tell you a character’s species, personality, role, or availability.
Villagers vs. special characters
| Group | What the group means | Where to find the roster |
|---|---|---|
| Villagers | Animal characters who can be island neighbors. | Nookipedia’s New Horizons villager list |
| Special characters | Characters with service, event, or other special roles; they are not ordinary island-neighbor slots. | Nookipedia’s New Horizons character index |
Examples of special characters include Blathers, who is associated with the museum; Brewster, associated with The Roost; and C.J., associated with the Fishing Tourney. They belong in the special-character reference rather than being counted as ordinary villagers.
#1 Best Overall
![Animal Crossings New Horizons - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ErvUL40zL._SL160_.jpg)
- Build your community from scratch on a deserted island brimming with possibility; Create your personal getaway and customize your character, home, decorations, and even the landscape itself
- Collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools. Then, use what you create to give your island a personal touch
- Watch as the time of day and seasons match real life—even your hemisphere. Each day holds potential for surprises and discoveries
- Get to know the island residents, garden, fish, decorate, hunt for fossils, and more.
- Show off your paradise – play on the same system with a total of 4 people, or play together online or over local wireless for fun with up to 8 players
Who are the special characters?
The special-character index is the most direct way to browse the complete group and check a particular character’s role. The examples above illustrate why this distinction matters: a character may be important to island life without being a villager who moves into a neighbor’s home.
Which amiibo work in New Horizons?
Amiibo support depends on the character and the feature you want to use; compatibility does not mean every special character can become an island resident. Nookipedia describes compatible amiibo interactions at The Roost, Photopia, or Paradise Planning, where supported characters can be invited by scanning the amiibo at the relevant location. Check the character entry and in-game destination rather than assuming a card or figure unlocks a resident move-in.
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- Share Your Paradise - Show off your island utopia to family and friends - or pack your bags and visit theirs.
- Get Building - Experience a robust new crafting system - collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools!
- Create Your Perfect Getaway - Craft everything from tools to creature comforts as you create and customize your island community.
- Explore Your Island - Collect bugs, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean.
- Play Together - Up to eight players can reside on an island; four residents of the same island can play together simultaneously on a single system.
Nintendo announced a free update scheduled for January 15, 2026, including amiibo compatibility updates. See Nintendo’s update announcement for its official update context. Brewster and The Roost are also covered in Play Nintendo’s update explainer. For a specific amiibo, confirm the game is updated and verify the supported use for that character before relying on it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the villager count include the eight-player island limit?
No. Nintendo Support’s New Game setup guidance says one island is available per console and up to eight human players can live on that island. That limit is about player accounts sharing an island, not the number of animal villagers in the roster.
Rank #3
![Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JAzQozLgL._SL160_.jpg)
- Take in-game photos of your designs and add them to your portfolio. Show them to other characters and you may get more requests to create vacation homes. Share the photos with other players using the in-game Showroom in the Happy Home Network app and they can tour your personally-designed resort islands or go tour theirs for some relaxation and inspiration.
- Purchase the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC from Nintendo eShop, or download and play it as part of an active Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack membership at no extra cost.
Game and platform
Nintendo’s Animal Crossing series site identifies New Horizons as a Nintendo Switch game. Roster totals and amiibo functions can change with updates, so use the linked current character entries and Nintendo announcements when checking a detail that affects play.
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