Difference between revisions of "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer"

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer''}}
 
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer''}}
 
{{Infobox Video Game
 
{{Infobox Video Game
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|title= [[File:AC Happy Home Designer logo.png|200px]]
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|title         = [[File:HHD Logo English.png|200px|Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer]]
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|image= [[File:Happy Home Designer Boxart for North America.png|200px]]
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|image         = [[File:HHD Box North America.png|200px]]
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|theme= [[File:Main Theme HHD.mp3|Main theme]]
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|caption      = North American box art
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|developer= [[wikipedia:Nintendo EAD|Nintendo EAD]]
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|theme         = [[File:Main Theme HHD.mp3|Main theme]]
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|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
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|developer     = Nintendo EAD
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|distributor =  
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|publisher     = Nintendo
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|designer=
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|platforms    = [[Nintendo 3DS]]
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|series= ''[[Animal Crossing (series)|Animal Crossing]]''
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|released     = {{Flag|JPN}} July 30, 2015<ref name="Japanese website">{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/edhj/index.html|title=どうぶつの森　ハッピーホームデザイナー|site=nintendo.co.jp|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref><br>{{Flag|USA}} September 25, 2015<ref name="E3 2015">{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|date=September 14, 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C73f618-3pk&ab_channel=Nintendo|title=Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2015|site=YouTube|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref>{{Note|As of January 2021, the game's North American product page erroneously lists its release date as September 24, 2015.<ref name="NoA Product Page">{{Cite web|author=Nintendo of America|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-3ds/|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo Game Details|site=nintendo.com|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref>}}<br>{{Flag|EUR}} October 2, 2015<ref name="European website">{{Cite web|author=Nintendo of Europe|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Animal-Crossing-Happy-Home-Designer-1009406.html|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer|site=nintendo.co.uk|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref><br>{{Flag|AUS}} October 3, 2015<ref name="Australian website">{{Cite web|author=Nintendo of Australia|url=https://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer/|title=Animal Crossing - Happy Home Designer|site=nintendo.com.au|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
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|engine =
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|genre        = Sandbox
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|picture_format=
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|modes        = Single-player
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|released = {{Flag|JPN}} July 30, 2015<br>{{Flag|USA}} September 25, 2015<br>{{Flag|EUR}} October 2, 2015<br>{{Flag|AUS}} October 3, 2015
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|ratings      = {{Rating|ESRB=E<ref name="NoA Product Page"/>|PEGI=3<ref name="European website"/>|ACB=G<ref name="Australian website"/>|CERO=A<ref name="Japanese website"/>}}
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|modes =  
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|media        = Nintendo 3DS Game Card<br>Digital download
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|genre= [[wikipedia:Glossary of video game terms#Sandbox game|Sandbox game]]
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|requirements = 3,786 Blocks<ref name="NoA Product Page"/>{{Note|Approximately 484 MB}}
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|ratings = {{Rating|ESRB=E<ref>https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/E8unDOiVHwQcSlwyvxlsEuoZ1l-b7NNE</ref>|PEGI=3<ref>https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Animal-Crossing-Happy-Home-Designer-1009406.html</ref>|ACB=G<ref>http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/View.aspx?sid=%2bhaFuk%2bGpURFfgcbtemDGA%253d%253d&ncdctx=T1BBdSvqijmUyQq4K8B0JQZrSXJkS1qQb8K0nLu3PlJCHCYw0S5d74RLBM613FdstxLrEWlQceXYBwhYzJ4B1Q%253d%253d</ref>|CERO=A}}
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|strategywiki = Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
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|platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]]
 
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|media= 3DS Game Card and [[wikipedia:Nintendo eShop|eShop]] download
 
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|requirements=  
 
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|input= Nintendo 3DS circle pad and D-Pad
 
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|strategywiki = Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
 
 
}}
 
}}
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'''''Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer'''''{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森 ハッピーホームデザイナー|Dōbutsu no Mori: Happī Hōmu Dezainā|Animal Forest: Happy Home Designer}}}} is a home-design simulation game developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. The game was announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation on April 1, 2015,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMedqo8mLaQ Nintendo Direct (April 1, 2015) - YouTube @ 41:06]</ref> and debuted in Japan on July 30, 2015, in North America on September 25, 2015, and in Europe on October 2, 2015. The game is described as a spinoff title separate from the core {{SER}} and features a more relaxed playstyle that allows for enhanced creativity.<ref>https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/animal_crossing_director_talks_more_about_happy_home_designer_and_amiibo</ref> {{HHD|short|nolink}} is also the first title to make use of [[amiibo card]]s, Nintendo's latest addition to its line-up of proprietary [[amiibo|toys-to-life collectable]]s featuring [[Wikipedia:Near field communication|NFC technology]].
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'''''Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer''''' is a sandbox game for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] released in 2015. It is spin-off entry in the {{SER}} where the player designs homes for clients. It is also the first entry in the series to be compatible with [[amiibo]], utilizing a series of ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo cards that were released alongside the game.
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Similar to previous entries in the {{SER|nolink}}, the game takes place in an animal [[town]] and features a small commercial area similar to the [[city]] in {{CF}}. The player assumes the role of an employee working for [[Nook's Homes]] as an interior designer, taking on thematic design requests from the [[villager]]s that walk by in the game's main plaza. To aid in the design process {{HHD|short|nolink}} provides an enhanced user interface and item categorization system that allows for the quick lookup and precise placement of items in both interior and exterior spaces. The game draws upon the extensive item catalog established in previous {{PG|nolink}} iterations to furnish the homes and introduces new item categories such as carpets with customizable sizes and ceiling decor.
 
