Animal Crossing and Silent Hill: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Animal Crossing has charmed players for years as Nintendo’s beloved cozy life simulation game, with the latest installment being 2020’s New Horizons. Generally, the series revolves around leisurely tasks and stress-free scenarios, offering a tranquil gaming experience. However, a peculiar Easter egg in New Horizons and its predecessor, New Leaf, injects an eerie twist into this otherwise cheerful game.

In these two Animal Crossing versions, players can stumble upon an unexpected alien encounter. This bizarre scenario shakes up the franchise’s typically upbeat atmosphere. What’s even more intriguing is that this extraterrestrial element unexpectedly aligns Animal Crossing with an unlikely counterpart: Silent Hill.

Animal Crossing and Silent Hill Both Have a History of Alien Encounters

In New Horizons, to encounter the alien mystery, players need to have a TV in their in-game home. By switching on the TV at 3:33 AM on a Saturday, they’ll witness a broadcast breaking through the static. This eerie broadcast features a small humanoid alien with glowing red eyes, delivering a message that remains indecipherable. Although Animal Crossing is not known for its horror elements, this unexpected occurrence has surprised and delighted players.

Silent Hill’s Aliens Are a Franchise Tradition

Silent Hill’s history with aliens is equally quirky. Many games in the series have featured humorous UFO endings, which fans have come to adore. While these endings are meant to be amusing and not part of the main story, they fit well with the eccentric and mysterious nature of Silent Hill. An alien-focused Silent Hill game could be genuinely terrifying, but for now, both franchises seem content to keep these extraterrestrial elements as fun Easter eggs.

The designs in both series typically feature the classic "Grey" aliens—characterized by large heads, bulbous eyes, and small bodies.

Silent Hill and Animal Crossing Making Their Aliens Canon May Be Easier Said Than Done

It would be interesting to see how these two vastly different franchises might incorporate aliens more fully, though it could prove challenging. In Silent Hill, aliens are usually a punchline, and making them part of the official lore might detract from the game’s terrifying atmosphere. In contrast, Animal Crossing could seamlessly feature aliens in a lighthearted way, perhaps by incorporating them into a Halloween event—imagine UFOs swooping in to abduct cow villagers, playing into classic alien tropes.

Silent Hill and Animal Crossing’s Alien Easter Eggs Are a Fun Connection

Linking Silent Hill and Animal Crossing through alien Easter eggs is a delightful and unexpected connection that keeps fans intrigued. While these extraterrestrial elements might never become central to either franchise’s lore, the whimsical link between the two games is thoroughly entertaining.

Considering Silent Hill’s own humorous Dog Ending in Silent Hill 2—where a Shiba Inu is revealed to have been orchestrating the entire plot—these playful elements show both series are not afraid to surprise their players with unconventional twists.