Editing Animal Crossing (series)

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Animal Crossing'' (series)}}
{{Wrongpage|the series|the game of the same name|Animal Crossing}}
[[File:Animal Crossing Series Logo English.png|thumb|right|International logo for the {{SER|nolink}}]]
'''''Animal Crossing'''''{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森|Dōbutsu no Mori|Animal Forest}}}} is a series of social simulation video games developed by [[Nintendo]] and created by [[Katsuya Eguchi]] and [[Hisashi Nogami]]. The series revolves around a human [[player]] character living in a town inhabited by animals and performing tasks such as [[fishing]], catching [[bug]]s, socializing with the [[villager]]s, or collecting items. ''Animal Crossing'' is open-ended and uses the system's internal clock to simulate taking place in real-time, with the gameplay changing based on the time of day and year, and special events happening on certain days in the year.
==Creation==
The ''Animal Crossing'' series was made by [[Katsuya Eguchi]] and [[Hisashi Nogami]]. Eguchi got the idea for ''Animal Crossing'' when he moved to Kyoto to work at Nintendo. Speaking to Edge Magazine in 2008 he said: ''"Animal Crossing features three themes: family, friendship and community. But the reason I wanted to investigate them was a result of being so lonely when I arrived in Kyoto! Chiba is east of Tokyo and quite a distance from Kyoto, and when I moved there I left my family and friends behind. In doing so, I realised that being close to them – being able to spend time with them, talk to them, play with them – was such a great, important thing. I wondered for a long time if there would be a way to recreate that feeling, and that was the impetus behind the original Animal Crossing.''" <ref>{{cite web|author=James Newton|date=December 14, 2011|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/12/feature_celebrating_10_years_of_animal_crossing|title=Celebrating 10 Years of Animal Crossing|site=Nintendo Life|retrieved=October 24, 2023}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
===Objectives===
As an {{wp|Nonlinear gameplay|open-ended}} {{wp|life simulation game|life simulation game}}, the {{SER|nolink}} does not have a set objective. As such, after an introductory sequence at the beginning of the games, [[player]]s are free to do as they like. The only 'objective' in the game, if any, is to pay off the [[mortgage]] placed upon the player's [[Player house|house]]—but, like most activities within the game, this is entirely optional and does not incur any consequences, other than having less space to store items.

===Villagers===
{{main|Villager}}
In every [[town]] in the {{SER|nolink}}, the village itself is populated entirely by [[:Category:Species|animals]] (excluding the [[player]], who is the only human shown in the entire series). Villagers are {{wp|Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic}}, and as such, can speak, walk in a humanoid manner, use [[tool]]s, and wear clothes. They serve as interactive characters who are assigned [[Villager#Personalities|personalities]] and traits, and this affects the way they communicate with you and among themselves. Villagers are capable of [[conversation]], have unique interests and [[catchphrase]]s, and live in their own [[Villager houses|domains]] within the town.

Villagers will often ask the player to perform tasks for them (ranging from delivering [[presents]] to sending messages to another human player). Players can incur a reward if tasks are executed in the set time. In later games, they are also capable of playing games with the player, such as [[hide-and-seek]].  Villagers [[Moving|move]] in and out of the town regularly due to certain factors (e.g. because the player has exchanged animals with another village over {{wp| Wi-Fi|Wi-Fi}}), or simply because they are not satisfied with their current life). It is said that they enjoy receiving [[letters]], and if sent a gift, they will usually send one in return.

===Customization===
Although earlier games offer few options in terms of customization, more recent games like {{NH|nolink}} feature the ability to not only customize the appearance of the player, but also more [[designing]] options in term of interior and exterior. Interior designing aspects include [[wallpaper]]s, [[flooring]], [[rugs]], lighting, [[soundscapes]], and [[furniture]] in the player's [[Player house|home]], as well as the home's [[house customization|exterior]] changes. Exterior designing aspects include the placement of either furniture, [[public works project]]s, [[bridges]], or [[incline]] depending on the game, as well as the changes made to the town's flora and landscaping via the [[Island Designer Construction Permit]].

===Activities===
Despite being an {{wp|Nonlinear gameplay|open-ended game}}, ''Animal Crossing'' does provide some activities to pass the time and help "complete" certain aspects of the gameplay (such as completing exhibits within the [[Museum]]). Some of these activities include [[Bug|bug-catching]], [[fishing]], [[Fossils|fossil-hunting]], and even item-collecting (the latter an objective to complete the player's [[catalog]]). Players can also interact in games of [[hide-and-seek]] with [[villagers]], participate in festivals and town [[events]], and generally do as they like within the game.