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
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{{HHD|nolink|short}}<nowiki>'</nowiki>s visuals share a similar graphical style with {{NL}} and most of the assets brought over from that title remain seemingly unchanged in appearance. However, despite similar visuals, {{HHD|nolink|short}}'s core gameplay is vastly different from other {{PG|nolink}} games. While previous titles focused on an open-ended playstyle, {{HHD|nolink|short}} takes a specific gameplay element, interior design, and expands upon it to create a unique {{PG|nolink}} experience. The game achieves this through its new user interface which turns the bottom screen of the Nintendo 3DS into a top-down floor planner where the player can easily manipulate objects in the room using the stylus. An expansive catalog is also included and features a new categorization system that groups together items of a similar theme or function. As the player completes more of the villagers' requests, additional items are unlocked.
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In {{HHD|nolink}}, the player works for [[Nook's Homes]] and takes on clients who request a home to be designed for them. The game's visuals share a similar graphical style with {{NL}} and most of the assets brought over from that title remain seemingly unchanged in appearance. However, despite similar visuals, {{HHD|nolink|short}}'s core gameplay is vastly different from other {{PG|nolink}} games. While previous titles focused on an open-ended playstyle, {{HHD|nolink|short}} takes a specific gameplay element, interior design, and expands upon it to create a unique {{PG|nolink}} experience. The game achieves this through its new user interface which turns the bottom screen of the Nintendo 3DS into a top-down floor planner where the player can easily manipulate objects in the room using the stylus. An expansive catalog is also included and features a new categorization system that groups together items of a similar theme or function. As the player completes more of the villagers' requests, additional items are unlocked.
  
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In keeping with other {{PG|nolink}} titles, {{HHD|nolink|short}} allows the player to customize their character according to their tastes and is the first game in the series to allow the player to permanently set their skin color. In previous titles, darker skin could only be obtained by [[tan]]ning and would fade unless properly maintained. All of the available hair colors and styles from {{NL|short|nolink}} are brought over, although the hairstyles are gender-specific; female players cannot initially choose male-designated hairstyles. The player can also choose their eye shape and color at the beginning of the game. Unlike previous titles, the player's initial suit is permanent and cannot be changed, however, other articles of clothing can be changed and do not conform to the character's gender.
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In keeping with other ''Animal Crossing'' titles, {{HHD|nolink|short}} allows the player to customize their character according to their tastes and is the first game in the series to allow the player to permanently set their skin color. In previous titles, darker skin could only be obtained by [[tan]]ning and would fade unless properly maintained. All of the available hair colors and styles from {{NL|short|nolink}} are brought over, although the hairstyles are gender-specific; female players cannot initially choose male-designated hairstyles. The player can also choose their eye shape and color at the beginning of the game. Unlike previous titles, the player's initial suit is permanent and cannot be changed, however, other articles of clothing can be changed and do not conform to the character's gender.
  
 
===amiibo functionality===
 
===amiibo functionality===
 
{{See also|amiibo}}
 
{{See also|amiibo}}
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Along with the announcement of the game, physical ''Animal Crossing''-themed cards featuring various characters from {{NL|short}} were revealed. The cards are a more portable form of [[amiibo]] that can be used with the game to design a house for the character on the card. The cards can also be used to invite characters to visit homes the player has designed, where the player can watch and take pictures of the villagers interacting with one another. The cards can be scanned directly using the [[Nintendo_3DS#Redesigns|New Nintendo 3DS]]'s built-in NFC reader. For owners of the standard 3DS and 2DS, a separate NFC reader will be released alongside the game and cards to ensure compatibility. {{HHD|short|nolink}} is also compatible with the [[Villager (Super Smash Bros. series)|Villager]] [[amiibo]], and when scanned will unlock a gold villager statue, an exclusive furniture item that can be used to decorate villager homes. <ref>http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2015/08/02/villager-amiibo-is-compatible-with-animal-crossing-happy-home-designer/</ref>
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Along with the announcement of the game, physical ''Animal Crossing''-themed cards featuring various characters from {{NL|short}} were revealed. The cards are a more portable form of [[amiibo]] that can be used with the game to design a house for the character on the card. The cards can also be used to invite characters to visit homes the player has designed, where the player can watch and take pictures of the villagers interacting with one another. The cards can be scanned directly using the [[Nintendo_3DS#Redesigns|New Nintendo 3DS]]'s built-in NFC reader. For owners of the standard 3DS and 2DS, a separate NFC reader will be released alongside the game and cards to ensure compatibility. {{HHD|short|nolink}} is also compatible with the [[Villager (Super Smash Bros. series)|Villager]] [[amiibo]], and when scanned will unlock a Villager Statue, an exclusive furniture item that can be used to decorate villager homes.
  
