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the player character talking to tom nook in animal crossing new horizons
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How to Build Paths in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Paths can be the foundation of a beautiful aesthetic in Animal Crossing New Horizons.
Image of Erin O’Gorman
Erin O’Gorman
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Published: Dec 30, 2022 11:40 am

Customization and building are a big part of Animal Crossing New Horizons. The game has a lot more world-building components than its past versions. One feature of the construction mechanic that can make or break an island’s aesthetic is paths. Aesthetics matter in Animal Crossing!

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To build paths, you have to unlock the construction mechanic, which is done at a certain point deep in the game. Here is how to build paths in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

How To Unlock Construction In Animal Crossing New Horizons

The path building screen in Animal Crossing New Horizons.

To perform construction on your island, you have to complete what is considered the game’s main story, which involves getting homes ready for your incoming villagers, recruiting other villagers for the island, following tasks from Tom Nook, and hosting the concert for KK Slider.

Once your island gets a 3-star rating, you’ll be eligible to host the concert. Besides recruiting villagers, other ways to improve your island are planting flowers, and trees, ensuring there’s no clutter, and making the island more livable by putting up things like lights.

How To Get The Island Designer App In Animal Crossing New Horizons

RELATED: How to Save Your Game in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

After the show and the credits roll, Tom Nook will inquire about licenses for performing construction on the island. You will then unlock the Island Designer app. To get permits for building different paths, you must go to the Nook Stop inside Town Hall. The basic ones cost around 2000 Nook Miles each and the really plain ones like grass and dirt are already included. Besides paths, building bridges is also recommended.

How To Use The App To Make Paths In Animal Crossing New Horizons

To create paths, go outside, open the Island Designer app, select ‘Build Paths’ and choose the path you want to build. Press A to put down each panel. Paths are well-liked by villagers and as such, are essential for you to a 5-star rating on your island. They can really pull a look together with the proper steps. To make your paths look more sociable, you can line them with flowers or shrubbery. Consider looking at other players’ islands for inspiration as well.

Paths are the foundation of a beautifully designed island. They will make everything look organized and will help you map out how you want your space to look. Once you master building them, you’ll be on your way to building a memorable island in no time!

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Author
Image of Erin O’Gorman
Erin O’Gorman
A graduate of Pace University, Erin O'Gorman is a freelance guide writer that has been making content for Touch Tap Play since 2021 and writing for the media years before. They specialize in content such as tier lists, how-to's, listicles, reviews, and best ofs. Erin is also an experienced self-taught proofreader and editor, a skill that they polished with years of experience. They aspire to make it far in the world of writing.