==Games==
===Mainline series===
{| class="styled color-series" style="text-align: center; width: 100%;"
|-
! style="width: 5%";  | Boxart
! style="width: 20%"; | Title
! style="width: 20%"; | Platforms and release dates
! Information
|-
! [[File:DnM Box.jpg|100px|center|link=Doubutsu no Mori]]
!  {{DnM}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森|Dōbutsu no Mori|Animal Forest}}}}
| '''[[Nintendo 64]]''' <br> {{Flag|JPN}} April 14, 2001
| The first game in the series, originally released on the [[Nintendo 64]] in Japan.
|-
! [[File:DnM+ Box.png|100px|center|link=Doubutsu no Mori+]]
! {{DnM+}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森+|Dōbutsu no Mori+|Animal Forest+}}}} 
| '''[[Nintendo GameCube]]''' <br> {{Flag|JPN}} December 14, 2001
| Released in Japan as a Nintendo GameCube port of the original game on Nintendo 64. {{DnM+|nolink}} expands upon the original {{DnM|nolink}}, including the addition of the [[museum]], [[Able Sisters]], and [[Animal Island]].
|-
! [[File:PG Box NA.png|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing]]
! {{PG}}
| '''[[Nintendo GameCube]]''' <br> {{Flag|USA}} September 16, 2002<br>{{Flag|AUS}} October 17, 2003<br>{{Flag|EUR}} September 24, 2004
| The first game to be released in the west, {{PG|nolink}} changed numerous aesthetic and gameplay elements from {{DnM+|nolink}}, as well as adding new regional events.
|-
! [[File:DnMe+ Outer Box.png|100px|center|link=Doubutsu no Mori e+]]
! {{DnMe+}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森e+|Dōbutsu no Mori e+|Animal Forest e+}}}} 
| '''[[Nintendo GameCube]]''' <br> {{Flag|JPN}} June 27, 2003
| A re-localization of {{PG|nolink}} for Japan, {{DnMe+|nolink}} featured additional changes and updates, including new [[villager]]s, critters, and enhanced [[e-Reader]] support. Released exclusively in Japan.
|-
! rowspan=2 | [[File:WW Box NA.jpg|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: Wild World]]
! rowspan=2 | {{WW}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|おいでよどうぶつの森|Oideyo Dōbutsu no Mori|Animal Forest: Come Here}}}}
| '''[[Nintendo DS]]'''<br>{{Flag|JPN}} November 23, 2005<br>{{Flag|USA}} December 5, 2005<br>{{Flag|AUS}} December 8, 2005<br>{{Flag|EUR}} March 31, 2006<br>{{Flag|KOR}} December 6, 2007
| rowspan=2 | The first game released on a handheld console and the first to be released worldwide, {{WW|short|nolink}} featured changes to villager interactions, a [[episode|story-based missions]] system, and emphasis on player customization. {{WW|short|nolink}} also trimmed out [[villagers]] and [[events]], many not returning until future games. {{WW|short|nolink}} was also the first to feature online multiplayer (via [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]]). {{WW|short|nolink}} outsold its predecessor with 11.75 million copies sold to become the best-selling ''Animal Crossing'' game until {{NL|short|nolink}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html|title=Nintendo DS Software|author=[[Nintendo]]|retrieved=March 25, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Wii U]] ([[Virtual Console]])'''<br>{{Flag|EUR}} November 19, 2015<br>{{Flag|AUS}} November 19, 2015<br>{{Flag|JPN}} July 27, 2016<br>{{Flag|USA}} October 13, 2016
|-
! [[File:DnM iQue Box.jpg|100px|center|link=Dòngwù Sēnlín]]
! {{iQue}}{{Note|{{zh|动物森林|Dòngwù Sēnlín|Animal Forest}}}}
| '''[[iQue Player]]''' <br> {{Flag|CHN}} June 1, 2006<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071028053427/http://www.ique.com/news_games.htm http://www.ique.com/news_games.htm] (archived)</ref>
| The [[iQue Player]] port of {{DnM|nolink}}, it features numerous localization changes to items and textures.
|-
! [[File:CF Box NA.jpg|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: City Folk]]
! {{CF}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|街へいこうよどうぶつの森|Machi e ikouyo: Dōbutsu no Mori|Let's Go to the City: Animal Forest}}}}
| '''[[Wii]]''' <br>{{Flag|USA}} November 16, 2008<br>{{Flag|JPN}} November 17, 2008<br>{{Flag|AUS}} December 4, 2008<br>{{Flag|EUR}} December 5, 2008<br>{{Flag|KOR}} January 28, 2010