 
==Development==
 
==Development==
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{{HHD|nolink|short}} was produced by [[Aya Kyogoku]] and [[Hisashi Nogami]], with direction credits by Isao Moro, and is the first {{PG|nolink}} title to have a female producer, the second title being {{AMF}}, also produced by Kyogoku. It is also the first time that Katsuya Eguchi, producer of {{WW}}, {{CF|short}}, and {{NL|short}}, and director on all other previous {{PG|nolink}} titles, has not played a lead role in development. Co-producer Hisashi Nogami, who has served as director for nearly every {{PG|nolink}} title to date, makes his return to the series after his absence during {{NL|nolink}}'s development period (during which time he was producing [[inkipedia:Splatoon|Splatoon]]).
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{{HHD|nolink|short}} was produced by [[Aya Kyogoku]] and [[Hisashi Nogami]], with direction credits by Isao Moro, and was the first {{PG|nolink}} title to have a female producer, the second title being {{AMF}}, also produced by Kyogoku. It was also the first time that Katsuya Eguchi, series creator, producer of {{WW}}, {{CF|short}}, and {{NL|short}}, and director of all previous ''Animal Crossing'' titles, did not play a lead role in development. Co-producer Hisashi Nogami, who served as director for nearly every ''Animal Crossing'' title at the time, made his return to the series after his absence during {{NL|nolink}}'s development period{{Note|During {{NL|short|nolink}}'s development, Nogami was working as the producer for ''[[inkipedia:Splatoon|Splatoon]]''.}}
  
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A hint as to {{HHD|nolink|short}}'s development came in March 2014 when {{NL|nolink}} producer [[Katsuya Eguchi]] stressed that the next game in the {{SER}}, if developed for a new console, would need to fully integrate its unique features into its design to "create a new way of playing Animal Crossing".<ref>http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-quiet-revolution-how-animal-crossing-has-embraced-the-future</ref> While {{HHD|nolink|short}} was ultimately released on the 3DS as a spinoff title and not as a continuation of the core {{SER|nolink}}, its focus on [[amiibo card]]s and the NFC capabilities of the [[Nintendo_3DS#Redesigns|New Nintendo 3DS]] is no accident. In an interview with USgamer, {{HHD|nolink|short}} producer Aya Kyogoku stated that Nintendo's [[amiibo]] line played a primary role in the title's development, even going so far as to say that the title was created for the sole purpose of generating a set of {{PG|nolink}} amiibo in the process. "Honestly, we just wanted ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo. We wanted the company to make ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo, so that's why we made a game that works with them."<ref>http://www.usgamer.net/articles/honestly-we-just-wanted-animal-crossing-amiibo-aya-kyogoku-on-the-genesis-of-amiibo-festival-and-happy-home-designer</ref>
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In an interview with USgamer, {{HHD|nolink|short}} producer Aya Kyogoku stated that Nintendo's [[amiibo]] line played a primary role in the title's development, going so far as to say that the title was created for the sole purpose of generating a set of ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo in the process: "Honestly, we just wanted ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo. We wanted the company to make ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo, so that's why we made a game that works with them."<ref>{{Cite web|author=Jeremy Parish|date=July 9, 2015|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/honestly-we-just-wanted-animal-crossing-amiibo-aya-kyogoku-on-the-genesis-of-amiibo-festival-and-happy-home-designer|title="Honestly, we just wanted Animal Crossing Amiibo": Nintendo's Aya Kyogoku on Evolving The Series|site=USgamer}}</ref>
  
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According to Kyogoku, the inspiration for the interior design gameplay element came from the development team's experience designing villager homes in previous games, imagining how these villagers live out their lives, and thinking about how fun it would be to share that experience with the player. <ref name="ninlife">http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/animal_crossing_director_talks_more_about_happy_home_designer_and_amiibo</ref> The team also focused on allowing the player to bring their unique vision into each design, and while a budget limit had been taken into consideration at some point in the development cycle, it was decided that it would be best not to impose any external limitations on the player's design choices. <ref name="ninlife"/>  
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According to Kyogoku, the inspiration for the interior design gameplay element came from the development team's experience designing villager homes in previous games, imagining how these villagers live out their lives, and thinking about how it would be fun to share that experience with the player.<ref name="ninlife">{{Cite web|author=Mitch Vogel|date=June 25, 2015|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/animal_crossing_director_talks_more_about_happy_home_designer_and_amiibo|title=Animal Crossing Director Talks More About Happy Home Designer and amiibo|site=Nintendo Life}}</ref> The team also focused on allowing the player to bring their unique vision into each design, and while a budget limit had been taken into consideration at some point in the development cycle, it was decided that it would be best not to impose any external limitations on the player's design choices. <ref name="ninlife"/>  
  
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===Announcement===  
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===Announcement===
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Further details and gameplay were shown during Nintendo's [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo 2015|Electronic Entertainment Expo 2015]] presentation on June 16, 2015.
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{{HHD|nolink}} was announced alongside ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo cards in a Nintendo Direct on April 1, 2015, in which gameplay was shown off and a release window of fall 2015 was revealed.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|date=April 1, 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMedqo8mLaQ&ab_channel=Nintendo|title=Nintendo Direct 4.1.2015|site=YouTube}}</ref>
  
