Difference between revisions of "Secret code"

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{{quote|I see, I see. A flying saucer has arrived for you. Here you go. Thank you much.|[[Tom Nook]]|distributing an item}}
 
{{quote|I see, I see. A flying saucer has arrived for you. Here you go. Thank you much.|[[Tom Nook]]|distributing an item}}
 
[[File:Nook's Code Icon AC.png|right]]
 
[[File:Nook's Code Icon AC.png|right]]
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'''Secret codes''', also known as '''passwords''' or simply '''codes''', are a 28-character passwords used in {{PG}} to give and receive in-game items. The codes are usually displayed as two rows of 14 characters each, that being the format that they are received from and input into the game. Valid code characters include all uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet, the numbers 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, the ampersand (&), the at sign (@), the pound (#), and the percent sign (%). The number zero and uppercase "o" are interchangeable. When generated by [[Tom Nook]], a capital "i" can be distinguished from a lowercase "L" by the serif drawn at both the top and bottom of its stem. Note also that the number "1" is never generated in a secret code. Nook will only distribute three items via password per game load. To redeem more items, the player must save and quit and then reload the game.  
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'''Secret codes''', also known as '''passwords''' or simply '''codes''', are passwords used in {{DnM+}}, {{PG}} and {{DnMe+}} to give and receive in-game items. The way codes work in each game varies.
 +
 
 +
== Formatting and input==
 +
=== In {{DnM+|nolink}} ===
 +
In {{DnM+}}, codes consist of 22 {{Wp|hiragana}} characters in two rows of 11. They must be written in letters formatted in three lines, with the first line being {{nowrap|あいことば}} (''aikotoba'', meaning "secret password"), followed by two lines of the code. The letters can be sent to any villager, and will always result in a letter from the character on the card. The received letter itself is determined by the character, usually containing a certain variable string that is determined by the code itself. These letters arrive after two days of gameplay, and only three can be in transit at a time or they will be overwritten.
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 +
=== In {{PG|nolink}} ===
 +
In {{PG}}, codes consist of 28 characters displayed as two rows of 14 characters each. I Valid code characters include all uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet, the numbers 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, the ampersand (&), the at sign (@), the pound (#), and the percent sign (%). The number <code>0</code> and capital <code>O</code> are interchangeable, as are the number <code>1</code> and capital <code>I</code>; however, <code>1</code> is never generated in a secret code. When generated by [[Tom Nook]], a capital <code>I</code> can be distinguished from a lowercase <code>l</code> by the serif drawn at both the top and bottom of its stem. Codes are always preceded by special key symbol ({{Key}}), which must be the first line in a letter but is automatically provided when speaking to Tom Nook.
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Passwords can either be input by sending them in a letter to a villager, or being told directly to [[Tom Nook]]. This may depend on the type of code, see [[#Types of codes]] below. The player will receive their item in a letter from a different character depending on the type of password two days later. While these are unlimited, Tom Nook will only distribute three items via password per game load. To redeem more items, the player must save and quit and then reload the game.
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 +
=== In {{DnMe+|nolink}} ===
 +
In {{DnMe+}}, codes consist of 32 hiragana characters again displayed as two rows of 16, and are preceded by あいことば like in {{DnM+|nolink}}. Like in {{PG|nolink}}, they can still be redeemed via mail or Tom Nook depending on the code type. Mailing a valid 22-character code from {{DnM+|nolink}} will instead result in one of three items exclusively obtained this way, the {{I|shop sign|DnMe+}}, {{I|decorative plate|DnMe+}}, or {{I|Tom Nook's autograph card|DnMe+}}.
  
 
==Types of codes==
 
==Types of codes==
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''Animal Crossing'' makes use of a variety of code types, each of which serves a different purpose and has a different origin. All code types follow the same description as outlined in the introduction and thus appear very similar to the untrained eye.  
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There are several types of secret codes the games can read. {{DnM+}}, {{PG}} and {{DnMe+}} each makes use of a variety of code types, each of which serves a different purpose and has a different origin. All code types follow the same description as outlined in the introduction and thus appear very similar to the untrained eye. They are listed below using the games' internal names and colloquial names.
 +
 