| {{CF|short|nolink}} includes new and changed features, most notable the addition of the [[city]]. Many villagers and events cut from {{WW|short|nolink}} return, with new events including [[Festivale]] and [[Bunny Day]], as well as additional regional holidays. Some copies of the game were also bundled with [[Wii Speak]].
|-
! [[File:NL Box NA.jpg|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: New Leaf]]
! {{NL}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|とびだせどうぶつの森|Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori|Jump Out Animal Forest}}}}
| '''[[Nintendo 3DS]]''' <br>{{Flag|JPN}} November 8, 2012<br>{{Flag|KOR}} February 8, 2013<br>{{Flag|USA}} June 9, 2013<br>{{Flag|EUR}} June 14, 2013<br>{{Flag|AUS}} June 15, 2013
| {{NL|short|nolink}} brought significant changes to the {{SER|nolink}}, with the gameplay placing a huge emphasis on the player's role as [[mayor]] of their town. {{NL|short|nolink}} added two new villager personalities, [[smug]] and [[big sister]], with several villagers having their personality realigned. {{NL|short|nolink}} also featured a new shopping district known as [[Main Street]], additional special characters including [[Isabelle]], the ability to share and visit towns [[dream|by dreaming]] and [[Tortimer Island]], where players can chose to play out minigames and collect exotic goods. {{NL|short|nolink}} sold 12.82 million copies, outselling {{WW|short|nolink}} to become the highest-selling ''Animal Crossing'' game until {{NH|short|nolink}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/3ds.html|title=Top Selling Software Sales Units: Nintendo 3DS Software|author=Nintendo|retrieved=March 25, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[File:Welcome amiibo UK box art.png|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome amiibo]]
! {{NLWa}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|とびだせ どうぶつの森 amiibo+|Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori amiibo+|Jump Out Animal Forest amiibo+}}}}
| '''[[Nintendo 3DS]]''' <br>{{Flag|JPN}} November 23, 2016<br>{{Flag|AUS}} November 24, 2016<br>{{Flag|EUR}} November 25, 2016<br>{{Flag|KOR}} December 1, 2016<br>{{Flag|USA}} December 8, 2016
|An expansion update for {{NL|short|nolink}}, {{NLWa|short|nolink}} brought back [[villager]]s cut since {{DnMe+|nolink}}, introduced an area known as the [[campground]], and added [[amiibo]] functionality. The expansion also included crossover villagers with the likes of ''[[The Legend of Zelda|Zelda]]'', ''[[Splatoon]]'', [[Sanrio]], and ''[[Monster Hunter]]''. {{NLWa|short|nolink}} was released as a standalone updated version of the game.
|-
! [[File:NH Box NA.png|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: New Horizons]]
! {{NH}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|あつまれ どうぶつの森|Atsumare Dōbutsu no Mori|lit. Get Together: Animal Forest}}}}
| '''[[Nintendo Switch]]'''<br>{{Flag|WLD}} March 20, 2020
| The first main {{SER|nolink}} game to be in high-definition, {{NH|short|nolink}} features the player living on a deserted island hosted by [[Nook Inc.]], and they are given the task to promote the island and gain the attention of [[K.K. Slider]]. {{NH|short|nolink}} introduces the ability to [[DIY recipes|craft items]], allowing the player to craft furniture and tools alongside special goods such as {{I|fish bait|NH}} to catch fish. Additional features in {{NH|short|nolink}} include the ability to place [[furniture]] outside, a new [[Island Designer Construction Permit|application]] to modify cliffs, water, and paths, changes to villager interactions and personalities, a [[Ladder]] and [[Vaulting Pole]] for easier navigation, and the ability to host multiplayer sessions without relying on friend lists. {{NH|short|nolink}} gained notoriety in the midst of the {{wp|COVID-19 pandemic}}, and it has sold 43.38 million copies, eclipsing {{NL|short|nolink}} to become the best-selling ''Animal Crossing'' game.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |title=Top Selling Title Sales Units |author=[[Nintendo]] |date=September 30, 2023 |retrieved=January 3, 2024}}</ref> {{NH|short|nolink}} received many [[Animal Crossing: New Horizons/Update history|regular updates]] that added new features and modified content.