 
==Release==
 
==Release==
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{{HHD|nolink}} was released in Japan on June 30, 2015 and was released on September 25, 2015 in North America and October 2, 2015 in Europe. It was released on October 3, 2015 in Australia due to time zones.{{Citation Needed}}
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{{HHD|nolink}} was released in Japan on July 30, 2015, and it was released internationally two months later, on September 25 in North America, on October 2 in Europe, and on October 3 in Australia. More gameplay was shown at Nintendo's Digital Event at E3 2015, along with the final North American release date of September 25, 2015.<ref name="E3 2015"/>
  
 
===Bundles, special edition console, and faceplates===
 
===Bundles, special edition console, and faceplates===
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Nintendo of Japan announced in a May 31, 2015 Nintendo Direct that {{HHD|nolink}} would be launching in several formats.<ref>https://youtu.be/XUxgnYVD_-Q</ref> Game bundles include a special edition New Nintendo 3DS XL with a pre-installed copy of {{HHD|short|nolink}} on a 4 GB micro SDHC card at an MSRP of 22,000 yen, and a physical {{HHD|short|nolink}} bundle with NFC Reader accessory included at an MSRP of 5,000 yen. Both bundles would launch alongside the standalone physical release of {{HHD|nolink|short}} and special edition New Nintendo 3DS cover plates in Japan on July 30, 2015.<ref>http://nintendonews.com/2015/05/animal-crossing-new-nintendo-3ds-xl-japan/</ref>
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Nintendo of Japan announced in a May 31, 2015 Nintendo Direct that {{HHD|nolink}} would be launching in several formats.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUxgnYVD_-Q</ref><sup>[dead link]</sup> Game bundles included a special edition New Nintendo 3DS XL with a pre-installed copy of {{HHD|short|nolink}} on a 4 GB micro SDHC card at an MSRP of ¥22,000, and a physical {{HHD|short|nolink}} bundle with NFC Reader accessory included at an MSRP of ¥5,000. Both bundles launched alongside the standalone physical release of {{HHD|nolink|short}} and special edition New Nintendo 3DS cover plates in Japan on July 30, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Kevin McMinn|date=May 31, 2015|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113075039/http://nintendonews.com/news/3ds/animal-crossing-new-nintendo-3ds-xl-japan/|title=Animal Crossing New 3DS XL Announced for Japan|site=Nintendo News|archive-date=January 13, 2017}}</ref>
  
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Nintendo of Europe announced their regional bundles on June 27, 2015.<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2015/July/Happy-days-on-Nintendo-3DS-with-Animal-Crossing-Happy-Home-Designer-1037329.html</ref> In addition to the special edition New Nintendo 3DS XL and NFC bundle released in Japan, Europe is also receiving a white New Nintendo 3DS bundle with {{HHD|short|nolink}} cover plates. Pre-orders for the various bundles went live on August 13, 2015.<ref>http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2015/08/13/animal-crossing-amiibo-card-pre-orders-open-on-nintendo-official-uk-store/</ref> Those ordering from Nintendo Store UK will also receive a {{HHD|nolink|short}} Nintendo 3DS Kit which includes a universal system case, three styluses, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Additional "packs" are also available that include Cover Plate 05, Cover Plate 06, the Animal Crossing amiibo cards Collectors Album, or the European-exclusive Cover Plate 27 in addition to one of the console bundles.
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Nintendo of Europe announced their regional bundles on June 27, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo of Europe|date=July 27, 2015|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2015/July/Happy-days-on-Nintendo-3DS-with-Animal-Crossing-Happy-Home-Designer-1037329.html|title=Happy days on Nintendo 3DS with Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer|site=nintendo.co.uk}}</ref> In addition to the special edition New Nintendo 3DS XL and NFC bundle released in Japan, Europe also received a white New Nintendo 3DS bundle with {{HHD|short|nolink}} cover plates. Pre-orders for the various bundles went live on August 13, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Alex Seedhouse|date=August 13, 2015|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613022348/http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2015/08/animal-crossing-amiibo-card-pre-orders-open-on-nintendo-official-uk-store/|title=Animal Crossing amiibo Card pre-orders open on Nintendo Official UK Store|site=Nintendo Insider|archive-date=June 13, 2016}}</ref> Those who ordered from Nintendo Store UK also received a {{HHD|nolink|short}} Nintendo 3DS Kit which included a universal system case, three styluses, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Additional "packs" were also available that included Cover Plate 05, Cover Plate 06, the ''Animal Crossing'' amiibo cards Collectors Album, or the European-exclusive Cover Plate 27 in addition to one of the console bundles.
  
