If there’s one thing that was incredibly disappointing about the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch, it’s that there has been no word of a new Animal Crossing game coming anytime soon. While it wasn’t too surprising that Animal Crossing wasn’t a launch title for the console, most were anticipating some sort of update in a Nintendo Direct that would indicate an expected timeline.
However, there has been absolutely zero word from Nintendo on whether the next Animal Crossing game is even in development or on the radar for a release anytime in the next year or two. Considering the radio silence, it’s probably safe to say that if we do get Animal Crossing in 2025, there’s only one thing it could be, and it wouldn’t necessarily be good news.
Animal Crossing Might Come To Nintendo Switch Online Next
Retro Animal Crossing Seems To Be The Only Possibility Anytime Soon
Considering that one of the biggest selling perks for the Nintendo Switch 2 is access to the GameCube virtual console on Nintendo Switch Online, it would be shocking if Nintendo didn’t load up the library with some big titles to draw people in even more. However, among the games teased for it, there’s been one glaring omission: the original Animal Crossing.
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Animal Crossing’s next entry will doubtless be possible, but I can’t help but think it’s set up to repeat franchise history in the worst way.
Considering how big a franchise Animal Crossing is for Nintendo, it’s shocking that it wasn’t included to celebrate the launch of GameCube on Nintendo Switch Online. Of course, people have been saying the same about the original Pokémon games as well for years, but that’s not entirely in Nintendo’s hands, whereas Animal Crossing is.
I think it’s possible that the reason for holding off on the addition of Animal Crossing could be for a similar reason to Pokémon. When you’re launching new titles consistently, it hardly makes any sense to launch retro titles that might draw players away from purchasing and playing a new release. However, the best time to do so is during big gaps between new releases to help keep players satiated in the meantime.
A GameCube Re-Release Would Be A Bad Sign For AC’s Next Game
Animal Crossing For NSO Is Great In Theory, But Not At The Cost Of New Content
Unfortunately, for the reasons mentioned above, Animal Crossing‘s release on NSO wouldn’t exactly be the good news we’re all hoping for. With no word on a new release, Animal Crossing on NSO seems to be the only plausible release over the next year, but this would likely mean that a new Animal Crossing is even further out on the horizon than we originally thought.
If Nintendo truly did release Animal Crossing as a way to tide players over, it would likely mean the next new addition to the franchise isn’t coming until 2027 or later. Which, considering that it’s already been 5 years since the last release, would be a bit of a hard pill to swallow.
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I Want To Believe The Latest Animal Crossing On Switch 2 Rumor, But It Seems Way Too Good To Be True
A new rumor has it that Nintendo is gearing up to announce a new Animal Crossing game as soon as next month, but I’m not convinced that it’s true.
The last gap between mainline releases was 8 years, which means these longer gaps might become the new norm as opposed to the typical 3-4-year gaps between earlier releases, if Animal Crossing continues to extend its release dates. Regardless of what happens, something is always better than nothing, I suppose, and if we have to wait regardless, Animal Crossing on NSO would be a nice gesture while we endure the wait.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
9/10
- Released
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March 20, 2020
- ESRB
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E for Everyone: Comic Mischief
