Animal Crossing

 (どうぶつの森+, Dōbutsu no Mori+, lit. Animal Forest+), sometimes subtitled Population Growing, is an updated version of for the Nintendo 64, released for the Nintendo GameCube in Japan on December 14, 2001, just nine months after the original title, and localized for western regions in 2002. This version contains extra features that had to be left out of the Nintendo 64 version, and also utilizes the GameCube's built-in clock to keep track of the date and time while dropping the Nintendo 64's original system that utilized an internal clock built into the game cartridge. With the use of the GameCube's clock, time passes in the game even when the game is not being played. This led to the game's slogan, "It's playing, even when you're not".

During the game's localization process overseas as Animal Crossing, there were many changes that not only involved immense translation from Japanese to English, but also replacements of many cultural references as well as brand new content, including new holidays, new items and new or altered events to appeal more to western audiances. Due to its popularity, became a Player's Choice title about a year after its North American release. The game was so commercially successful that it was ported back into Japanese with a few additional features and released as. was also well-received by critics, and was included in many year-end 'best of' lists upon its release. It has also been featured in several all-time top video game countdowns, and has received multiple awards and nominations.

Features
Animal Crossing introduced numerous additions not present in the original Doubutsu no Mori, including new items, new mechanics, and other things.

Characters and Locations
Animal Crossing adds numerous characters and villagers into the game. For instance, the player can now travel to an island by speaking with Kapp'n at the beach, though only if a Game Boy Advance is connected to the system. Additionally, the Museum is added, allowing players to gather all of the bugs, fish, fossils, and paintings they collect to be on display for the public. The Able Sisters is also included, which allows the player to create their own custom designs.

e-Reader connectivity
is the only title for the Nintendo GameCube released outside of Japan to feature support for the Nintendo e-Reader peripheral. By connecting to the e-Reader via a Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable players can access the island, play NES games, and scan Animal Crossing-e cards to access special items, patterns, and mini-games.

North American localization
introduced the concept of region-exclusive holidays and special events that would later become a series staple.

The Japanese release (Doubutsu no Mori +) features many culturally specific items and events that cater to a Japanese audience which Nintendo altered or removed in order to make the gameplay more appealing to Western players. Some examples include the transformation of the [[Media:0BellShrine.PNG|Bell Shrine]] into the Wishing Well and the removal of the spa items, which are typical of Japanese onsen. In an effort to preserve the game's unique real-world character, events were introduced that would be familiar to North American players, such as Groundhog's Day and Thanksgiving.

The NOA localization team began writing game dialog in early 2002, however translation of the game's hundreds of items began months earlier. Unlike the extended localization and development process for recent titles in the series, Animal Crossing was localized in the short span of eight to twelve months. During this time, the team translated 30,000+ files of text, worked to develop new items (such as the camping gear) and added support for the Nintendo e-Reader, which was launched just two days after the game's release in North America.

Announcement and release date
On May 16, 2001 at Nintendo's pre-E3 press conference, a six second montage of footage from "Animal Forest" was shown to members of the media as part of a larger reel featuring upcoming Nintendo Gamecube titles. The clip did not feature any dialog, however the presence of the Bell Shrine indicates that it was still early in the localization process, if not footage straight from. This was the first time the game was shown in North America, and the first evidence of its English localization.

As early as October of 2001, Nintendo established a page on their website for Animal Forest noting it was "being optimized for its U.S. debut on the GameCube." A few months later on February 28, 2002 at a Nintendo Roundtable Conference, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that localization of Animal Forest was "progressing and moving along quite well" with Satoru Iwata projecting it to be released "sometime in the fall." About a month later on March 30, 2002 the game's name was officially changed to Animal Crossing, as reflected on Nintendo's website at the time.

On May 22, 2002 at Nintendo's pre-E3 press conference, an extended video was shown introducing Animal Crossing and highlighting its ability to connect with the e-Reader and Game Boy Advance. Iwata also confirmed the game for September release in North America. Later that day, Animal Crossing made its second E3 appearance, this time as a playable title on the show floor. It was generally overshadowed by high-profile titles, however it still snagged a third place spot on the Game Critic Award's list for Best Original Game of E3 2002. Despite conflicting information on modern gaming websites, Animal Crossing's North American release date was set for September 16, 2002 as noted on its official sites  and a press release from Nintendo of America. There were reports, however, that select Blockbuster Video locations had received and began renting advance copies of the game as early as September 6th.

Website and promotion
In early September 2002 the official North American Animal Crossing website, the Crossing Guardian, went live. It mimicked a real-life newspaper and featured articles on different aspects of the game, sometimes written from the perspective of in-game characters. The site was also used to distribute secret codes for exclusive NES games as well as items from the Mario Theme.

Animal Crossing Pioneers
On August 7, 2002 Nintendo of America announced a contest whereby 125 teams of two would be selected to receive advance promotional copies of Animal Crossing. The submission deadline for the contest was August 12th. To be considered for selection, applicants had to submit a written response of 50 words or less explaining why they should chosen as Pioneers. Those selected received a special Animal Crossing disc marked "for promotional use only", along with a 59 block Memory Card and a promotional Animal Crossing calendar. Pioneers received the game a month early and were expected to help Nintendo generate online buzz in advance of the title's release. Pioneers were also given exclusive access to their own web forum where they could discuss amongst themselves as well as provide feedback to Nintendo representatives. At the end of the experience, the Pioneers were invited to an online chat with a few of the members of the game's localization team. An analysis of the standard and promotional game disc concluded that the two were byte identical, meaning that no changes were made to the final version as a result of Pioneer feedback. The promotional copy and calendar have since become collector's items, selling for over $500 together on eBay as of March, 2014.