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Despite rumors of the special edition New Nintendo 3DS console making its way to North America<ref>http://alwaysnintendo.com/north-america-getting-an-animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-special-edition-new-3ds-xl/</ref>, the only bundle made available for pre-order by retailers thus far is the {{HHD|nolink|short}} NFC reader bundle.
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In North America two {{HHD|short|nolink}} bundles were released: one that included a New Nintendo 3DS with Cover Plates themed after Isabelle, and one that included the Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo of America|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028213510if_/http://www.animal-crossing.com/happy-home-designer/buy/|title=Buy Now - Animal Crossing™: Happy Home Designer for Nintendo 3DS|site=animal-crossing.com|archive-date=October 28, 2015|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
  
 
===Promotion===
 
===Promotion===
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Nintendo has partnered with Japanese 7-Eleven stores to release exclusive villagers and themed furniture compatible with {{HHD|short|nolink}}.<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/edhj/collabo/index.html</ref> On August 18, 2015, a goodbye message from Isabelle was posted to the official ''Animal Crossing'' Twitter account [https://twitter.com/animalcrossing @Isabelle] stating that Lottie would be taking over the account for the time being.
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Nintendo partnered with Japanese 7-Eleven stores and Capcom to release exclusive villagers and themed furniture for {{HHD|short|nolink}}.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818074118/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/edhj/collabo/index.html|title=どうぶつの森　ハッピーホームデザイナー オリジナルキャラクター＆アイテム配信決定！|site=nintendo.co.jp|archive-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> On August 18, 2015, a goodbye message from Isabelle was posted to the official ''Animal Crossing'' Twitter account stating that Lottie would be taking over the account for the time being.<!--{{Citation Needed}}-->
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In North America GameStop held a promotion where those who pre-ordered the game would receive an exclusive poster.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Justin|date=2015|url=https://animalcrossingworld.com/2015/08/exclusive-art-poster-with-animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-pre-order-at-gamestop/|title=Exclusive Art Poster with Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer pre-order at GameStop|site=Animal Crossing World|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
  
 
==Reception==
 
==Reception==
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Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu rated {{HHD|short|nolink}} 35/40. The reviewers felt the new user interface and touch controls enhanced the design experience and the ability to decorate new building types such as a school or hospital was refreshing. However, one reviewer expressed disappointment that designs were not graded and that any design submitted would receive a positive reaction from the villager who requested it, making the design experience less rewarding.<ref>http://animalcrossingworld.com/2015/08/famitsu-review-scoring-animal-crossing-happy-home-designer/</ref> IGN's Kallie Plagge praised the game for its "freedom to be creative", giving it an 8.0 "Great" score. She was, however, disappointed that the player character lacks a house of their own, as well as the experience sometimes feeling unrewarding. <ref>http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/09/22/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-review</ref>
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{{HHD|nolink}} received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Nintendo Life and IGN were mostly positive, praising the game's designer tools and sandbox nature, but criticizing it for a lack of challenge or a sense of progression.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Damien McFerran|date=September 22, 2015|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/animal_crossing_happy_home_designer#comments|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review|site=Nintendo Life|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Kallie Plagge|date=September 22, 2015|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/22/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-review|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review|site=IGN|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref> GameSpot was more critical of the game, criticizing the lack of content present in main series ''Animal Crossing'' games, while also sharing the criticisms of its challenge.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Justin Haywald|date=October 16, 2015|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-review/1900-6416282/|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review|site=GameSpot|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref> On Metacritic, the game received an aggregated score of 66 out of 100, from 60 critic reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for 3DS Reviews|site=Metacritic|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
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===Scores===
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*Metacritic (aggregate) – 66/100
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*IGN – 8/10
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*GameSpot – 5/10
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*GameRadar+ – 4/5<ref>{{Cite web|author=Daniella Lucas|date=September 22, 2015|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-review/|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review|retrieved=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
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*Nintendo Life –  7/10
  
 
===Sales===
 
===Sales===
−
According to a weekly sales report by Media Create, {{HHD|nolink}} sold 523,000 units in Japan during its first four days of release, selling through 76.29% of its initial shipment. <ref name="alwaysnintendo">alwaysnintendo.com/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-dominates-japanese-sales-charts/</ref> In comparison, {{NL}} sold over 600,000 units during its launch window with a sell-through rate of 96.09%. <ref name="alwaysnintendo"/> {{HHD|short|nolink}} topped the weekly charts again in its second and third week of sale, moving an additional 181,377<ref>http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2015/08/12/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-success-continues-in-japan/</ref> and 140,235<ref>http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2015/08/20/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-unchallenged-in-japanese-sales-chart/</ref> units respectively before dropping to second place in its fourth and fifth week with sales of 65,904<ref>http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/super-robots-overthrow-animals-as-animal-crossing-slips-to-second-place-in-the-japanese-charts/0154925</ref> and 48,978<ref>http://gematsu.com/2015/09/media-create-sales-82415-83015</ref> units respectively. As of the week ending August 30<sup>th</sup>, 2015 the game had a lifetime total of 959,049 copies sold in Japan. As part of their earnings release statement, Nintendo reported sales of 3.04 million units for {{HHD|short|nolink}} during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.<ref>https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/160427e.pdf</ref>
+
According to a weekly sales report by Media Create, {{HHD|nolink}} sold 523,000 units in Japan during its first four days of release, selling through 76.29% of its initial shipment. <ref name="alwaysnintendo">{{Cite web|author=Alex Irish|date=August 9, 2015|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815001529/http://alwaysnintendo.com/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-dominates-japanese-sales-charts/|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Dominates Japanese Sales Charts|archive-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref> In comparison, {{NL}} sold over 600,000 units during its launch window with a sell-through rate of 96.09%.<ref name="alwaysnintendo"/> {{HHD|short|nolink}} topped the weekly charts again in its second and third week of sale, moving an additional 181,377<ref>{{Cite web|author=Alex Seedhouse|date=August 12, 2015|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813014622/https://www.nintendo-insider.com/2015/08/12/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-success-continues-in-japan/|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer success continues in Japan|site=Nintendo Insider|archive-date=August 13, 2015}}</ref> and 140,235<ref>{{Cite web|author=Alex Seedhouse|date=August 20, 2015|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621194533/http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2015/08/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer-unchallenged-in-japanese-sales-chart/|title=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer unchallenged in Japanese sales chart|site=Nintendo Insider|archive-date=June 21, 2016}}</ref> units respectively before dropping to second place in its fourth and fifth week with sales of 65,904<ref>{{Cite web|author=MCV Staff|date=August 26, 2015|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/super-robots-overthrow-animals-as-animal-crossing-slips-to-second-place-in-the-japanese-charts/|title=Super Robots overthrow animals as Animal Crossing slips to second place in the Japanese charts|site=MCV/DEVELOP}}</ref> and 48,978<ref>{{Cite web|author=Sal Romano|date=September 2, 2015|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2015/09/media-create-sales-82415-83015|title=Media Create Sales: 8/24/15 – 8/30/15|site=Gematsu}}</ref> units respectively. As of the week ending August 30, 2015 the game had a lifetime total of 959,049 copies sold in Japan. As part of their earnings release statement, Nintendo reported sales of 3.04 million units for {{HHD|short|nolink}} during the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|date=April 27, 2016|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/160427e.pdf|title=Consolidated Results for the Years Ended March 31, 2015 and 2016}}</ref>
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
{{Gallery}}
 
{{Gallery}}
−
<gallery>
 
−
Happy Home Designer - Cards.png|The ''Animal Crossing'' [[amiibo]] cards, featuring [[Isabelle]], [[Peanut]], and [[Goose]]
 
−
Happy Home Designer - Direct Screenshot 1.png|A gameplay screenshot from the Nintendo Direct, featuring [[Lopez]]
 
−
Happy Home Designer - Direct Screenshot 2.png|Another gameplay screenshot from the Nintendo Direct, featuring [[Goldie]]
 
−
Happy Home Designer - Choosing House Location.png|A gameplay screenshot from E3 2015 showing the player deciding on a home location
 
−
Happy Home Designer - Squeeze between items.png|A gameplay screenshot from E3 2015 showing the player sliding between two pieces of furniture
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Names in other languages==
 
==Names in other languages==
 
{{Foreignname
 
{{Foreignname
−
|ja=どうぶつの森 ハッピーホームデザイナー
+
|ja=''どうぶつの森 ハッピーホームデザイナー''
−
|ja-r=Dōbutsu no Mori Happī Hōmu Dezainā
+
|ja-r=''Dōbutsu no Mori Happī Hōmu Dezainā''
−
|ja-m=Animal Forest: Happy Home Designer
+
|ja-m=''Animal Forest: Happy Home Designer''
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 84: Line 79:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
{{reflist|colwidth=50em}}
+
{{Reflist}}
−
{{reflist}}
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 +
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/edhj/index.html Japanese website]
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20151029225318/http://animal-crossing.com/happy-home-designer/ North American website] (archived)
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20151029225318/http://animal-crossing.com/happy-home-designer/ North American website] (archived)
−
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/edhj/index.html Japanese website]
+
*[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Animal-Crossing-Happy-Home-Designer-1009406.html European product page]
 +
*[https://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/animal-crossing-happy-home-designer/ Australian website]
  
 
{{Animal Crossing}}
 
{{Animal Crossing}}
 
[[Category:Video games]]
 
[[Category:Video games]]
−
[[Category:Animal Crossing series]]
 

Revision as of 18:23, February 8, 2021


HHD Box North America.png
North American box art
Main theme
Developer(s) Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Platform(s) Nintendo 3DS
Release date(s) Japan July 30, 2015[1]
United States of America September 25, 2015[2][nb 1]
Europe October 2, 2015[4]
Australia October 3, 2015[5]
Genre(s) Sandbox
Modes Single-player
Ratings ACB: [[File:ACB G[5].svg|16px|G[5]|link=|alt=]] G[5]
CERO: [[File:CERO A[1].svg|16px|A[1]|link=|alt=]] A[1]
ESRB: [[File:ESRB E[3].svg|16px|E[3]|link=|alt=]] E[3]
PEGI: [[File:PEGI 3[4].svg|16px|3[4]|link=|alt=]] 3[4]
Media Nintendo 3DS Game Card
Digital download
File size 3,786 Blocks[3][nb 2]

Guide at StrategyWiki

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer is a sandbox game for the Nintendo 3DS released in 2015. It is spin-off entry in the Animal Crossing series where the player designs homes for clients. It is also the first entry in the series to be compatible with amiibo, utilizing a series of Animal Crossing amiibo cards that were released alongside the game.

