Loving cats is an expensive hobby; you empty your pockets, take care of them on a day-to-day basis, give them offerings, all in exchange of one cute “prrrr”.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! So, when Neko Atsume offers you a fun cat-collector experience, who can say no right? Though, how does one even go about collecting these cats?
Fortunately, we’ve played the game on unhealthy levels to bring you a complete guide on Neko Atsume. Let’s nyan right in, shall we?
If you love cat games, make sure to also check out our guide about cats and soup that will walk you through the game.
The Basics: Understanding How The Game Works!
The tutorial already equips you with everything you need to know in order to progress. You purchase food and goodies, lay them down your backyard, and if you’re lucky, cats will come to visit you.
Now, obviously, every cat has different preferences, and you cannot hope to see all of them with one measly piece of offering now, can you?
That said, let’s explore how everything works:
Finances: The Fish and the Store
You want to be the cat’s pajamas, the bee’s knees in the world of Neko Atsume? Well, it all starts with getting your finances in order.
This is a game of patience and strategic spending, and your currency?
Not your typical greenbacks, but silver and gold fish.
Understanding the Different Currencies in the Game: Silver and Gold Fish
Let’s start with silver fish, the bread and butter of your Neko Atsume economy.
Easy to come by and your main method of buying those necessary goodies and foods. Then, there’s the gold fish.
These flashy fellas are a little harder to reel in but they’re your ticket to the big leagues, letting you buy premium items and expand your yard.
How to Earn Fish
Now, you might be wondering, how do I get my paws on these fish? It’s easy peasy. All you gotta do is lure those cats to your yard.
Leave out some grub, some goodies, and if the cats dig what you’ve got, they’ll leave you a fish or two in thanks.
Remember, every cat’s a critic, and the more they love your spread, the more fish you’ll be able to haul in. So, keep experimenting!
The Importance of Saving Up
While it might be tempting to spend your fish the minute you get them, hold your horses there!
It’s a cat eat cat world out there, and you need to make sure you’re not left high and dry.
Those premium items and yard expansions don’t come cheap. So, stash away those gold fish for the rainy days, and you’ll thank yourself later.
Making the Most Out of Your Purchases from the Store
So, you’ve got your fish, you’ve saved up, and now you’re burning a hole in your pocket, ready to hit the store.
Here’s the deal: quality over quantity, always. Instead of blowing your stash on a bunch of cheap items, invest in high-quality food and rare goodies that’ll get those rare and fancy cats purring your way.
The Ailurophile Art of Luring Cats
Right, now that you’re swimming in fish (sounds weird, doesn’t it?), let’s talk about the other half of the coin – attracting those finicky felines to your yard.
It’s not rocket science, but there’s an art to it.
The Importance of Goodies and Food
Just like us humans, cats can be particular about their tastes. Some will pop over for a cheap can of Thrifty Bitz, while others will turn their noses up at anything less than the delectable Sashimi.
Your yard is your canvas and the goodies and food, your paint. Experiment with different combos to see what each cat prefers.
Getting to Know Your Regulars
Now, you’ll start seeing some familiar furry faces after a while. Get to know these regulars.
Figure out what they love and keep it in stock. Remember, a happy cat equals more fish for your coffers.
Luring in the Rare Cats
Now, this is where it gets interesting. There are a select few finicky felines in Neko Atsume known as “Rare Cats”. They won’t show up for just any ol’ thing. Each has a specific goodie they’re partial to.
Your task is to figure out which is which, and use those premium goodies you got from the store to lure them in.
Managing Your Yard
So, you’ve got the fish, you’ve got the cats, now let’s talk about your domain – the yard.
It’s not just a place to dump goodies and hope for the best, there’s strategy to it.
The Layout
To maximize the number of cats you can entertain at a time, you need to be smart about your yard layout.
Smaller items allow more space but attract fewer cats, while larger items can attract more cats but take up a lot of space. Striking the right balance is key.
Expanding Your Yard
Eventually, you’ll want to expand your territory. Remember those gold fish you’ve been saving?
This is where they come in handy. An expanded yard gives you more space for goodies and thus, more cats.
Special Themes
Want to jazz up your space a bit? There are several special themes you can buy in the game.
While they don’t directly influence the number of cats visiting, they do provide a refreshing change of scenery.
Capture Your Memories
Always snap photos of your cats for the Catbook.
