Dinkum Switch version complete strategy guide: Thorough explanation for beginners to advanced users! All methods and financial techniques to efficiently develop the island in the first month

Dinkum is an open world survival simulation game set in the Australian outback. The Switch version has the same high degree of freedom, and you can enjoy cultivating the island, interacting with residents, collecting resources, and building a town. Especially for beginners, it is important to know how to proceed in the early stages, and if you make the right choices in the first month, the later stages will go much smoother. In this guide, we will add more detailed information and provide a thorough explanation based on the tips and efficient ways to proceed that you must know at the beginning (first month). We have comprehensively summarized everything from site selection to financing, facility construction, and strengthening relationships with residents. By incorporating the operability and precautions specific to the Switch version, we have created a content that anyone can put into practice right away. The goal is to establish a stable source of income within a month and develop the island into a full-fledged town. Let's proceed step by step.

1. Immediately after starting the game: Essential preparations and mindset before starting life on the island

When you start Dinkum and create a new game, you will first arrive at the island by boat. At this point, the island's topography is randomly generated, so the island you choose first will greatly influence the island's development. A common mistake beginners make is deciding on a base in haste or rushing to gather resources. In reality, the golden rule is to explore the entire island before making a decision. In the Switch version, the controller stick operations are sensitive, so move slowly and check the terrain.

1-1. How to choose the optimal island terrain: Avoiding the trap of random generation

The topography of the island is randomly arranged including forests, rivers, deserts, and coasts. The ideal island meets all of the following conditions:

• Size of flat land: A flat land of at least 20 x 20 tiles. If you run out of space to build your house or farm, expansion will become a hassle later on.
• Access to the north, south, east, and west: short roads to forests (timber), mines (ore), deserts (iron ore), and the sea (fish and pearls). The center part is best.
• River width: The river is neither too narrow nor too wide. It is easy to build bridges and it is easy to fish near the water.
• Terrain to avoid: Islands with many steep slopes and islands full of forests. Movement efficiency is poor and fatigue accumulates in the early stages.

The trick to exploring is to circle immediately after arriving. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you don't like it, try a new game. The Switch version makes it easy to manage multiple save data, so you can easily retry the game. This choice alone will more than double your efficiency in the early stages.

1-2. Clear goal setting at the beginning: Securing 10,000 DB of funds and basic materials

The first goal is 10,000 DB (Dinkum Bucks) and 50 iron ore. You can now purchase licenses and repair your facility. On the first day, we set up a tent, and the next day we began full-scale activities. Time management is important, and a day (in-game) runs from 6 a.m. to midnight. Stamina is restored by eating.

2. The secret to choosing a location: Techniques for choosing a location that you won't regret in the long run

The base will be the “hub” of the island. If you get it wrong, you will be wasting your time traveling long distances every day. We will explain the criteria in detail.

2-1. Detailed criteria for terrain selection

standard	ideal conditions	reason	Switch version Tips
flat land size	30×30 tiles or more	Livestock shed/farm can be expanded	Measure accurately with a stick
access	Each area within 5 minutes	Streamline resource collection	Utilize map display
river width	3-5 tiles	Fishing and bridge building are easy.	Be careful when moving underwater
Terrain to avoid	Lots of slopes and rocks	Moving becomes stressful	If you use a lot of jumps, stamina consumption will increase.

2-2. Land preparation work around the base

After deciding on a base, level the ground with an ax and shovel. Remove trees and rocks and level it. Disposal is done in a recycling box. In the Switch version, you can work faster by repeatedly pressing the A button, but be careful of fatigue.

3. Completely understand the licensing system: solidify your foundation for growth

Dinkum's growth is determined by licensing. Purchase from Mayor Fletch (funds required). The initial priority order is as follows.

3-1. List of required licenses and acquisition timing

1. Travel Bag (500DB): Inventory expansion. I'll buy it now.
2. Trap License (1,000DB): You can make money by trapping animals.
3. Mining license (2,000DB): Obtain ore.
4. Fishing license (800DB): You can fish for money.

Movement Restrictions: You cannot enter some areas without a license. Save money systematically.

3-2. Advanced techniques for utilizing licenses

• Trap: Aiming for Ira Mu (selling at a high price). It will be installed deep in the forest.
• Mining: Helmet required. Dig iron and copper in caves.

4. Top priority resources in the early stages: How to secure money and ore efficiency

Lack of resources becomes a major barrier to progressing in the game. Priority goes from funds to ore.

4-1. Basic cycle of earning money

Day 1: Secure initial funds by lumberjacking and collecting stones. From the 2nd day: Fishing and fruit sales will be held.

4-2. Professional techniques for obtaining ore

• Iron Ore: Hammer desert graystone. The goal is 20 pieces a day.
• Note: Enemies will appear at night. Please bring a torch.

5. Strengthening relationships with residents: Interaction techniques to maximize favorability

If the residents' favorability rating reaches 4 or higher, you will receive gifts and recipes. Recycled box recipes are especially powerful.

5-1. Favorite foods of each resident and ways to improve efficiency

residents	favorite	AC method	reward
Fletch	fish	I'll talk to you	Request for house construction
john	fossil	use the store	It's a high price purchase
others	fruit	I'll give you a gift	It's a recipe

If you talk to them every day and clear their quests, your favorability will increase significantly.

6. The best money strategy route for beginners: How to earn more than 5,000 DB per day

Money is the lifeblood of the game. Build multiple sources of stable income.

6-1. Fish cooking money plan (3,000DB per day)

We catch cheap fish (mackerel, etc.), cook them, and sell them. Cooktops are available from the beginning.

6-2. Home orchard fruit cultivation (long-term stability)

Repair the home garden (requires 100 wood). We plant bananas and mangoes and harvest them every day.

6-3. Glowing disc/amber sale (random high price)

If you find it while exploring, sell it immediately at John's store.

6-4. Animal capture (Iriramu specialized)

Set traps, catch and sell them. One animal is 2,000DB.

6-5. Advanced financial strategy: Pearl diving

Dive into the sea and collect pearls. The exchange rate is very high.

7. Must-have item at the beginning: Stock technique with zero regrets

Please collect the following items first.

7-1. Camera (purchased after museum)

Photos can improve residents' favorability.

7-2. Iron ore/pearl

Essential for facility repair and decoration.

8. Early priority facilities: Increase efficiency with teletower and bulletin board

8-1. Teletower repair (teleportation)

Repair with ore. Travel to each area will be almost zero.

8-2. Bulletin board (quest management)

You can complete resident quests efficiently.

9. Development plan after one month: Full-scale start of town development

We aim to complete the house, raise chickens, and install a mine elevator in one month. Transition to agriculture and landscape maintenance.

9-1. Livestock and agriculture expansion

Build a chicken coop and sell the eggs. Cultivate vegetables in the field.

9-2. Conquering the deep mines

Elevators take you to new areas.

10. Switch version specific tips: Operation optimization and precautions

• Operation: Open inventory with Z trigger. Be careful not to hit repeatedly.
• In case of a crash, please make sure you saved just before.
• Inviting your friends to help make your money even easier.

11. Expansion strategy after the middle stage: up to end content

Mine bosses, airships, and a major city expansion await. I will explain the details on another occasion.

Summary: Turn your island into the ultimate paradise

If you follow this guide, you will be able to enjoy the best part of Dinkum in the first month. If you are thorough in everything from site selection to financial planning and facility construction, the speed of development will dramatically increase. Please enjoy the highly flexible Switch version and create your ideal island.