 +
===Famicom codes===
 +
{{code|Famicom}}/"NES codes": These codes were used to distribute [[NES game]]s on Nintendo's website. They are generated using input of the player's name and town name, and are sent by mail to random villagers. Official Famicom codes vary per game:
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 +
* For {{DnM+}}, Famicom codes that were available to generate on Nintendo's website could be created for {{I|Clu Clu Land|PG}}, {{I|DK Jr MATH|PG}}, {{I|Pinball|PG}}, {{I|Golf|PG}} (distributed in limited-time intervals throughout 2002) and {{I|Mahjong|DnM+}} (discontinued sometime between 2015 and 2020). Famicom codes in {{DnM+|nolink}} technically allow for any Famicom game, including the "Forbidden Four" ({{I|Mario Bros|PG}}, {{I|Ice Climber|PG}}, {{I|Super Mario Bros|PG}} and {{I|Legend of Zelda|PG}})– the only way to obtain ''The Legend of Zelda'' without external modification in any game.
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 +
* For {{PG}}, NES games for which codes could be generated on the website included {{I|Soccer|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Donkey Kong Jr|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Donkey Kong 3|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Punchout|Animal Crossing}}, and {{I|Clu Clu Land D|Animal Crossing}}. were exclusively released on the official ''Animal Crossing'' website using NES codes and can only be obtained through this manner; universal codes cannot be generated for these titles. As the game's official site is no longer online, these five games are now solely available via third-party code generators capable of creating this specialized code type. Additionally, the "Forbidden Four" are no longer valid items for which a code can be created.
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 +
* In {{DnMe+}}, the only NES games not normally obtainable in-game (excluding the "Forbidden Four", which were removed) are {{I|Donkey Kong 3|PG}} and {{I|Punchout|PG}}. The former had codes distributed for members of Panasonic hi-ho's "Doubutsu no Mori Photo Club" (どうぶつの森 写真くらぶ),<ref>{{Cite web|author=Manabu Tsuchimoto|date=October 24, 2003|url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2003/10/24/11943.html|title=松下が『どうぶつの森』公開サイトを開設|language=Japanese|retrieved=July 15, 2022}}</ref> while the latter does not seem to have been distributed.
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 +
===NPC codes===
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{{code|NPC}}/{{code|Popular}}/"Character codes": These codes were generated upon voting for a character in Nintendo's [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gafj/chara/kekka.html ''Doubutsu no Mori+'' Character Popularity Poll]. Upon voting, the player would be able to generate a code based on their player and town names, which when mailed would receive a letter and gift from the character voted for (the letter also varies depending on whether it was sent to the character voted for). Translated versions of these letters appear in {{PG|nolink}} (even for new characters [[Franklin]] and [[Farley]]), although no similar poll seems to have been held for the game. However, these letters can be seen in-game if a third-party code is generated for them.
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 +
===Card E codes===
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{{code|Card E}}/"e-Reader card codes": These codes are by far the most common type of code, due to working for any town and player. They are primarily seen written on the back of most {{DnM+|nolink}} and {{PG|nolink}} [[e-Reader card]]s; they can also be seen by getting a certain score in minigames on the [[e-Reader]]. In {{DnM+|nolink}}, each character card will also show one of two codes when scanned on the [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]]; these were replaced with messages from the character on the {{PG|nolink}} cards. Additionally, [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gafj/fami_pre/nbench.html Nintendo's online code] for the {{I|Nintendo Bench|PG}} in {{DnM+|nolink}} is this type of code. The way these codes work differs in each version:
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*In {{DnM+}}, Card E codes have a chance of no present at all (though a letter response is guaranteed), except if they are for a [[special character]], in which case it is guaranteed. Most codes on the back of e-Reader cards only will give a random Famicom game{{Note|Possible games are {{I|Golf|PG}}, {{I|Punchout|PG}}, {{I|Baseball|PG}}, {{I|Clu Clu Land D|PG}}, {{I|Donkey Kong 3|PG}} or {{I|Donkey Kong Jr|PG}}}} with a 12.5% (1/8) chance, while the two GBA codes are always a particular item, usually from the villager's house, with one code having a 50% chance and one having a 25% chance. They must be sent by mail.
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 +
*In {{PG}}, Card E codes are guaranteed a present, a particular item different from the one received when scanning the card at the [[eTM]]. If the letter is sent to the character on the card, there is either a 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% chance of a common [[NES game]]{{Note|Possible NES games include {{I|Balloon Fight|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Clu Clu Land|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|DK Jr MATH|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Donkey Kong|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Excitebike|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Golf|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Pinball|Animal Crossing}}, and {{I|Tennis|Animal Crossing}}.}} and an inverted chance of the particular item. If the letter is sent to any other villager, the particular item is guaranteed. They can ''only'' be sent by mail.
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 +
*In {{DnMe+}}, due to prioritization and accessibility of scanning e-Reader cards for gifts, using a code from {{DnM+|nolink}} in a letter will only give one of three items obtainable only in this way: the {{I|Shop Sign|DnMe+}}, the {{I|Decorative Plate|DnMe+}}, or {{I|Tanukichi's Autograph|DnMe+}}.
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 +
===Magazine codes===
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{{code|Magazine}}/"contest" codes: These codes were usually included in magazines such as ''Nintendo Power'' and sometimes the Nintendo website, and as such work for any town and player. They are redeemed by mailing or, in {{PG|nolink}} only, telling them to Tom Nook. These codes include a "hit rate" value that could be 0%, 30%, 60%, 80%, or 100%. However, if the player loses they can simply try again. In practice, all official codes shared in magazines and websites had a 100% guaranteed hit rate. Due to this and their availability to any player, these and externally-generated Card E and Card E Mini codes (see below) are sometimes called '''"universal codes"'''.
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 +
===User codes===
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[[File:Tom Nook's Special Delivery.png|thumb|right|The image used on the official Animal Crossing website when a "universal" contest code was available]]
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{{Code|User}}/"Player-to-player" codes: Introduced in {{PG}}, these codes can be generated specifically for another player by telling Tom Nook their player and town name, and are redeemed with him as well. They intend to mimic the experience of a personalized delivery service. Nook will only generate passwords for items that are orderable from the catalog (plus [[Mushroom]]s and [[Candy]]).
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Prior to the discovery of "universal" codes which work for any player regardless of name/town combination, fans created a group named Project Hyrule, whose sole goal was to amass a list of player-to-player codes for every item in the game. To take advantage of such a list, each member used the credentials Link in Hyrule when creating their town. After the advent and proliferation of code generators the group eventually became redundant, however their dedicated cryptologists did manage to generate many universal codes, which when redeemed at Nook's provide the player with a gift from "Project Hyrule."{{Citation Needed}}
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 +
===Card E Mini codes===
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{{Code|Card E Mini}}: Another code type introduced in {{PG|nolink}}, these cards were intended to be generated by winning [[E-Reader_card#Game_Card|e-Reader minigames]]. They are given to Tom Nook. They are another type of "universal" code that will work for any player, and are frequently used by unofficial password generators due to having the least restrictions on what items can be generated. If their hit rate index value is not set to 'one', the code will error with an 'incorrect password' error (see [[#Code messages|Code messages]]).
  