It’s a neat way to keep track of your progress, see who’s visited, and a charming way to document your cat-collecting journey.
Don’t let those special moments slip away!
Rare Cats: The Ultimate Challenge
What’s better than having a yard full of cute, ordinary cats? Having a yard full of cute, rare cats, of course!
Neko Atsume challenges you to attract these elusive feline friends, offering the thrill of a cat-and-mouse chase. (Only, you’re the mouse here.)
What Makes a Cat Rare?
Ever notice a cat in your yard that’s just a tad different? A tad fancier? A tad rarer? That’s because it is.
Unlike their regular counterparts, rare cats in Neko Atsume have unique appearances and personalities, each requiring specific goodies to attract.
From Lady Meow-Meow’s glamorous sunglasses to Ramses the Great’s royal demeanor, these cats know how to stand out from the crowd.
Strategies to Attract Rare Cats
Alright, you’re keen on having some of these rare cats visit your yard, but how? Well, each one of these distinguished felines has a soft spot for certain goodies. Yes, you’ve got to coax them with the right bait.
Xerxes IX won’t even give you a second glance if you don’t have that Zanzibar cushion out, and Saint Purrtrick demands the deluxe tuna bitz.
The key here is to research and experiment until you find out what each rare cat loves.
Unlocking and Collecting Mementos from Rare Cats
Having a rare cat visit is thrilling, but you know what’s even better? Receiving mementos from them. These priceless gifts are given after several visits, a sign of their deep affection for you.
To collect mementos from rare cats, you’ll need patience and the right strategy. Keep laying out their favorite goodies and make sure your yard is always full of love. After all, isn’t that what being a cat lover is all about?
Remember, patience is a virtue in Neko Atsume. The allure of rare cats is worth the wait, and the satisfaction of having them drop by your yard is unmeow-tably rewarding.
How To Get Better At Neko Atsume: Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips to get you going:
Tip 1: Strategic Spending
In the world of Neko Atsume, your wealth isn’t measured in dollars, but in fish. The key to growing your wealth lies in strategic spending.
Don’t be tempted to spend your silver fish on cheap items just because they’re affordable.
Invest in high-quality food and rare goodies that can attract more cats to your yard. Remember, the more cats you have visiting, the more fish you’ll earn.
Furthermore, hold on to your gold fish as much as possible. They’re harder to come by and can buy you the premium items and yard expansions.
If you spend them as soon as you earn them, you might find yourself stuck in a rut, unable to progress in the game.
Tip 2: Understanding Cat Preferences
The cats in Neko Atsume are picky eaters and have specific preferences when it comes to food and goodies.
You need to understand each cat’s preferences to lure them to your yard. Some cats might be attracted to cheap food, while others may only show up for the premium stuff.
Keep track of which goodies and food items each cat prefers. Once you’ve figured it out, you can optimize your spending by only buying the items that attract the most cats.
Tip 3: Managing Your Yard
Your yard is your domain, and managing it well can maximize the number of cats you attract. Smaller items allow more space but attract fewer cats, while larger items can attract more cats but take up more space. Striking the right balance is key.
Consider expanding your yard when you have enough gold fish. More space means more room for goodies, which can attract more cats. Also, don’t be afraid to change things up with special themes.
While they don’t directly affect the number of visiting cats, a new theme can provide a fresh look for your yard.
Tip 4: Attracting Rare Cats
Attracting rare cats is a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Each rare cat has a soft spot for certain goodies. If you don’t have their preferred goodie, they won’t visit your yard.
Don’t be discouraged if a rare cat doesn’t show up immediately. Keep their favorite goodies in your yard and wait patiently.
They’ll eventually show up. Once they do, snap a picture and note down their preferences for future reference.
Tip 5: Collecting Mementos
Collecting mementos from rare cats is a sign of their affection for you. They only give them after several visits, so be patient. Keep their favorite goodies in your yard and wait.
Once a rare cat gives you a memento, treasure it. It’s a sign of your successful strategy and a reward for your patience.
Note that mementos don’t have any gameplay effects; they’re simply trophies to showcase your achievement.
Conclusion
In essence, you need to be able to know each cat’s preferences, in order to secure them. There aren’t many shortcuts here; everything is up to chance.
That said, patience, strategy, and understanding of your feline friends are all you need to succeed in the game.