Animal Crossing: New Leaf

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English logo
North American box art
Main theme
Developer(s) Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Platform(s) Nintendo 3DS
Release date(s) Japan November 8, 2012[1]
South Korea February 7, 2013[2]
United States of America June 9, 2013[3]
Europe June 14, 2013
Australia June 15, 2013
Genre(s) Simulation
Modes Single-player
Multiplayer (1-4 player local wireless/online)
Ratings CERO:  A
ESRB: [[File:ESRB E[4].svg|16px|E[4]|link=|alt=]] E[4]
PEGI: [[File:PEGI 3[5].svg|16px|3[5]|link=|alt=]] 3[5]
Media Nintendo 3DS Game Card
Nintendo eShop digital download
File size 6,002 Blocks (digital download only)

Guide at StrategyWiki

Animal Crossing: New Leaf[nb 1] is a simulation game for the Nintendo 3DS released in 2012. It is the fourth main installment in the Animal Crossing series released outside of Japan.

An open-ended game, New Leaf follows a player-controlled human living in a town populated with animals and performing various tasks, such as interacting with characters and collecting items. Like all games in the Animal Crossing series, the game is synced to the system clock, which affects the gameplay based on the current time and day. New to New Leaf is the player taking on the role of mayor of the town, having more control over it than in previous games.

In November 2016, an update titled Welcome amiibo was released. The update includes new villagers, new items, and amiibo support.

Development and unveiling

See also: List of Animal Crossing: New Leaf staff

Animal Crossing: New Leaf was unveiled at E3 2010 with a gameplay trailer. Shortly after, there was news that the player could be the mayor of the town,[6] with the goal being to make the town a better place to live.[7] A non-playable demo was also available on the show floor at Nintendo's booth as an example of the 3DS's 3D effects.

At E3 2011, a gameplay trailer was shown that showed off some of the game's new features.[citation needed]

The game's final English title was announced on April 21, 2012.[citation needed] Later in 2012, on October 5, a Japanese Nintendo Direct showcased more of the game's new features.

In early 2013, to promote the new game, Nintendo of America launched an official Animal Crossing: New Leaf website,[citation needed] containing information and trailers regarding the game.

Gameplay

Like all Animal Crossing games, New Leaf is an open-ended game where the player takes the role of a human moving into a town of animals. Tasks the player can partake in include socializing with villagers, collecting items, catching fish or bugs, and paying off their home loan. The game takes place in real-time, meaning the in-game time of day and year matches that of the Nintendo 3DS. The time of day and year affects aspects of gameplay such as whether or not shops are open or villagers are awake, seasonal events, and the availability of certain fish, bugs, and items. Up to four players can live in a town, with each having their own house.

Plot

Isabelle welcoming the mayor after they first arrive in the town

The player moves to town by train and is greeted by Rover, whose questions determine the player's appearance. When the first player arrives in town, they are greeted by Isabelle and three villagers, who believe them to be the new mayor of the town; all subsequent players are greeted as standard residents. Isabelle, the mayor's secretary, takes the player to town hall, where she gives the player a Town Pass Card and tells them to go to Tom Nook at Nook's Homes to buy a house. After the player chooses a location for their house, Isabelle tells the player they need to increase their approval rating as mayor, which is done by performing various tasks. When the player's approval rating reaches 100%, the ability to build public works projects and enact a ordinance is unlocked.

New features

Mayor

As mayor, the player can build public works projects, which are structures such as bridges, benches, and lights, that can be placed around town. The mayor can also enact a ordinance, which changes an aspect of the town, such as the opening hours of stores or the price of items. Only the first player to move to the town is mayor; all subsequent players are standard residents and cannot perform the duties of mayor.

Locations

New locations in New Leaf include Main Street, Timmy and Tommy's store, Nook's Homes, Kicks, Club LOL, the Garden Shop, Photo Booth, Dream Suite, Happy Home Showcase, Tortimer Island, and Re-Tail. Several locations from previous games, such as the museum and the Able Sisters, return as well.

  • Main Street is a hub located north of the town that contains various shops and buildings.
  • Town Hall is the building where Isabelle resides. The player can speak to her to access various options, such as the ability to change the town tune or flag. Additionally, the mayor can sit at the desk in the back to access options for public works projects and ordinances.
  • The plaza is where events are held. During an event, a visitor or Isabelle appears in the plaza.
  • The Roost is a café operated by Brewster that the player can build as a public works project. The player can now work part-time at The Roost.
  • Re-Tail is a recycling shop operated by Reese and Cyrus where the player can sell or customize items.
  • The campsite is a public works project that holds a tent or igloo containing a non-resident villager. The villager can play games with the player, and they can be invited to move to the town.
  • The Reset Surveillance Center is a public works project that allows Mr. Resetti to appear when the player turns off the game without saving. Additionally, the player can enter the center at night after some rainy days.
  • The Police Station is a public works project building operated by either Booker or Copper that holds the lost and found.
  • Tortimer Island is a tropical island that the player can sail to via Kapp'n's motorboat, which appears at a dock on the southern beach of the town. On the island, which always has the climate of summer, the player can catch fish, bugs, and sea creatures, and harvest tropical fruit. Additionally, the player can go on minigame-like tours where they can win Medals, the currency of the island.

Characters

Animal Crossing: New Leaf introduces twelve new special characters, including Cyrus, Digby, Grams, Isabelle, Leif, Leila, Leilani, Luna, Reese, Snowman, Snowmam, and Snowtyke.

There are a total of 333 villagers in New Leaf, which is 123 more than Animal Crossing: City Folk. 100 new villagers have been added, 24 have returned after being absent from Wild World and City Folk, and one—Champ—has been removed. Additionally, two new personality types—big sister and smug—and two new villager species—hamster and deer—have been added.