Gameplay

In Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, the player works for Nook's Homes and takes on clients who request a home to be designed for them. The game's visuals share a similar graphical style with Animal Crossing: New Leaf and most of the assets brought over from that title remain seemingly unchanged in appearance. However, despite similar visuals, Happy Home Designer's core gameplay is vastly different from other Animal Crossing games. While previous titles focused on an open-ended playstyle, Happy Home Designer takes a specific gameplay element, interior design, and expands upon it to create a unique Animal Crossing experience. The game achieves this through its new user interface which turns the bottom screen of the Nintendo 3DS into a top-down floor planner where the player can easily manipulate objects in the room using the stylus. An expansive catalog is also included and features a new categorization system that groups together items of a similar theme or function. As the player completes more of the villagers' requests, additional items are unlocked.

In keeping with other Animal Crossing titles, Happy Home Designer allows the player to customize their character according to their tastes and is the first game in the series to allow the player to permanently set their skin color. In previous titles, darker skin could only be obtained by tanning and would fade unless properly maintained. All of the available hair colors and styles from New Leaf are brought over, although the hairstyles are gender-specific; female players cannot initially choose male-designated hairstyles. The player can also choose their eye shape and color at the beginning of the game. Unlike previous titles, the player's initial suit is permanent and cannot be changed, however, other articles of clothing can be changed and do not conform to the character's gender.

amiibo functionality

See also: amiibo

Along with the announcement of the game, physical Animal Crossing-themed cards featuring various characters from New Leaf were revealed. The cards are a more portable form of amiibo that can be used with the game to design a house for the character on the card. The cards can also be used to invite characters to visit homes the player has designed, where the player can watch and take pictures of the villagers interacting with one another. The cards can be scanned directly using the New Nintendo 3DS's built-in NFC reader. For owners of the standard 3DS and 2DS, a separate NFC reader will be released alongside the game and cards to ensure compatibility. Happy Home Designer is also compatible with the Villager amiibo, and when scanned will unlock a Villager Statue, an exclusive furniture item that can be used to decorate villager homes.

Development

Happy Home Designer was produced by Aya Kyogoku and Hisashi Nogami, with direction credits by Isao Moro, and was the first Animal Crossing title to have a female producer, the second title being Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival, also produced by Kyogoku. It was also the first time that Katsuya Eguchi, series creator, producer of Animal Crossing: Wild World, City Folk, and New Leaf, and director of all previous Animal Crossing titles, did not play a lead role in development. Co-producer Hisashi Nogami, who served as director for nearly every Animal Crossing title at the time, made his return to the series after his absence during Animal Crossing: New Leaf's development period[nb 3]

In an interview with USgamer, Happy Home Designer producer Aya Kyogoku stated that Nintendo's amiibo line played a primary role in the title's development, going so far as to say that the title was created for the sole purpose of generating a set of Animal Crossing amiibo in the process: "Honestly, we just wanted Animal Crossing amiibo. We wanted the company to make Animal Crossing amiibo, so that's why we made a game that works with them."[6]

According to Kyogoku, the inspiration for the interior design gameplay element came from the development team's experience designing villager homes in previous games, imagining how these villagers live out their lives, and thinking about how it would be fun to share that experience with the player.[7] The team also focused on allowing the player to bring their unique vision into each design, and while a budget limit had been taken into consideration at some point in the development cycle, it was decided that it would be best not to impose any external limitations on the player's design choices. [7]

Announcement

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer was announced alongside Animal Crossing amiibo cards in a Nintendo Direct on April 1, 2015, in which gameplay was shown off and a release window of fall 2015 was revealed.[8]

Release

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer was released in Japan on July 30, 2015, and it was released internationally two months later, on September 25 in North America, on October 2 in Europe, and on October 3 in Australia. More gameplay was shown at Nintendo's Digital Event at E3 2015, along with the final North American release date of September 25, 2015.[2]

Bundles, special edition console, and faceplates

Nintendo of Japan announced in a May 31, 2015 Nintendo Direct that Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer would be launching in several formats.[9][dead link] Game bundles included a special edition New Nintendo 3DS XL with a pre-installed copy of Happy Home Designer on a 4 GB micro SDHC card at an MSRP of ¥22,000, and a physical Happy Home Designer bundle with NFC Reader accessory included at an MSRP of ¥5,000. Both bundles launched alongside the standalone physical release of Happy Home Designer and special edition New Nintendo 3DS cover plates in Japan on July 30, 2015.[10]

Nintendo of Europe announced their regional bundles on June 27, 2015.[11] In addition to the special edition New Nintendo 3DS XL and NFC bundle released in Japan, Europe also received a white New Nintendo 3DS bundle with Happy Home Designer cover plates. Pre-orders for the various bundles went live on August 13, 2015.[12] Those who ordered from Nintendo Store UK also received a Happy Home Designer Nintendo 3DS Kit which included a universal system case, three styluses, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Additional "packs" were also available that included Cover Plate 05, Cover Plate 06, the Animal Crossing amiibo cards Collectors Album, or the European-exclusive Cover Plate 27 in addition to one of the console bundles.

In North America two Happy Home Designer bundles were released: one that included a New Nintendo 3DS with Cover Plates themed after Isabelle, and one that included the Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer.[13]

Promotion

Nintendo partnered with Japanese 7-Eleven stores and Capcom to release exclusive villagers and themed furniture for Happy Home Designer.[14] On August 18, 2015, a goodbye message from Isabelle was posted to the official Animal Crossing Twitter account stating that Lottie would be taking over the account for the time being.

