Introduction
Neko Atsume, the adorably simple mobile game, has captured the hearts of countless players with its charming premise: attracting a virtual clowder of cats to your digital backyard. Unlike more complex games, Neko Atsume thrives on its laid-back, passive gameplay. You set the stage with toys and furniture, and then, crucially, you provide the food. Food in Neko Atsume is more than just a background element; it’s the single most important factor in enticing feline visitors. It dictates which cats grace your yard, how often they visit, and the overall rewards you reap in fish, the game’s currency. This guide will delve deep into the world of Neko Atsume food, exploring each type, its impact on attracting cats, and strategies for maximizing your fish earnings and completing your cat collection.
The Humble Beginnings: Accessible and Affordable Eats
Let’s begin with the basics, the food items readily available to every Neko Atsume player from the very start of their cat-collecting journey. These options might not be glamorous, but they are essential for building your initial cat population and understanding the fundamentals of the game.
Thrifty Bitz
First up is the ever-present, eternally free Thrifty Bitz. As the name suggests, this is the budget-friendly option. It’s always available, never runs out (thank goodness!), and serves as the introductory food for new players. While it won’t lure in the rarest or most elusive cats, it reliably attracts the common kitties – the bread and butter of your early game. Think of them as the friendly neighborhood cats who are happy with any offering. Cats like Socks, Snowball, and Shadow are often seen munching on Thrifty Bitz. Thrifty Bitz is crucial because it keeps the yard populated, offering a constant stream of silver fish. Don’t underestimate the power of free!
Frisky Bitz
Next, we move onto Frisky Bitz. This option costs a small amount of silver fish. Frisky Bitz serves as a slight upgrade, attracting a broader range of common cats and potentially increasing the frequency of visits. While the increase may be subtle, especially in the beginning, it’s a step up from Thrifty Bitz and a good option when you have a surplus of silver fish. Some cats that respond well to Frisky Bitz include Callie, Gabriel, and Patches. The increased cost provides a somewhat better attraction rate for the cost.
Ritzy Bitz
Finally, in the basic tier, there’s Ritzy Bitz. Costing a slightly steeper sum of silver fish, this offers another small boost in attraction power and the range of cats who enjoy the meal. If you’re looking to entice cats to linger for longer, Ritzy Bitz can provide a slightly extended visit. The difference is slight, though; the true advantage will come in more advanced offerings.
Stepping Up the Menu: Mid-Range Food for More Frequent Visits
Once you’ve amassed a reasonable collection of silver fish, it’s time to explore the mid-range food options. These cost more than the basic Bitz but offer a significant boost in attraction power and the chance to lure in some rarer cats.
Sashimi
Sashimi stands out as a popular choice. Purchased with silver fish, it offers a substantial increase in attraction, particularly for certain cats. Most notably, Tubbs, the notorious gluttonous cat, is drawn to Sashimi. While Tubbs consumes large amounts of food, he also leaves behind a generous amount of fish, making him a worthwhile visitor, even if he empties your bowl. Sashimi is also effective at attracting other, less demanding cats, making it a versatile choice for both attracting specific cats and increasing overall visitation rates.
Bonito Bitz
Then there’s Bonito Bitz. Purchased with gold fish, the premium currency of Neko Atsume, Bonito Bitz is a considerable investment. However, it offers a correspondingly higher attraction rate and the opportunity to lure in cats that rarely visit on Thrifty or Frisky Bitz. Bonito Bitz serves as a bridge between the common foods and the truly premium options, offering a noticeable improvement in visit frequency and cat variety. Because the food is purchased with gold fish, it is highly recommended to only use Bonito Bitz once you have acquired enough gold fish to make the food sustainable.
Deluxe Tuna Bitz
Lastly, among the Mid-Range foods, there is Deluxe Tuna Bitz. This tuna-infused option is also purchased with gold fish, and can bring more cats that otherwise wouldn’t show up. Be sure to stock up on this delectable meal, so the cats are well-fed!
The Culinary Elite: Premium Foods for the Rarest Cats
These are the top-tier food options, purchased with gold fish. They represent a significant investment but offer the greatest chance of attracting rare cats and maximizing your fish rewards. These foods are best used strategically, when you have enough gold fish to sustain their use and when you’re actively trying to attract a specific rare cat.
Creamy Broth
Creamy Broth is a soothing and delicious treat that is sure to draw cats from near and far to your yard. For some cats, the Creamy Broth is a must-have! So be sure to load up on the ingredient when trying to attract certain cats.
Tuna Juice
Next up is Tuna Juice. This irresistible beverage is worth the gold fish when trying to entice specific cats. The delicious Tuna Juice will be sure to please all the cats coming in and out of your yard.
Luxury Tuna
The crown jewel of the Neko Atsume food options is Luxury Tuna. This is the most expensive food in the game, but it also offers the highest attraction rate and the greatest chance of luring in even the most elusive rare cats. Luxury Tuna is your best bet for finally attracting that one cat you’ve been trying to catch for weeks. Its appeal is simply undeniable. Given its cost, it’s best to use Luxury Tuna when you are actively playing and can monitor your yard, ensuring that you don’t miss the arrival of your desired rare cat.
Strategies for Culinary Excellence: Maximizing Your Fish and Cat Collection
Choosing the right food is only half the battle. To truly master the art of Neko Atsume food management, you need to employ effective strategies.
Optimizing Fish Collection
One crucial aspect is optimizing fish collection. A smart approach involves using Thrifty Bitz when you’re not actively playing. This keeps the yard populated with common cats, generating a steady stream of silver fish. When you’re actively checking the game, switch to more expensive options like Sashimi, Bonito Bitz, or even Luxury Tuna, depending on your gold fish reserves and your desired cats. This maximizes your chances of attracting rare cats and earning larger fish rewards.
Attracting Specific Cats
Speaking of rare cats, attracting specific cats requires a targeted approach. Research which foods are most effective at luring your desired rare cat. For example, if you’re trying to attract Chairman Meow, try leaving out Luxury Tuna near his favorite item. Experiment with different food placements and toy combinations to find the optimal setup for attracting each rare cat.
Dealing with Tubbs
Don’t forget about Tubbs. This large cat consumes all food left out in the yard and leaves behind very little fish, and then takes up the spot for other cats to come into the yard. The most effective way to stop him is to leave food outside that he doesn’t like, so that other cats can come and visit your yard!
Food Placement
Finally, consider food placement. While cats will eventually find the food regardless of where it is placed, strategically placing food near their favorite toys can increase the likelihood of them interacting with both the food and the toy, leading to more memorable moments and potentially higher fish rewards.
Conclusion: A Feast for Felines and Players Alike
Food is the heart of Neko Atsume. Understanding the nuances of each food type, from the humble Thrifty Bitz to the luxurious Luxury Tuna, is key to attracting a diverse cast of cats, maximizing your fish earnings, and ultimately completing your cat collection. By strategically choosing your food, experimenting with different combinations, and employing smart management strategies, you can create a purrfect paradise for your feline visitors and reap the rewards of a thriving Neko Atsume yard. So, embrace the art of cat cuisine, experiment with different flavors, and most importantly, have fun watching your virtual cats enjoy their culinary delights. The world of Neko Atsume is best enjoyed with the knowledge of the foods needed to attract each cat, and now you are ready to be a master!
