One extremely dedicated fan has pulled off a brilliant crossover, recreating major cutscenes from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom using the creative tools of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This fan project doesn’t just showcase an impressive level of dedication—it also highlights the immense creative potential built into Animal Crossing: New Horizons. As one of the most flexible sandbox games available on the Nintendo Switch, it continues to inspire fans to reimagine scenes from iconic franchises.
From Twin Peaks to Hyrule
Recreating scenes from pop culture within Animal Crossing has become a much-loved pastime. Earlier in 2025, one fan captured the essence of Twin Peaks in New Horizons. Now, that same energy has been channeled into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, thanks to a passionate creator who launched a new YouTube channel—ACV-TotK—to showcase the ambitious project.
A YouTube Tribute to Zelda
With a runtime exceeding seven minutes, the video painstakingly recreates key early-game moments from Tears of the Kingdom. These include Link and Zelda’s descent into the mysterious ruins beneath Hyrule Castle. Despite the limitations of Animal Crossing’s assets, the creator cleverly captures the atmosphere and storytelling of the original game.
For example, the portrayal of a zombified Ganondorf—a major challenge given the cute aesthetic of New Horizons—was creatively interpreted using available props and visual tricks. The result is both instantly recognizable and impressively faithful to the Tears of the Kingdom source material.
📺 Watch the video here:
A Testament to Fan Creativity
The Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Animal Crossing recreation stands as a brilliant example of fan dedication and the endless creative expression made possible by Nintendo’s most beloved games. It not only entertains but also reminds us of how versatile these worlds can be in the hands of passionate fans.
Whether you’re a fan of Zelda, Animal Crossing, or just love inventive fan content, this tribute is a must-see. As more creators merge gaming worlds in unique ways, projects like ACV-TotK help redefine what it means to engage with games beyond the console.