In North America GameStop held a promotion where those who pre-ordered the game would receive an exclusive poster.[15]

Reception

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Nintendo Life and IGN were mostly positive, praising the game's designer tools and sandbox nature, but criticizing it for a lack of challenge or a sense of progression.[16][17] GameSpot was more critical of the game, criticizing the lack of content present in main series Animal Crossing games, while also sharing the criticisms of its challenge.[18] On Metacritic, the game received an aggregated score of 66 out of 100, from 60 critic reviews.[19]

Scores

  • Metacritic (aggregate) – 66/100
  • IGN – 8/10
  • GameSpot – 5/10
  • GameRadar+ – 4/5[20]
  • Nintendo Life – 7/10

Sales

According to a weekly sales report by Media Create, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer sold 523,000 units in Japan during its first four days of release, selling through 76.29% of its initial shipment. [21] In comparison, Animal Crossing: New Leaf sold over 600,000 units during its launch window with a sell-through rate of 96.09%.[21] Happy Home Designer topped the weekly charts again in its second and third week of sale, moving an additional 181,377[22] and 140,235[23] units respectively before dropping to second place in its fourth and fifth week with sales of 65,904[24] and 48,978[25] units respectively. As of the week ending August 30, 2015 the game had a lifetime total of 959,049 copies sold in Japan. As part of their earnings release statement, Nintendo reported sales of 3.04 million units for Happy Home Designer during the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2016.[26]

Gallery

Menu Camera NH Icon.png

Names in other languages

Japanese どうぶつの森 ハッピーホームデザイナー
Dōbutsu no Mori Happī Hōmu Dezainā 		Animal Forest: Happy Home Designer

Notes

  1. ↑ As of January 2021, the game's North American product page erroneously lists its release date as September 24, 2015.[3]
  2. ↑ Approximately 484 MB
  3. ↑ During New Leaf's development, Nogami was working as the producer for Splatoon.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nintendo. "どうぶつの森　ハッピーホームデザイナー". nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nintendo (September 14, 2015). "Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2015". YouTube. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Nintendo of America. "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo Game Details". nintendo.com. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Nintendo of Europe. "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer". nintendo.co.uk. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Nintendo of Australia. "Animal Crossing - Happy Home Designer". nintendo.com.au. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  6. ↑ Jeremy Parish (July 9, 2015). ""Honestly, we just wanted Animal Crossing Amiibo": Nintendo's Aya Kyogoku on Evolving The Series". USgamer.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mitch Vogel (June 25, 2015). "Animal Crossing Director Talks More About Happy Home Designer and amiibo". Nintendo Life.
  8. ↑ Nintendo (April 1, 2015). "Nintendo Direct 4.1.2015". YouTube.
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUxgnYVD_-Q
  10. ↑ Kevin McMinn (May 31, 2015). "Animal Crossing New 3DS XL Announced for Japan". Nintendo News. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017.
  11. ↑ Nintendo of Europe (July 27, 2015). "Happy days on Nintendo 3DS with Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer". nintendo.co.uk.
  12. ↑ Alex Seedhouse (August 13, 2015). "Animal Crossing amiibo Card pre-orders open on Nintendo Official UK Store". Nintendo Insider. Archived from the original on June 13, 2016.
  13. ↑ Nintendo of America. "Buy Now - Animal Crossing™: Happy Home Designer for Nintendo 3DS". animal-crossing.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  14. ↑ Nintendo. "どうぶつの森　ハッピーホームデザイナー オリジナルキャラクター＆アイテム配信決定！". nintendo.co.jp. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
  15. ↑ Justin (2015). "Exclusive Art Poster with Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer pre-order at GameStop". Animal Crossing World. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  16. ↑ Damien McFerran (September 22, 2015). "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review". Nintendo Life. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  17. ↑ Kallie Plagge (September 22, 2015). "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review". IGN. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  18. ↑ Justin Haywald (October 16, 2015). "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review". GameSpot. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  20. ↑ Daniella Lucas (September 22, 2015). "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Review". Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Alex Irish (August 9, 2015). "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Dominates Japanese Sales Charts". Archived from the original on August 15, 2015.
  22. ↑ Alex Seedhouse (August 12, 2015). "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer success continues in Japan". Nintendo Insider. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015.
  23. ↑ Alex Seedhouse (August 20, 2015). "Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer unchallenged in Japanese sales chart". Nintendo Insider. Archived from the original on June 21, 2016.
  24. ↑ MCV Staff (August 26, 2015). "Super Robots overthrow animals as Animal Crossing slips to second place in the Japanese charts". MCV/DEVELOP.
  25. ↑ Sal Romano (September 2, 2015). "Media Create Sales: 8/24/15 – 8/30/15". Gematsu.
  26. ↑ Nintendo (April 27, 2016). "Consolidated Results for the Years Ended March 31, 2015 and 2016".

External links

Animal Crossing series
Video games Animal Crossing
Spin-off games
Applications
Other media
Related media
First generation • Merchandise • External websites • Category
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