Animal Crossing On Nintendo DS!

On May 11, 2004, Nintendo delighted thousands of fans across the globe by announcing that it was developing the continuation of the Gamecube sleeper hit, Animal Crossing, for the Nintendo DS. Considering the original's wonderful pick-up-and-play factor, not to mention the possibility of utilizing new DS technology, such as touch-screen capabilities and online play via Wi-Fi connectivity, many fans had already predicted a port of the popular game. However, would it be a straight up port or something completely new?

Familiar faces, new features, and one heck of a name...

Over the next few months, details began to slowly trickle out about the game. Nintendo confirmed that up to four villagers at a time would be able to play through Wi-Fi connectivity. It was also confirmed that the stylus would be used to move inventory items, create textures more easily, and chat with players online with the help of an onscreen keyboard. This was great news for existing fans of the Animal Crossing series, but it still seemed as though Animal Crossing DS would offer little more than the original Animal Crossing experience. Of course, Nintendo rarely disappoints, and they still had quite a few surprises hidden up their sleeve...

At the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo unveiled a plethora of new information regarding Animal Crossing DS. The game finally seemed to be in full production, and some of the new features were positively exciting. Just about everything in the game has been changed in some form, although much of the original gameplay remains intact.

Nintendo has implemented a new style, commonly referred to as the "rolling log" effect, to represent the world of AC:DS. This new effect gives the village a much more circular, global feel. The villages will no longer be separated into acres like the previous game. The game's producer stated that one of the main reasons they went with this new style was because it showed off the sky (represented on the top screen of the DS). A new feature in itself, the sky will not only give the game a much more realistic feel, it will also offer new gameplay. A couple of examples include Pete, the mail pelican, who can be shot out of the sky, and constellations for your village that can be connected and drawn with the stars that appear at night. Undoubtedly Nintendo has a few more sky features that they would like to keep hidden for now.

While it was previously known that Animal Crossing DS would utilize the touch screen to write letters, move items in the inventory, etc., Nintendo announced at E3 that the screen would also be used to navigate the players themselves. Tapping closer to the characters will make them walk, while touching farther away will make them run. The stylus can also be used to talk to villagers and to enter buildings. Of course, the more traditional controls can still be used, but the use of the stylus seems to be a much more responsive (not to mention quicker) method of controlling the game.

Another huge update from the original is the new buildings and villagers included in the game. Many familiar faces, like Tom Nook, Mr. Resetti, