You can get an actual pedalboard in Animal Crossing - and guitarists are freaking out

Picture of an electric guitar and pedalboard in Animal Crossing
(Image credit: Will Thomas)

In a time where millions of us are unable to leave our homes, the timing of Nintendo Switch escapism masterpiece Animal Crossing: New Horizons is suspiciously perfect.

One of the way the life sim makes the experience individual to each player is the ability to customize your house with the thousands of items you find around the deserted island you call your home - which, as it turns out, include not only an electric guitar, but a pedalboard, as well.

The ‘Pedal board’, as it’s known in-game, boasts five pedals, which vary in color and appear to roughly approximate a Dunlop Cry Baby Mini, Boss MS-3 Multi-Effects/Switcher, Boss DM-2/BD-2/Tube Screamer, a mini pedal of some description, and a Strymon/Eventide-style digital processor. There’s even a patch bay on the top right, lending the game serious attention to detail.

Suffice to say, Animal Crossing-loving guitarists have been going absolutely bonkers with glee at the inclusion (especially those who already possess the Orange-style practice amp):

See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more

Sadly, you can’t interact much with the ’board itself (after all, you can obtain it whether or not you own a guitar), but we’re hoping Nintendo might add that functionality in a future update.

The ability to get hold of guitars dates back to Animal Crossing’s earlier iterations, which offered a number of variations, from a Strat-a-like ‘Rock guitar’ seen above to a Flying V-type ‘Metal guitar’ and Martin-esque ‘Folk guitar’.

In addition, K.K. Slider, one of the series’ most iconic characters, is an acoustic-wielding dog who performs to the townspeople, and even records albums for you to purchase in-game.

All of which leads us to believe that someone on the Animal Crossing development team is really into guitar. Surely it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing virtual gigs in a town near you...

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.