Distributed item

Distributed content, also known as downloadable content (DLC), in the refers to items and other content distributed by Nintendo, usually over the internet. Distributed items have appeared in some form in every Animal Crossing game since.

In
Although has no internet functionality, some items were distributed in the form of secret codes. Codes for items in the Mario Theme as well as the Mario Trophy and Luigi Trophy were published in issues of Nintendo Power from 2003 to 2004, and some were featured on the game's official website.

In

 * Item list: Distributed items/Wild World

marks the first time items were directly distributed to the game, via both local wireless and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Local wireless
In, six items from the Mario Theme as well as all six monkey villagers were distributed wirelessly via a promotional Game Card (known as the "Relay Version") used by select American retailers in December 2005. The Game Card distributes a single item and a single monkey villager to the player's game; a Note in a Bottle from Katrina appears on the beach with the item, and the villager instantly moves in. If there are eight villagers in the player's town, the villager is added to a queue and will move in when another one moves out. Since the Relay Version Game Cards still exist and work on a standard Nintendo DS, it is theoretically possible to legitimately obtain the items and villagers.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
In addition to the Relay Version Game Card, several items were distributed over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection between 2005 and 2007, though unlike the Game Card, the items are standard ones that can be obtained elsewhere. The items arrived in a letter that would be appear in the player's mailbox if they enabled downloads via the attic settings and played during the distribution period. Bulletin board messages were also sent via Nintendo WFC.

A letter and bulletin board message were reportedly sent via Nintendo WFC in late November 2005, prior to the game's North American release, and received by winners of an IGN contest who received the game early. The letter contained a Crown and read:


 * "Dear, Thanks for your testing Letter downloading test 2005/10/22-0:17 Version:8(appended key) From Animal Crossing Stuff"

The bulletin board message read:


 * "Written by Stuff Thanks for your testing Bulletin board message downloading test 2005/10/22-0:21 Version:8(appended key)"

Given the timing and content of these messages, it is likely that they were for testing purposes and were not meant to be seen by players.

Additionally, for a few hours on January 26, 2006, a blank letter was sent via Nintendo WFC that contained a corrupted item called Red Tulips. If placed in the player's house, the item appears invisible and cannot be picked up or moved. Shortly afterward, Nintendo released a statement saying the letter was accidentally sent as a result of an internal error with the communication tool used to send out the letters, and they urged players who received the item to dispose of it in the recycle bin.

In

 * Item list: Distributed items/City Folk

In, items were distributed using the WiiConnect24 feature of the Wii. This feature must have been enabled on both the Wii and the game in order to receive the items.

Distributed items were scheduled to be released during a 7-day period, where the item is received within the allotted time. Pete, the mail carrier, gives the player an item attached as a present on a letter. He would mention that the letters are from Nintendo, but some may be signed by special characters or characters from other Nintendo sometimes. Additionally, Wendell would occasionally give the player one of his designs to commemorate a special occasion.

Distribution of items ended on June 28, 2013 along with the dicontinuation of WiiConnect24.

In

 * Item list: Distributed items/New Leaf

In, items could be received from Nintendo Zone locations or over Wi-Fi. The items are obtainable in-game in the Post Office, or very rarely, in the mail. At the Post Office, the player can talk to Pelly or Phyllis to ask if a gift is available, and they will then be asked whether to check via Wi-Fi or Nintendo Zones. Some DLC items can be re-ordered from the catalog, while other items cannot.

DLC over Wi-Fi was discontinued after June 20, 2015, and Nintendo Zone downloadable content was discontinued as well after the discontinuation of the Nintendo Zone service.

In

 * ''Item list: Distributed items/Happy Home Designer

In

 * ''Item list: Distributed items/New Horizons

In, items are primarily distributed through letters or the Nintendo eShop. Items that are downloaded through the Nintendo eShop have to be purchased through the Nook Stop for either Nook Miles or Bells.