The Best Animal Crossing Game?

Summary

In this video, the creator ranks all the main Animal Crossing games released in North America, sharing personal opinions on each installment. They evaluate the games based on mechanics, gameplay, nostalgia, hours played, and post-story content, while excluding time travel and hacks. The ranking spans from the nostalgic original Animal Crossing (A) to the underwhelming Amiibo Festival (D) and Pocket Camp (C). The creator highlights key additions and improvements, with New Horizons earning the top spot (S) for its transformative gameplay and extensive customization options, leaving viewers to reflect on their own favorite games in the series.

Takeaways

• 😀 The original Animal Crossing (GameCube) was a nostalgic, simple, and rewarding start to the series, with minimalistic mechanics and an immersive atmosphere.
• 😀 Wild World (DS) attempted to bring Animal Crossing to handhelds and added online play and new tools, but it didn't capture the magic of the original, earning a solid B.
• 😀 City Folk (Wii) was essentially an HD version of Wild World with the addition of a city for shopping and activities, but didn't stand out much, also receiving a B.
• 😀 New Leaf (3DS) was a significant step forward with town customization, public works projects, and Tortimer Island. It brought new levels of gameplay and replay value, earning an A.
• 😀 Animal Crossing Plaza (Wii U) was a failed spin-off intended to connect players via Miiverse but lacked real substance, resulting in an F.
• 😀 Happy Home Designer (3DS) was a house-designing spin-off that lacked challenge and didn't quite capture the essence of Animal Crossing, earning a C.
• 😀 Amiibo Festival (Wii U) was a Mario Party-like game that lacked mini-games and couldn't deliver much fun, so it got a D.
• 😀 Pocket Camp (Mobile) introduced crafting and a mobile version of the series, but its repetitive events and lack of atmosphere led to a C rating.
• 😀 New Horizons (Switch) received an S rating for its stunning visuals, expanded mechanics like terraforming, and 40 pocket spaces. It was praised for being a game with endless replay value, even though some quality-of-life updates were still needed.
• 😀 The reviewer values nostalgia and personal experiences with the games, which sometimes leads to subjective ratings (e.g., the original Animal Crossing getting an A).
• 😀 The review emphasizes that certain games, like Wild World and City Folk, felt like sequels that didn't improve enough to surpass their predecessors, while New Horizons took the series to new heights.

Q & A

Why is the original Animal Crossing considered a solid start to the series?

The original Animal Crossing (GameCube) is considered a solid start because it introduced the core mechanics of the series, such as village life, paying off loans, and interacting with quirky anthropomorphic villagers. Its simplicity and lack of tutorial encouraged exploration, leading players to get lost in its unique atmosphere.

What factors contribute to the nostalgia surrounding the original Animal Crossing game?

Nostalgia for the original Animal Crossing comes from its distinctive music, polygonal graphics, and the charm of its simple yet engaging gameplay. The player's first experience with the game creates lasting memories, and this sense of nostalgia may influence how it’s graded, making it feel special even after 20 years.

How does Wild World differ from the GameCube version in terms of gameplay and features?

Wild World introduced new mechanics like useable tools, the ability to draw constellations, and Wi-Fi features for visiting friends' towns. However, it removed some beloved holidays like Toy Day and Halloween, which affected replay value. While it was a decent upgrade, it didn't quite capture the same magic as the GameCube version, leaving some players nostalgic for the original.

What does the reviewer mean when comparing Wild World to a movie sequel?

The reviewer compares Wild World to a movie sequel because, while it was a good game, it didn’t offer enough new experiences to surpass the original. Like many sequels, it felt like a rehash of the original with some additions, but didn't achieve the same level of excitement or immersion.

What does City Folk bring to the table that differentiates it from Wild World?

City Folk introduced a city area, adding new shopping options and changing the scenery. It was essentially an HD version of Wild World, offering more of the same but with improved graphics and additional content. However, it didn’t drastically innovate, which is why the reviewer rates it similarly to Wild World.

What makes New Leaf stand out in the Animal Crossing series?

New Leaf stood out because it gave players control over town customization, allowing for the placement of benches, clocks, and changes to Town Hall. The addition of public works projects and Tortimer Island added depth and replay value. The ability to be mayor and make meaningful decisions about the town's layout was a fresh and exciting feature.

How does the reviewer describe the post-launch content in New Horizons?

New Horizons is praised for its extensive post-launch content, including continuous updates, new mechanics like terraforming, and a wealth of customization options. Although the timed updates may feel incomplete to some, the reviewer finds them engaging, as the game offers hundreds of hours of potential playtime and remains fresh due to these updates.

What is the significance of public works projects in New Leaf?

Public works projects in New Leaf were significant because they allowed players to place furniture and structures outside their homes, adding an extra layer of personalization to the town. They also provided long-term goals, with players working to fund and build various projects, thus extending the game's replay value.

Why does the reviewer give Animal Crossing Plaza an F grade?

The reviewer gives Animal Crossing Plaza an F because, while it allowed players to connect with others via Miiverse and share QR codes, it lacked meaningful gameplay. It felt redundant, as social media platforms like Twitter already offered similar functionalities, making the game's purpose and appeal limited.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Pocket Camp according to the reviewer?

Pocket Camp's strengths include introducing crafting to the series and its engaging mobile game design, with appealing visuals and a variety of furniture to collect. However, its repetitive in-game events and lack of deeper content made it feel limited after a while. The reviewer appreciates the game for what it was but feels it couldn’t fully capture the essence of Animal Crossing.