New Villagers
Returning

24 villagers return from Doubutsu no Mori, Animal Crossing, and the Japan-exclusive Doubutsu no Mori e+. Seven villagers (marked DnMe+ Logo Cutout.png below) initially only appeared in the latter game and receive localized names for the first time. Seven of the returning villagers have their personalities changed.

Events

Many events return from Animal Crossing: City Folk, while several minor ones are added.

Items

New Leaf introduces several new items, such as sea creatures that can be donated to the museum, statues that can be donated to the museum as art, wall-mounted furniture, bottoms, socks, and shoes. Additionally, the appearance of furniture can now be customized at Re-Tail.

Miscellaneous

New Leaf introduces many other new features for the Animal Crossing series, some of the most notable being:

  • Each personality now has its own pitch of Animalese; in previous games, the variants were limited to male, female, and cranky male.
  • The player can now pick the town layout while on the train when the game starts, rather than being assigned a random map.
  • House exteriors can now be customized to reflect various styles.
  • Flowers now drip with water once a watering can has been used on them, allowing the player to know whether they've watered it or not. After this, the flowers that have been watered start to shine.
  • The player can communicate with another player even if they are in a different town.
  • Villagers are now more active in the town environment, being capable of fishing, shaking trees, entering buildings, and more.
  • The player can now choose where they want their house.

Release

Animal Crossing: New Leaf was released on November 8, 2012 in Japan[1] and on February 7, 2013 in South Korea.[2] It was released internationally in June 2013, releasing in North America on June 9,[3] in Europe on June 14, and in Australia on June 15.

Bundles and special edition console

An Animal Crossing-themed Nintendo 3DS XL that contained the game pre-installed was released in North America, Europe, and Japan in 2013.[citation needed]

Promotion

GAME, a UK-based video game retailer, offered a pre-order bonus that contained a free Isabelle and Town Hall figurine.[citation needed]

Update history

Current Version:
Ver. 1.5 (Released December 8, 2016 in United States of America and Europe)

Animal Crossing: New Leaf was the first game in the Animal Crossing series to receive updates via the Nintendo eShop. These updates, however, were primarily focused on fixing bugs in the game, with the exception of Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo, which added new features and items to the game.

Version Changelog
1.5[8]
Japan November 23, 2016
South Korea December 1, 2016[9]
United States of America/Europe December 8, 2016[10]
Official changelog:
  • Fixed a bug that results in error code [004-6006] to be displayed when receiving a present from Town Hall or from the Campground.
  • Additional issues were adjusted to make the game more comfortable to play.
1.4[8]
Japan/United States of America/Europe November 2, 2016
NLWa Home Menu Icon.png Welcome amiibo Update
1.1[8]
Japan/South Korea March 3, 2013[8]
United States of America/Europe June 2013
Isabelle NL Icon.png Initial release for North America and Europe.
Official changelog:
  • Fixed an issue that could cause an error to occur when launching a game
  • Fixed an issue that could result in a error when entering a police station.
  • Additional issues were adjusted to make the game more comfortable to play.
1.0
Japan November 8, 2012
South Korea February 7, 2013
Isabelle NL Icon.png Initial release for Japan and South Korea

Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo

Main article: Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo

In July 2016, an update for New Leaf including amiibo support was announced.[11] On November 2, the update was fully revealed as the Welcome amiibo update in a 16-minute Animal Crossing Direct, and it released the same day.[12]

The Welcome amiibo update several new features. One feature is the Campground, where the player can purchase items from Harvey with MEOW Coupons, a new secondary currency, and visit the RVs of villagers and special characters. Additionally, Wisp returns, now allowing the player to scan amiibo card or figures; the player can choose to either bring the respective character to the Campground in their RV if they are compatible, or if they are a villager, have them move into town. The update increases the villager count from 339 to 399, with 14 new villagers and 46 returning after being absent from Wild World, City Folk, and the base version of New Leaf.

Reception

Publication Rating
Famitsu 39/40[13]
GameSpot 8/10[14]
IGN 9.6/10[15]
Metacritic[nb 2] 88%[16]

New Leaf received generally positive reviews and ratings upon release. Its visuals were a key point for praise, with the 3D features well-commended. The more in-depth gameplay and details offered from previous Animal Crossing games were also viewed positively, along with the presence of enough new content to keep the game exciting.

Sales

In Japan, the game sold over 600,000 copies in its first week,[17] and went on to become the top-selling Nintendo 3DS game in the country at over 2 million units. Worldwide, New Leaf has sold 12.97 million units as of September 30, 2021.[18]

Gallery

Music

Animal Crossing: New Leaf audio tracks

Title Game Track Notes
Animal Crossing: New Leaf Title (E3 2011 Presentation) Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Animal Crossing: New Leaf Title (Tokyo Game Show 2011 Presentation) Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Trivia

  • In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, one of Donkey Kong's idle animations is pulling out a blue 3DS XL. Sound effects from Animal Crossing: New Leaf, one of the four games, are heard.

Names in other languages

Japanese とびだせ どうぶつの森
Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori
Animal Forest: Jump Out

Korean 튀어나와요 동물의 숲
Twieonawayo Dongmul-ui Sup
Animal Forest: Jump Out

German Animal Crossing: New Leaf -

European Spanish Animal Crossing: New Leaf -

European French Animal Crossing: New Leaf -

Italian Animal Crossing: New Leaf -

Notes

  1. Japanese: とびだせどうぶつの森 Hepburn: Tobidase Dōbutsu no MoriAnimal Forest: Jump Out
  2. at an average of 70 reviews

References

External links

Animal Crossing: New Leaf on other wikis