Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Fossils: Identification Guide - A Review

Introduction

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) has captivated players worldwide with its charming gameplay, relaxing atmosphere, and endless customization options. One of the most engaging activities in the game is fossil hunting—digging up prehistoric remains, identifying them, and donating them to the museum. This review explores the Fossils: Identification Guide (a hypothetical or fan-made guide) and evaluates its usefulness for players looking to complete their museum collections efficiently.

What is the Fossil Identification Guide?

The Fossils: Identification Guide is a resource designed to help players identify, assess, and complete their fossil collections in ACNH. Whether it's a printed book, an online database, or a mobile app, such guides typically include:

A complete list of all fossils in the game.
Visual references for each fossil piece.
Information on how fossils are grouped (e.g., T. rex skull, Triceratops tail).
Tips on assessing whether a fossil is new or a duplicate.

This review will analyze the guide’s effectiveness, usability, and overall value for ACNH players.

Section 1: Completeness of the Fossil List

Does It Cover All Fossils?

ACNH features 73 fossil pieces, grouped into 15 full dinosaur sets (e.g., Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus) and 5 stand-alone fossils (e.g., Amber, Archaeopteryx). A good identification guide should list every fossil with clear distinctions between parts (skull, torso, tail).

Pros:

Most guides provide a full checklist, allowing players to track their progress.
High-quality guides include images or illustrations for easy recognition.

Cons:

Some free online guides may lack updates if Nintendo adds new fossils via updates.

Verdict: A well-maintained guide is essential for completionists.

Section 2: Ease of Identification

Are the Fossils Clearly Labeled?

One challenge in ACNH is that fossil names can be confusing (e.g., "Left Megalo Side" vs. "Right Megalo Side"). A good guide should clarify:

Which dinosaur a fossil belongs to.
Whether a fossil is part of a multi-piece set.

Pros:

Guides with side-by-side comparisons (in-game screenshot vs. real fossil) help players match pieces quickly.
Alphabetical sorting makes searching easier.

Cons:

Some guides rely on text descriptions only, making visual identification harder.

Verdict: A visual guide is far superior to a text-only list.

Section 3: Assessing Duplicates

Does the Guide Help Avoid Duplicates?

Since players dig up four fossils daily, duplicates are inevitable. A useful guide should:

Allow players to mark which fossils they’ve already donated.
Provide a quick-reference system (e.g., checkboxes, color-coding).

Pros:

Digital guides (apps, spreadsheets) often include tracking features.
Some fan-made tools sync with ACNH save data (via third-party apps).

Cons:

Printed guides require manual updates, which can be tedious.

Verdict: Interactive digital guides are the most efficient for tracking donations.

Section 4: Additional Features

Does the Guide Offer Extra Tips?

The best fossil guides go beyond basic identification and provide:

Blathers’ dialogue – Some guides include fun facts Blathers shares when donating fossils.
Bells value – Since duplicate fossils can be sold, a price list helps players decide whether to sell or trade.
Multiplayer trading tips – Some fossils are rarer than others; a guide might suggest trading strategies.

Verdict: Extra features enhance the guide’s usefulness beyond simple identification.

Final Verdict: Is the Fossil Identification Guide Worth It?

For casual players, memorizing fossil names may not be necessary. However, for completionists, traders, and museum enthusiasts, a well-structured Fossil Identification Guide is invaluable.

Rating: 9/10

✅ Pros:

Saves time by avoiding duplicate donations.
Helps complete the museum faster.
Enhances gameplay with educational facts.

❌ Cons:

Printed guides become outdated if Nintendo adds new fossils.
Some digital tools require manual data entry.

Best Formats for Fossil Guides:

Interactive Apps (e.g., ACNH.Guide) – Best for real-time tracking.
Online Wikis (e.g., Nookipedia) – Frequently updated.
Printable Checklists – Good for offline use.

Conclusion

The Fossils: Identification Guide is an excellent companion for Animal Crossing: New Horizons players who want to streamline their fossil hunting. Whether in digital or print form, a well-organized guide makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Final Tip: Pair the guide with the "Assessed Fossils" trick—once a fossil is assessed by Blathers, its name changes to the correct term, making future identification easier!

Happy digging! 🦴⛏️