The best Animal Crossing: New Horizons villagers are highly personal, so we put our cartoon heads together to show our besties some love

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the kind of game that can suck away hours upon hours, so who you spend that time with is important. Traditionally somewhat random, the characters who end up populating your village throughout the series can always feel unique and personal, whether you're goading some of them to move out in order to build your perfect collection, or growing closer to those that have been thrown together by chance.

Games like Animal Crossing are at their best when you feel like you're living in your own space not quite like anyone else's. Which means that coming up with a list of the best Animal Crossing villagers is tough. Rather than try to be completely objective, we've gone the other way, inviting the Animal Crossing obsessed from across GamesRadar+ to chime in with why their favorite pals on their own islands have stuck with them across the years. Your list might be very different (let us know in the comments)! But for now, join us as we run down some of the best Animal Crossing villagers we can't (koala) bear to live without.

10. Hamphrey

This permanently frowning hamster is the face of evil, but there's something to be said about how he's always wearing it on his sleeve. He has a hatred of all children, and is perhaps a little bit too into history to the point you get the sense you'd better not ask him too many details about why. Adding to the vibe, he craves smoke and fire. But, at least his bat umbrella is heckin' cute. I have to admire a villager that takes cranky to the next level and is proud about it. - Oscar Taylor-Kent

9. Chester

Chester is my best friend. He's a lazy and subsequently rotund blue and white panda frequently found running around with his arms to his sides clutching a can of soda or lollipop. Like any self-disrespecting panda, he likes bamboo so much he built his entire house out of it, but he still has the determination not to gnaw away at his couch. In all seriousness, Chester has been there for me through thick and thin, and I simply could not let this list be published without his inclusion. Love you, sweet Chester. - Jordan Gerblick

8. Shep

Anyone who comes to my New Horizons island will quickly notice that there's a surprising number of dogs wandering around and leaving their pawprints in the sand. 90% of my residents are actually of the canine persuasion (and for Julian, of course). But the top, ahem, dog spot will always go to Shep, the old English sheepdog. His fringe completely obscures his eyes unless he's surprised, at which point just one eye will pop out between his fluffy bangs. It's adorable, especially as he will still wear glasses over his hairdo. He's a funny old chap, with surprisingly deep thoughts and an ability to always stop and smell the flowers. I just can't have an island without his silly face. - Sam Loveridge

7. Hazel

After watching people going feral over Raymond and Marshal from the sidelines, I wasn't sure what to think as an Animal Crossing newcomer when one of my starter villagers was a squirrel with an audacious monobrow – "Not the best, but we can make this work", I thought. However, as more villagers joined my island, Hazel rapidly shot up in my estimations, largely thanks to her Big Sister personality which let her easily outshine the awful Smug and Snooty types that used to plague my island. My friends may call her ugly, but Hazel is a ride-or-die resident of Okeydo Cay! - Will Sawyer

6. Julian

Julian the unicorn might be one of the most popular Animal Crossing villagers, but when we first crossed paths in New Leaf, long before I knew what a celebrity he was, he quickly became my all-time bestie for no reason other than his delightful personality. He's stylish, sassy, and self-assured, and he knows it, leading to some of the funniest villager interactions I've ever seen, but he's all about instilling that same confidence in you, too. After all, his sage advice is "Never trot when you can prance." What's not to love?

Needless to say, one fateful day when I returned from a New Leaf break only to find the spot where his house was completely empty, I'm not ashamed to say I listened to his signature song Stale Cupcakes and cried. Thankfully, we're now reunited in New Horizons, where we can hang out in his starry house all day, every day while he gossips about his fellow island residents. Never change, Julian. - Catherine Lewis

5. Al

Al is seemingly a gorilla of contradictions. He's 'lazy', but he's into fitness. He guzzles treats and boasts about snacking 24/7 but could bench press my villager as if I were a snowboy. He claims to love lying around watching TV, but is frequently found exercising around the island in his trendy athleisure. But there's no real contradiction here – Al is just unashamedly who he is. He might be fitter than I'll ever be, but he'll never judge anyone for being less into working out, able to munch out and go gremlin mode with you at a moment's notice. That's a true friend. - Oscar Taylor-Kent

4. Ozzie

I've had many teachers over the years, but few have imparted so much wisdom as quickly or as generously as Ozzie. This ol' bear was one of my first villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and as a newcomer to the series, Ozzie taught me to take things slow. Some call him lazy, but I see only a koala who values the sacrality of contentment. Ozzie doesn't measure life by the second, day, month, or year. Ozzie doesn't keep track – and we could all learn a thing or two from that. – Andy Brown

3. Dobie

I've always had a soft spot for cranky villagers, but out of all the grumpy neighbours that I've had, none have stolen my heart like Dobie. Despite playing the series for 20 years now, I only met Dobie for the first time in New Horizons. However, the elderly wolf has made a massive impact, and now I feel empty inside if I don't hear him call me "kiddo" at least once a day.

Dobie may seem rough around the edges (especially if your friendship level with him is low), but he really is the grandpa of my island who reminds me to enjoy the simple joys in life. He gives worldly advice, loves watering flowers and has a wholesomeness that makes me kick my feet in glee whenever I see him. Dobie doesn't need or want flashy things; he is content with life, and having that kind of energy in my game feels like a reassuring hug after a stressful day. - Emma-Jane Betts

2. Raymond

I'm not even particularly fond of Raymond, but as Animal Crossing: New Horizon's first bona-fide celebrity, he had to be included. Back in 2020, a snappy dress sense and an even snappier vocabulary sent Raymond so giga-viral that his very presence was enough to net an economically-minded islander millions of bells if they could find the right buyer. His financial value might have faded over the years, but there's no doubt that Raymond remains a standout villager, able to brighten your day - or ruin it with a single cutting remark. - Ali Jones

1. Punchy

As soon as I met Punchy in the original Animal Crossing on GameCube, he stole my heart. In fact, I still count him as a childhood friend – so deep was my love for the black and white cat and his comforting, friendly personality. With sleepy eyes, a penchant for food, and a laidback lifestyle I can only aspire to, he's the best Lazy villager out there in my book. Did I put down cold hard cash (aka £20 / $26) to get him for my island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Yes. Yes I did. And I'd do it again! - Heather Wald

Need to chill more? Take a look at our best relaxing games ranking! Or, our list of the best farming games for a touch more busy work.