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===Player-to-player codes===
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===New NPC codes===
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As an alternative to online play, the player-to-player code system allows players to send items to anyone in the world so long as they know the receiving player's character and town name. These codes can be both received and redeemed at Nook's shop via the "Other things" menu. Unlike other code types which can be redeemed by any player in any town, player-to-player codes are specific to the character and town name combination they were generated for. This was done to mimic the experience of a personalized delivery service. Nook will only generate passwords for items that are orderable from the catalog (plus [[Mushroom]]s and [[Candy]]).
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{{Code|New NPC}}: These codes were created using Flash plugins on the {{DnMe+}} website which were available until 2020. They required sending an item with a user code to one of the new villagers using their names and Nintendo (にんてんどう) village{{Note|For example, a code for [[Sylvana]] (モンペ) would be created to send to モンペ in にんてんどう village.}}; upon inputting this code with the player's name and town name into the plugin, a code would be generated for them from the villager. Villagers who could have codes created included: [[Moe]], [[Gen]], [[Curt]], [[Carrot]], [[Bella]] and [[Blaire]] in [[e-Reader card/Series 1 (Doubutsu no Mori e+)|Series 1]]; [[Hopkins]], [[Kid Cat]], [[Frett]], [[Sylvana]], [[Peggy]] and [[Bree]] in [[e-Reader card/Series 2 (Doubutsu no Mori e+)|Series 2]]; and [[Broccolo]], [[Poko]], [[Roscoe]], [[Lolly]], [[Megumi]] and [[Vivian]] in [[e-Reader card/Series 3 (Doubutsu no Mori e+)|Series 3]].
  
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Prior to the discovery of universal codes which work for any player regardless of name/town combination, fans created a group named Project Hyrule, whose sole goal was to amass a list of player-to-player codes for every item in the game. To take advantage of such a list, each member used the credentials Link in Hyrule when creating their town. After the advent and proliferation of code generators the group eventually became redundant, however their dedicated cryptologists did manage to generate many universal codes, which when redeemed at Nook's provide the player with a gift from "Project Hyrule."{{Citation Needed}}
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===Object codes===
 +
{{Code|Monument}}: Codes for {{DnMe+|nolink}} generated based on player and town names on Nintendo's now-defunct [[Object Delivery Service]] website, which, when given to Nook, allow for certain [[Object]]s in the player's town. The price for the object is embedded in the password as a 6-character string. This limits the price of objects to between 0 and 999,999 Bells. The password also contains the acre which the object is attempting to be placed in. If the specified acre has no signboards, Tom Nook will tell the player it is impossible to build the object there, and to generate a new password.
  
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===Universal codes===
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== List of official codes ==
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[[File:Tom Nook's Special Delivery.png|thumb|right|The image used on the official Animal Crossing website when a universal code was available]]
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Some contest codes were used by Nintendo to distribute items. The 12 [[Mario Theme]] items and the {{I|Nintendo bench|PG}} can only be obtained through these official codes. Codes for the Mario Theme were published in various issues of ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' magazine and on the game's official website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030812032645/http://www.animal-crossing.com:80/special/delivery.jsp|title=Animal Crossing: Special Delivery|site=animal-crossing.com|archive-date=August 12, 2003|retrieved=October 22, 2020}}</ref> The {{I|Mario trophy|PG}} and {{I|Luigi trophy|PG}}, which can be obtained from [[raffle]]s and [[Crazy Redd's]], respectively, also had codes published in ''Nintendo Power''. The Nintendo bench code was published in issue 100 of ''{{Wp|Tips & Tricks (magazine)|Tips & Tricks}}'' magazine.
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Codes of this type will work for any player. Additionally, they can be used to acquire almost any item (including some [[List of prerelease and unused content in Animal Crossing|unused items]]), whereas player-to-player codes may only be generated for orderable items. Universal codes were originally discovered by accident as players (sometimes intentionally) input the wrong code to Nook. They were also used by Nintendo to distribute the [[Mario Theme]], with codes for individual pieces listed in various issues of [[Nintendo Power]] magazine and on the official website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030812032645/http://www.animal-crossing.com:80/special/delivery.jsp|title=Animal Crossing: Special Delivery|site=animal-crossing.com|archive-date=August 12, 2003|retrieved=October 22, 2020}}</ref> The Nintendo Bench code was distributed through Tips & Tricks magazine.
 
