This article was originally written for TheNintendoVillage.com, a website I founded and ran from 2018 to 2021.

So yesterday we noted how the official listing over on Nintendo’s website for Animal Crossing: New Horizons confirmed the existence of in-game purchases, whatever form they may take. What has now also been pointed out, is the page also confirms compatibility with the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.

Remember that thing? The one everyone totally uses all the time for voice chat because it’s far superior to Discord or straight-up just calling your gaming friends? Sigh.

Still though, there are two whole games that do something other than voice chat with the app. Splatoon 2 allows you to view certain stats and information, as well as order gear to be delivered to you in-game. Meanwhile, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate allows you to do, well, not a whole lot. But you can share stages you’ve made and view replays.

So maybe Animal Crossing: New Horizons will finally be the game that makes the app worth owning. You do use a smartphone in the game itself after all, so why not replicate the Nook Phone within the Switch Online App? Maybe we can create clothing designs in there, view our Nook miles, send messages to our friends - both real and animal - check out our crafting recipe book, view a calendar with upcoming events, scan QR codes… we’re probably expecting a bit too much aren’t we?

Convoluted voice chat it most likely may be, but are you intrigued by what the oft-neglected app has in store for New Horizons? Let us know down in the comments.

Source: Nintendo, via Twitter