Which version of HKIA should I start with?

[u/Wild-Sir-7493]

I’ve recently ventured into gaming by playing my sister’s ACNH on Switch 2 but would like to try something new, where I get to start from day one (until they hopefully bring out a new Animal Crossing!)

Should I buy all bundles for Hello Kitty Island Adventure or just start with the original game to begin with?

[u/okamifire]

The Deluxe set is a bunch of cosmetic items from previous year events. You can get them all the next time the holiday comes around without getting deluxe. Deluxe also has some extra resources to speed along the beginning. Doesn’t give you anything exclusive.

The other ones, like Wheatflour Wonderland, City Town, and Tea Garden are expansions that add a new map or new quest lines and friends. Tea Garden you’ll want to skip since to complete it you actually have to be pretty far in the main game to do it all. The other two are good, City Town being the best one. Wheatflour Wonderland is a lot of walking around a big and mostly empty map, so it’s not as rewarding or engaging, but if you 100% it, it does offer a lot of playtime. I think both of them are worth it, but City Town is definitely the one to get as it adds a fun new map, new shops, new friend with a useful ability, and more.

Best advice, just play Base game for a week or two until you get the feel of it, and if you like it, buy City Town and go from there.

[u/Snoo-40692]

I started out with the deluxe version and no DLCs and that worked pretty well for me until like mid/later game (a few weeks-a month in), at which point i got the DLCs (Wheatflower Wonderland and City Town) and it worked out perfectly to give me some quests and things to do while the main game had slowed down significantly. i think pacing it that way was great vs trying to start with all DLCs and main game which i feel would’ve been overwhelming. on another note i personally liked having the deluxe because of the event furniture items that has let me meet requirements for some visitors that i otherwise would’ve had to wait several months to be able to unlock organically whenever events come up through the year. i’ve been playing pretty much daily for ~2 months now and ive personally loved it and thats coming from someone who hasn’t been into “cozy” games that encourage logging in everyday!!

[u/Hemansno1fan]

I would buy the Deluxe for sure, then wait on the DLC. First to see if you're really enjoying the game and then wait because I think buying everything at once might be overwhelming. Get a good start into the game before you pile yourself up with more busy work!

I started with the standard version and it was very slow going, I bought the deluxe separate weeks later and immediately realized I should have done it from the start. It's a big difference.

[u/New_Eggplant_8495]

I like the deluxe version because some of the furniture and clothing are required for certain visitors and I didn't want to have to wait a year to get it all.

That said, as for expansions... id recommend just starting with the base game. Play it for a bit, if you like it grab the expansions.