  
  
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| [[File:Green Pipe PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Green Pipe PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Green Pipe|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Green pipe|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 z<br>8 X z S N w p f i j 7 6 t s</tt>
 
| <tt>1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 z<br>8 X z S N w p f i j 7 6 t s</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Super Mushroom PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Super Mushroom PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Super Mushroom|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Super mushroom|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt># S b a U I R m w # g w k Y<br>B h 6 6 q e L M s c T Y % 2</tt>
 
| <tt># S b a U I R m w # g w k Y<br>B h 6 6 q e L M s c T Y % 2</tt>
 
|-
 
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|-
 
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| [[File:Koopa Shell PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Koopa Shell PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Koopa Shell|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Koopa shell|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>r S b a U I A m w U g w k Y<br>1 K 6 t q # L G s c T Y % 2</tt>
 
| <tt>r S b a U I A m w U g w k Y<br>1 K 6 t q # L G s c T Y % 2</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Fire Flower PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Fire Flower PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Fire Flower|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Fire flower|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>4 U T 6 T 9 4 8 G Z n O W 3<br> d w # % j t L E q j 5 Z B f</tt>
 
| <tt>4 U T 6 T 9 4 8 G Z n O W 3<br> d w # % j t L E q j 5 Z B f</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Brick Block PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Brick Block PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Brick Block|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Brick block|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 5<br>8 X z S N K p f W j 7 6 t s</tt>
 
| <tt>1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 5<br>8 X z S N K p f W j 7 6 t s</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:? Block PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:? Block PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|? Block|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|? block|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt># S b a U I R m w # g w k Y<br>B K 6 6 q # L G s c T Y % 2</tt>
 
| <tt># S b a U I R m w # g w k Y<br>B K 6 6 q # L G s c T Y % 2</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Mushroom Mural PG.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Mushroom Mural PG.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Mushroom Mural|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Mushroom mural|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>Q I 6 D L E n h m 2 3 C q H<br>z r U H k 3 c X d # H O r 9</tt>
 
| <tt>Q I 6 D L E n h m 2 3 C q H<br>z r U H k 3 c X d # H O r 9</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Block Flooring PG.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Block Flooring PG.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Block Flooring|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Block flooring|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>I b o O B C e H z 3 Y b I C<br>B 5 i g P v Q Y s f M Z M d</tt>
 
| <tt>I b o O B C e H z 3 Y b I C<br>B 5 i g P v Q Y s f M Z M d</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Mario Trophy PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Mario Trophy PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Mario Trophy|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Mario trophy|Animal Crossing}}
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| <tt>1m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 5<br>8 X z S K d 6 T u j 7 L t s</tt>
+
| <tt>1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 5<br>8 X z S K d 6 T u j 7 L t s</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Luigi Trophy PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Luigi Trophy PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Luigi Trophy|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Luigi trophy|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>E O k t v X I J 7 W d z R j<br>u i T 2 8 v p q c W b J 1 g</tt>
 
| <tt>E O k t v X I J 7 W d z R j<br>u i T 2 8 v p q c W b J 1 g</tt>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[File:Nintendo Bench PG Model.png|50px]]
 
| [[File:Nintendo Bench PG Model.png|50px]]
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| {{I|Nintendo Bench|Animal Crossing}}
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| {{I|Nintendo bench|Animal Crossing}}
 
| <tt>c U 3 j l m @ h d l 6 A i p<br>z J F A E a j A c b Z X i m</tt>
 
| <tt>c U 3 j l m @ h d l 6 A i p<br>z J F A E a j A c b Z X i m</tt>
 
|}
 
|}
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===NES contest codes===
 
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All [[NES games]] (excluding {{I|Mario Bros|Animal Crossing}}, [[Prerelease and unused content in Animal Crossing#Super Mario Bros and Legend of Zelda|Super Mario Bros]], {{I|Ice Climber|Animal Crossing}}, and [[Prerelease and unused content in Animal Crossing#Super Mario Bros and Legend of Zelda|Legend of Zelda]]) can have NES contest codes generated for them. As with universal and player-to-player codes, NES contest codes are redeemed through Tom Nook and are unique to a specific player and town combination.
 