Sweepstakes
On August 30, 2002 Nintendo of America initiated the "Deck Out Your Room" Sweepstakes. One grand prize winner received a TV, headphones, and CD player from Panasonic, a Nintendo GameCube, a Game Boy Advance, five GameCube games, five Game Boy Advance Games, two WaveBird controllers, and a one year subscription to Nintendo Power. Five first prize winners received a Nintendo GameCube, a copy of Animal Crossing, and a one year subscription to Nintendo Power. The sweepstakes ended on October 15, 2002. Those who registered for the sweepstakes received an Animal Crossing screensaver.

Commercials and trailer
Nintendo of America began its advertising campaign in early September, 2002 with the release of four live-action commercials featuring players living in an world. These commercials along with a trailer for the game appeared on a Preview DVD for the Nintendo GameCube that was distributed by retailers (both in North America and internationally ) in late 2002 and may have also been an insert in Nintendo Power magazine. Video trailers for the game were also included on Interactive Multi-Game Demo Disc Versions 5 and 7, released in July and September of 2002, respectively. These game discs were sent to retailers for use in Nintendo GameCube demo kiosks.

Pricing and sales
Animal Crossing shipped with a $49.95 MSRP in North America. In a press release from Nintendo of America dated October 28, 2002 the game was reported to have sold over 100,000 copies in its first four weeks of sale, ranking eighth in video game sales for the month of September. Animal Crossing would fall off the charts the next month and would not reappear near the top of an industry-wide cumulative sales chart (monthly or otherwise) for the remainder of its life cycle, however it would remain a popular title in terms of GameCube software sales. In December of 2002, it sold over 130,000 copies, not far behind Super Mario Sunshine, which was released a few weeks before. By October of 2004 had sold upwards of 760,000 copies, making it the 11th best selling title on the system at the time. On September 25th, 2003 just over a year after its initial release, Animal Crossing became a Player's Choice title, with a new MSRP of $29.99. All-time sales figures place Animal Crossing as the sixth best-selling GameCube game with somewhere between 1.68 and 1.92 million units sold, just ahead of the critically acclaimed Metroid Prime. Comparing it to the Pikmin series, another new Nintendo IP debuting on the GameCube, Animal Crossing sold more than both Pikmin titles combined—a considerable feat considering the original Pikmin had been available since the console's launch.

Regional Differences
In addition to being an upgraded re-release to the original Dōbutsu no Mori, there are also many differences between Dōbutsu no Mori+ and Animal Crossing.

General Changes

 * Doubutsu no Mori+ almost has the same game code as Animal Crossing. Doubutsu no Mori+ is GAFJ, Animal Crossing is GAFE in the US version, GAFP in the PAL version.
 * The dial typing system, featured in the original, is retained in Doubutsu no Mori+.
 * The player is able to transfer data from into the Japanese version. This is removed in Animal Crossing due to the fact that Doubutsu no Mori was not released outside of Japan.

Event Changes

 * Numerous Japanese holidays have been removed in Animal Crossing, replacing them with American holidays to better appeal to western gamers.

Item Changes

 * Doubutsu no Mori+ features the Famicom games Gomoku Narabe and Majong, while Animal Crossing and Doubutsu no Mori e+ feature the NES games Soccer and Exitebike. In addition, Doubutsu no Mori+ features the Famicom Disk System version of Legend of Zelda. Animal Crossing and Doubutsu no Mori e+ feature the English NES version. And you can obtain the Forbidden Four NES games normally in the game. In Animal Crossing you need a cheating device.
 * Several Japan-esque items are removed in Animal Crossing.

Area Changes

 * Doubutsu no Mori+ features a Bell shrine in place of the Wishing Well. On New Year's Day, the player can shake the pole in the middle of the bell rind.

Design Changes

 * In Doubutsu no Mori+ Tortimer wears glasses with white blue lenses and a red hat, and in Animal Crossing and Doubutsu no Mori e+ Tortimer wears glasses with clear lenses and a black hat.
 * Mr. Resetti and Don Resetti wear different clothes in, the clothes were white. These clothes were also in the original Doubutsu no Mori but in Animal Crossing and Doubutsu no Mori e+, he has a white T-shirt and a blue overall.
 * Jane the gorilla has a different appearance in Doubutsu no Mori+, as her appearance has white fur. This appearance was also in the original Doubutsu no Mori, and in Animal Crossing, she has purple fur.
 * The Nintendo logo color changes. In Animal Crossing it was red, in Doubutsu no Mori+ it was white, and Doubutsu no Mori has the Nintendo 64 logo.

Reception
Animal Crossing was met with mostly positive reviews from critics, with many praising its charming, unique gameplay and long life span. e-Reader connectivity was seen as a welcome addition, however some criticized its outdated graphics and felt that it did not offer much of a single-player experience. was included in many year-end 'best of' lists upon its release in 2002. It has also been featured in several all-time top video game countdowns, and has received multiple awards and nominations. Review aggregator Metacritic notes a Metascore of 87/100 for Animal Crossing, which places it just behind 's score of 88.