Animal Crossing has long captivated players as Nintendo’s beloved cozy life simulation series, most recently with the release of New Horizons in 2020. The franchise is known for its relaxing gameplay, typically revolving around completing small tasks in a stress-free environment. However, there’s a peculiar Easter egg in New Horizons—and its predecessor, New Leaf—that introduces an unexpected layer of mystery to the otherwise cheerful game.
In these two installments, players might stumble upon a curious alien encounter, a surprising twist that veers from the franchise’s usual carefree charm. What’s even more intriguing is that this mysterious alien element in Animal Crossing draws an unlikely parallel with the Silent Hill series.
Both Animal Crossing and Silent Hill share an unusual history of alien encounters. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, players need a TV in their in-game home to witness the extraterrestrial event. By switching on the TV at precisely 3:33 AM on a Saturday, a strange broadcast emerges from the static: a small humanoid alien with glowing red eyes appears on the screen.
The alien appears to deliver a cryptic message, though the specifics remain unknown, with no confirmation of a possible translation. This unexpected event surprises many players, blending an element of horror with Animal Crossing’s lighthearted world.
On the other hand, the Silent Hill series embraces its alien encounters as a longstanding comedic tradition. Multiple games in the series, including Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3, feature UFO Endings. These humorous conclusions, adored by many fans, are intentionally playful and not considered part of the official canon. Given Silent Hill’s oddities, it’s not hard to imagine aliens fitting naturally into its unsettling narrative, though today they remain an entertaining Easter egg.
Both games feature the well-known type of aliens called the Greys—characters with large heads, bulbous eyes, and small bodies. Given the distinct styles of both franchises, canonizing these alien stories might pose unique challenges. Silent Hill’s use of aliens as a comedic element could hinder players from accepting them as serious threats within the chilling universe. In contrast, Animal Crossing’s quirky nature might lend itself more successfully to an alien storyline.
While aliens might not become central to Animal Crossing’s future stories, the potential for seasonal events featuring extraterrestrial elements is an exciting possibility. Imagine a Halloween event where UFOs invade, perhaps even abducting the village’s cow residents in a lighthearted nod to classic alien tropes.
Interestingly, Silent Hill’s playful narratives don’t stop with aliens. The series also features a famous Dog Ending in Silent Hill 2, revealing a Shiba Inu orchestrating the game’s events from a hidden control room.
The alien Easter eggs in both franchises create an amusing bridge between two vastly different worlds. Such a connection is rare and adds a delightful twist to each series, offering fans an unexpected topic of conversation and a dose of humor within their favorite games.