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{{I|Soccer|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Donkey Kong Jr|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Donkey Kong 3|Animal Crossing}}, {{I|Punchout|Animal Crossing}}, and {{I|Clu Clu Land D|Animal Crossing}} were exclusively released on the official ''Animal Crossing'' website using NES contest codes and can only be obtained through this manner; universal codes cannot be generated for these titles. As the game's official site is no longer online, these five games are now solely available via third-party code generators capable of creating this specialized code type.
 
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===Contest codes===
 
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These are distinct from their NES counterparts in that they are not limited to NES titles. Furthermore, they do not always guarantee an item; sometimes the player is told they haven't won the contest. These codes may have been included because Nintendo was planning to run contests for Animal Crossing items, however these plans never came to fruition. Contest codes are similar to universal codes in that they can be entered by any player regardless of character and town name.
 
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===Villager codes===
 
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Found on the back of ''Animal Crossing'' [[e-Reader]] [[Merchandise/Animal Crossing-e|cards]], these codes include an extra key icon in their first line (for a total of three lines of code), and must be sent to villagers via letter. In their reply, the villager will include a present with an item inside. If the player sends a code to the villager pictured on the front of the e-card (e.g. sends the code on the back of [[Bob]]'s card to Bob), that villager will provide the player with a random NES game instead of a regular item from the catalog.
 
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==Cross-compatibility==
 
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The secret codes used in ''Animal Crossing'' are not compatible with any Japanese titles, nor can English code generators create codes that will work for Japanese games. Japanese universal codes do exist, however, and Japanese code generators may have been developed independently of their English counterparts, however their current status is unknown.
 
  
 
==Code messages==
 
==Code messages==
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Different code types will result in different messages from Nook. You can use these messages to determine a code's type as well as to diagnose potential issues when a code is not working.
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Different code types will result in different messages from Nook. These messages can be used to determine a code's type as well as to diagnose potential issues when a code is not working.
  
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'''Wrong password:''' This message is received after entering a player-to-player code that has a few typographical errors, but that is otherwise correct and can be redeemed by the player.
+
'''Wrong password:''' This message is received after entering an incorrect password.
 
:"''Now that's odd... I think there's something the matter with your password. Do you want to tell it to me again?''"
 
:"''Now that's odd... I think there's something the matter with your password. Do you want to tell it to me again?''"
  
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'''Someone else's password:''' This message is received after entering a player-to-player code that was not sent to your specific character and/or town name. Remember that these names must be entered exactly as they appear when generating a code for it to work.
+
'''Someone else's password:''' This message is received after entering a player-to-player, NPC, or NES code which was not sent to the player's specific character and/or town name.
 
:"''Oh?! What's this? You can't use that password, [player name]! Don't try to trick me by using someone else's password! Do you have a password of your own that you'd like to try?''"
 
:"''Oh?! What's this? You can't use that password, [player name]! Don't try to trick me by using someone else's password! Do you have a password of your own that you'd like to try?''"
  
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:"''Eh? I'm sorry, but that password isn't valid here. Try sending it to one of the animals living in [player's town].''"
 
:"''Eh? I'm sorry, but that password isn't valid here. Try sending it to one of the animals living in [player's town].''"
  
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'''Contest winner:''' There are two alternate dialogues for contest codes, one which mentions the sender's name and one which mentions the contest's name.
+
'''NES game:''' This message is received when entering a Famicom/NES code. These codes had a few ways to be generated officially depending on the game and region.
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:"''I see, I see. A [item] has arrived for you from [sender's name]. Please take your present. Thank you much.''"
+
:"''Ah, yes. You entered your name in a contest to win an NES game, eh? I see, I see. Well, here is your [item]. Thank you much.''"
−
:"''I see, I see. This [item] is the prize for winning [contest name]. Congratulations! Thank you much.''"
+
 
 +
'''Character popularity contest:''' This message is received after entering a character popularity contest code. These codes were only used in {{DnM+|nolink}}.
 +
:"''I see, I see. You're looking for your prize for participating in the contest, aren't you? Don't worry! I won't make you tell me who you voted for! Thanks for participating. Here is your [item]. Thank you much!''"
 +
 
 +
'''Contest winner:''' This message is received after 'winning' a contest code. Note that if the player attempts to reenter the code they may eventually 'win' the item.
 +
:"''I see, I see. [A/An/This/Some] [item] has arrived for you from [contest name]. Please take your present. Thank you much.''"
  
−
'''Contest loser:''' This message is received after entering a losing contest code. Note that if the player attempts to reenter the code they may eventually 'win' the item.
+
'''Contest loser:''' This message is received after 'losing' a contest code. Note that if the player attempts to reenter the code they may eventually 'win' the item.
 
:"''I see, I see... ...Now, this IS regrettable! Based on the notification I've received directly from [name]... it seems you are NOT a winner. But thank you much for trying!''"
 