|-
! [[File:HHP Key Art NA.jpg|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise]]
! {{HHP}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|あつまれ どうぶつの森 ハッピーホームパラダイス|Atsumare Dōbutsu no Mori Happī Hōmu Paradaisu|lit. Get Together: Animal Forest Happy Home Paradise}}}}
| '''[[Nintendo Switch]]'''<br>{{Flag|WLD}} November 5, 2021
| A paid downloadable expansion for {{NH|short|nolink}}, and successor to the Nintendo 3DS spin-off game {{HHD}}. The player can travel to an archipelago resort to design vacation homes for characters, with newly introduced items and abilities able to be taken back to the player's home island. The expansion is available for individual purchase from the Nintendo eShop, or can be played as part of a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscription.

|}

===Spin-off titles===
{| class="styled color-series" style="text-align: center; width: 100%;"
|-
! style="width: 5%";  | Boxart
! style="width: 20%"; | Title
! style="width: 30%"; | Platforms and release dates
! Information
|-
! [[File:Happy Home Designer Boxart for North America.png|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer]]
! {{HHD}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森：ハッピーホームデザイナ|Dōbutsu no Mori: Happī Hōmu Dezainā}}}}
| '''[[Nintendo 3DS]]''' <br> {{Flag|JPN}} July 30, 2015<br>{{Flag|USA}} September 25, 2015<br>{{Flag|EUR}} October 2, 2015<br>{{Flag|AUS}} October 3, 2015
| Based on {{NL|short|nolink}}, this spin-off focuses on designing homes and gardens. First game in the series to use amiibo.
|-
! [[File:aF Box North America.jpg|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival]]
! {{aF}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森amiiboフェスティバル|Dōbutsu no Mori: amiibo Fesutibaru}}}}
| '''[[Wii U]]'''<br>{{Flag|USA}} November 13, 2015<br>{{Flag|EUR}} November 20, 2015<br>{{Flag|JPN}} November 21, 2015<br>{{Flag|AUS}} November 21, 2015
| A multiplayer party game that utilizes [[amiibo]].
|-
! [[File:Animal Crossing Pocket Camp logo.png|100px|center|link=Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp]]
! {{PC}}{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|どうぶつの森 ポケットキャンプ|Dōbutsu no Mori: Poketo Kyanpu}}}}
| '''iOS/Android'''<br>{{Flag|AUS}} October 25, 2017 (Beta)<br>{{Flag|JPN}} November 21, 2017<br>{{Flag|USA}} November 21, 2017<br>{{Flag|EUR}} November 21, 2017
| First game to be released on mobile devices. Receives regular [[Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp/Update history|content updates]].
|-
|}

==Other media==
Various media based on the ''Animal Crossing'' video games has been released, including soundtracks, manga series, and a feature-length film.

===Soundtracks===
{{Main|List of Animal Crossing soundtracks}}
Multiple {{SER|short|nolink}} games, along with {{Film}}, have received official soundtrack releases.

===Film===
{{Main|Gekijōban Doubutsu no Mori}}
A feature-length film based on {{WW}} was released in Japan in 2006.

===Manga===
{{Main|List of Animal Crossing manga}}
Numerous manga have been created based on the {{SER|nolink}}.

==Gallery==
===Artwork===
The following artwork is not known to have been used to promote any specific game and is instead used to promote the series as a whole.
<gallery class=longimage widths=1000>
Animal Crossing Seasons Banner Art.jpg|Banner artwork showcasing the four seasons as well as various characters.
</gallery>
<gallery widths=250>
Animal Crossing promotional header.png|Banner artwork featured on the North American {{SER|nolink}} website.
Spring Series Artwork.png|[[Spring]]
Summer Series Artwork.png|[[Summer]]
Fall Series Artwork.png|[[Fall]]
Winter Series Artwork.png|[[Winter]]
</gallery>
<gallery>
Series 20th Anniversary Twitter Artwork.jpg|20th anniversary artwork
Isabelle Vector Art.png|[[Isabelle]]
Nooklings Vector Art.png|[[Timmy and Tommy]]
Timmy & Tommy Series Artwork.png|Timmy and Tommy
Apple Tree Series Artwork.png|Apple [[tree]]
Cedar Tree Series Artwork.png|Cedar tree
Bulletin Board Series Artwork.png|[[Bulletin Board]]
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{Note list}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Other Wikis
|smashwiki = 1
|smashwiki-page = Animal Crossing (universe)
|wikipedia = 1
|wikipedia-page = Animal Crossing
}}
* [https://animalcrossing.nintendo.com/ North American series website]
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mori/index.html Japanese series website]

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{{To-do|Expand intro, add a reception section, and add a short paragraph on each game, expand gameplay sections, touch on the creation of the series, etc.}}
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{{Navbox Animal Crossing series}}
[[Category:Animal Crossing series|*]]