:"''I see, I see... ...Now, this IS regrettable! Based on the notification I've received directly from [name]... it seems you are NOT a winner. But thank you much for trying!''"
 +
 +
'''e-Card minigame winner:''' This message was intended to be used by e-Card minigames when a player won. It is unused, as minigame passwords can only be mailed to villagers.
 +
:"''I see, I see. This [item] is the prize for winning [minigame name]. Congratulations! Thank you much.''"
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
Line 119: Line 158:
 
NookCodes.png|A secret code received from a special page on the [[The Crossing Guardian|''Animal Crossing'' website]]
 
NookCodes.png|A secret code received from a special page on the [[The Crossing Guardian|''Animal Crossing'' website]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
==See also==
 +
*[[Secret code/Generator|Secret code generator and decoder for {{PG|nolink}}]]
 +
*[https://togenyanweb.appspot.com/Yokai/eplus/eplus.html Secret code generator for {{DnMe+|nolink}}]
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
{{Note list}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
  
−
==External links==
+
{{Navbox Gameplay elements}}
−
*[http://retrocheater.multiverseworks.com/acuc2/index.php?mod=generator Third-party code generator and decoder]
+
[[Category:Gameplay modification]]
−
 
 
−
{{Gameplay Elements}}
 
−
[[Category:Cheats and Hacks]]
 
 
[[Category:Image wanted]]
 
[[Category:Image wanted]]

Latest revision as of 12:59, February 1, 2024

"I see, I see. A flying saucer has arrived for you. Here you go. Thank you much."
— Tom Nook, distributing an item
Nook's Code Icon AC.png

Secret codes, also known as passwords or simply codes, are passwords used in Doubutsu no Mori+, Animal Crossing and Doubutsu no Mori e+ to give and receive in-game items. The way codes work in each game varies.

Formatting and input[edit]

In Doubutsu no Mori+[edit]

In Doubutsu no Mori+, codes consist of 22 hiragana characters in two rows of 11. They must be written in letters formatted in three lines, with the first line being あいことば (aikotoba, meaning "secret password"), followed by two lines of the code. The letters can be sent to any villager, and will always result in a letter from the character on the card. The received letter itself is determined by the character, usually containing a certain variable string that is determined by the code itself. These letters arrive after two days of gameplay, and only three can be in transit at a time or they will be overwritten.

In Animal Crossing[edit]

In Animal Crossing, codes consist of 28 characters displayed as two rows of 14 characters each. I Valid code characters include all uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet, the numbers 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, the ampersand (&), the at sign (@), the pound (#), and the percent sign (%). The number 0 and capital O are interchangeable, as are the number 1 and capital I; however, 1 is never generated in a secret code. When generated by Tom Nook, a capital I can be distinguished from a lowercase l by the serif drawn at both the top and bottom of its stem. Codes are always preceded by special key symbol (🔑 ), which must be the first line in a letter but is automatically provided when speaking to Tom Nook.

Passwords can either be input by sending them in a letter to a villager, or being told directly to Tom Nook. This may depend on the type of code, see #Types of codes below. The player will receive their item in a letter from a different character depending on the type of password two days later. While these are unlimited, Tom Nook will only distribute three items via password per game load. To redeem more items, the player must save and quit and then reload the game.

In Doubutsu no Mori e+[edit]

In Doubutsu no Mori e+, codes consist of 32 hiragana characters again displayed as two rows of 16, and are preceded by あいことば like in Doubutsu no Mori+. Like in Animal Crossing, they can still be redeemed via mail or Tom Nook depending on the code type. Mailing a valid 22-character code from Doubutsu no Mori+ will instead result in one of three items exclusively obtained this way, the shop sign, decorative plate, or Tom Nook's autograph card.

Types of codes[edit]

There are several types of secret codes the games can read. Doubutsu no Mori+, Animal Crossing and Doubutsu no Mori e+ each makes use of a variety of code types, each of which serves a different purpose and has a different origin. All code types follow the same description as outlined in the introduction and thus appear very similar to the untrained eye. They are listed below using the games' internal names and colloquial names.

Famicom codes[edit]

Famicom/"NES codes": These codes were used to distribute NES games on Nintendo's website. They are generated using input of the player's name and town name, and are sent by mail to random villagers. Official Famicom codes vary per game:

  • For Animal Crossing, NES games for which codes could be generated on the website included Soccer, Donkey Kong Jr, Donkey Kong 3, Punchout, and Clu Clu Land D. were exclusively released on the official Animal Crossing website using NES codes and can only be obtained through this manner; universal codes cannot be generated for these titles. As the game's official site is no longer online, these five games are now solely available via third-party code generators capable of creating this specialized code type. Additionally, the "Forbidden Four" are no longer valid items for which a code can be created.
  • In Doubutsu no Mori e+, the only NES games not normally obtainable in-game (excluding the "Forbidden Four", which were removed) are Donkey Kong 3 and Punchout. The former had codes distributed for members of Panasonic hi-ho's "Doubutsu no Mori Photo Club" (どうぶつの森 写真くらぶ),[1] while the latter does not seem to have been distributed.

NPC codes[edit]

NPC/Popular/"Character codes": These codes were generated upon voting for a character in Nintendo's Doubutsu no Mori+ Character Popularity Poll. Upon voting, the player would be able to generate a code based on their player and town names, which when mailed would receive a letter and gift from the character voted for (the letter also varies depending on whether it was sent to the character voted for). Translated versions of these letters appear in Animal Crossing (even for new characters Franklin and Farley), although no similar poll seems to have been held for the game. However, these letters can be seen in-game if a third-party code is generated for them.

Card E codes[edit]

Card E/"e-Reader card codes": These codes are by far the most common type of code, due to working for any town and player. They are primarily seen written on the back of most Doubutsu no Mori+ and Animal Crossing e-Reader cards; they can also be seen by getting a certain score in minigames on the e-Reader. In Doubutsu no Mori+, each character card will also show one of two codes when scanned on the GBA; these were replaced with messages from the character on the Animal Crossing cards. Additionally, Nintendo's online code for the Nintendo Bench in Doubutsu no Mori+ is this type of code. The way these codes work differs in each version:

  • In Doubutsu no Mori+, Card E codes have a chance of no present at all (though a letter response is guaranteed), except if they are for a special character, in which case it is guaranteed. Most codes on the back of e-Reader cards only will give a random Famicom game[nb 1] with a 12.5% (1/8) chance, while the two GBA codes are always a particular item, usually from the villager's house, with one code having a 50% chance and one having a 25% chance. They must be sent by mail.
  • In Animal Crossing, Card E codes are guaranteed a present, a particular item different from the one received when scanning the card at the eTM. If the letter is sent to the character on the card, there is either a 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% chance of a common NES game[nb 2] and an inverted chance of the particular item. If the letter is sent to any other villager, the particular item is guaranteed. They can only be sent by mail.

Magazine codes[edit]

Magazine/"contest" codes: These codes were usually included in magazines such as Nintendo Power and sometimes the Nintendo website, and as such work for any town and player. They are redeemed by mailing or, in Animal Crossing only, telling them to Tom Nook. These codes include a "hit rate" value that could be 0%, 30%, 60%, 80%, or 100%. However, if the player loses they can simply try again. In practice, all official codes shared in magazines and websites had a 100% guaranteed hit rate. Due to this and their availability to any player, these and externally-generated Card E and Card E Mini codes (see below) are sometimes called "universal codes".

User codes[edit]

The image used on the official Animal Crossing website when a "universal" contest code was available

User/"Player-to-player" codes: Introduced in Animal Crossing, these codes can be generated specifically for another player by telling Tom Nook their player and town name, and are redeemed with him as well. They intend to mimic the experience of a personalized delivery service. Nook will only generate passwords for items that are orderable from the catalog (plus Mushrooms and Candy).

Prior to the discovery of "universal" codes which work for any player regardless of name/town combination, fans created a group named Project Hyrule, whose sole goal was to amass a list of player-to-player codes for every item in the game. To take advantage of such a list, each member used the credentials Link in Hyrule when creating their town. After the advent and proliferation of code generators the group eventually became redundant, however their dedicated cryptologists did manage to generate many universal codes, which when redeemed at Nook's provide the player with a gift from "Project Hyrule."[citation needed]

Card E Mini codes[edit]

Card E Mini: Another code type introduced in Animal Crossing, these cards were intended to be generated by winning e-Reader minigames. They are given to Tom Nook. They are another type of "universal" code that will work for any player, and are frequently used by unofficial password generators due to having the least restrictions on what items can be generated. If their hit rate index value is not set to 'one', the code will error with an 'incorrect password' error (see Code messages).

New NPC codes[edit]

New NPC: These codes were created using Flash plugins on the Doubutsu no Mori e+ website which were available until 2020. They required sending an item with a user code to one of the new villagers using their names and Nintendo (にんてんどう) village[nb 3]; upon inputting this code with the player's name and town name into the plugin, a code would be generated for them from the villager. Villagers who could have codes created included: Moe, Gen, Curt, Carrot, Bella and Blaire in Series 1; Hopkins, Kid Cat, Frett, Sylvana, Peggy and Bree in Series 2; and Broccolo, Poko, Roscoe, Lolly, Megumi and Vivian in Series 3.

Object codes[edit]

Monument: Codes for Doubutsu no Mori e+ generated based on player and town names on Nintendo's now-defunct Object Delivery Service website, which, when given to Nook, allow for certain Objects in the player's town. The price for the object is embedded in the password as a 6-character string. This limits the price of objects to between 0 and 999,999 Bells. The password also contains the acre which the object is attempting to be placed in. If the specified acre has no signboards, Tom Nook will tell the player it is impossible to build the object there, and to generate a new password.

List of official codes[edit]

Some contest codes were used by Nintendo to distribute items. The 12 Mario Theme items and the Nintendo bench can only be obtained through these official codes. Codes for the Mario Theme were published in various issues of Nintendo Power magazine and on the game's official website.[2] The Mario trophy and Luigi trophy, which can be obtained from raffles and Crazy Redd's, respectively, also had codes published in Nintendo Power. The Nintendo bench code was published in issue 100 of Tips & Tricks magazine.


Item Code
Starman PG Model.png Starman 4 U F 6 T 9 4 8 G Z 3 Z W 3
d w # % j t L E q j 5 Z B f
Cannon PG Model.png Cannon 4 U T 6 T 6 L 8 9 Z n O W 3
d w & % j t L 3 q j L Z B f
Flagpole PG Model.png Flagpole 4 U T 6 T 6 L 8 9 Z n O W 3
d w U % j t L 3 q j L Z B f
Green Pipe PG Model.png Green pipe 1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 z
8 X z S N w p f i j 7 6 t s
Super Mushroom PG Model.png Super mushroom # S b a U I R m w # g w k Y
B h 6 6 q e L M s c T Y % 2
Coin PG Model.png Coin r S b a U I R m w U g w k A
1 K 6 t q # L M s c T Y % 2
Koopa Shell PG Model.png Koopa shell r S b a U I A m w U g w k Y
1 K 6 t q # L G s c T Y % 2
Fire Flower PG Model.png Fire flower 4 U T 6 T 9 4 8 G Z n O W 3
d w # % j t L E q j 5 Z B f
Brick Block PG Model.png Brick block 1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 5
8 X z S N K p f W j 7 6 t s
? Block PG Model.png ? block # S b a U I R m w # g w k Y
B K 6 6 q # L G s c T Y % 2
Mushroom Mural PG Texture.png Mushroom mural Q I 6 D L E n h m 2 3 C q H
z r U H k 3 c X d # H O r 9
Block Flooring PG Texture.png Block flooring I b o O B C e H z 3 Y b I C
B 5 i g P v Q Y s f M Z M d
Mario Trophy PG Model.png Mario trophy 1 m W Y g 6 I f B @ & q 7 5
8 X z S K d 6 T u j 7 L t s
Luigi Trophy PG Model.png Luigi trophy E O k t v X I J 7 W d z R j
u i T 2 8 v p q c W b J 1 g
Nintendo Bench PG Model.png Nintendo bench c U 3 j l m @ h d l 6 A i p
z J F A E a j A c b Z X i m

Code messages[edit]

Different code types will result in different messages from Nook. These messages can be used to determine a code's type as well as to diagnose potential issues when a code is not working.

Wrong password: This message is received after entering an incorrect password.

"Now that's odd... I think there's something the matter with your password. Do you want to tell it to me again?"

Someone else's password: This message is received after entering a player-to-player, NPC, or NES code which was not sent to the player's specific character and/or town name.

"Oh?! What's this? You can't use that password, [player name]! Don't try to trick me by using someone else's password! Do you have a password of your own that you'd like to try?"

Send to animal: This message is received after telling Nook a villager code. This code type can only be redeemed by sending a letter to a villager in town. When mailing a villager code, make sure the key symbol appears by itself on the first line, the first line of code is placed on the second line, and second line of code sits on the third line of the letter. The villager will respond in a few days. If there is not a present attached to the letter then the code was typed incorrectly or is invalid.

"Eh? I'm sorry, but that password isn't valid here. Try sending it to one of the animals living in [player's town]."

NES game: This message is received when entering a Famicom/NES code. These codes had a few ways to be generated officially depending on the game and region.

"Ah, yes. You entered your name in a contest to win an NES game, eh? I see, I see. Well, here is your [item]. Thank you much."

Character popularity contest: This message is received after entering a character popularity contest code. These codes were only used in Doubutsu no Mori+.

"I see, I see. You're looking for your prize for participating in the contest, aren't you? Don't worry! I won't make you tell me who you voted for! Thanks for participating. Here is your [item]. Thank you much!"

Contest winner: This message is received after 'winning' a contest code. Note that if the player attempts to reenter the code they may eventually 'win' the item.

"I see, I see. [A/An/This/Some] [item] has arrived for you from [contest name]. Please take your present. Thank you much."

Contest loser: This message is received after 'losing' a contest code. Note that if the player attempts to reenter the code they may eventually 'win' the item.

"I see, I see... ...Now, this IS regrettable! Based on the notification I've received directly from [name]... it seems you are NOT a winner. But thank you much for trying!"

e-Card minigame winner: This message was intended to be used by e-Card minigames when a player won. It is unused, as minigame passwords can only be mailed to villagers.

"I see, I see. This [item] is the prize for winning [minigame name]. Congratulations! Thank you much."

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ Possible games are Golf, Punchout, Baseball, Clu Clu Land D, Donkey Kong 3 or Donkey Kong Jr
  2. ↑ Possible NES games include Balloon Fight, Clu Clu Land, DK Jr MATH, Donkey Kong, Excitebike, Golf, Pinball, and Tennis.
  3. ↑ For example, a code for Sylvana (モンペ) would be created to send to モンペ in にんてんどう village.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Manabu Tsuchimoto (October 24, 2003). "松下が『どうぶつの森』公開サイトを開設". Retrieved July 15, 2022. (Japanese)
  2. ↑ "Animal Crossing: Special Delivery". animal-crossing.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved October 22, 2020.


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Quests Ball • Favor • Hide-and-seek • Lost item • Time Capsule
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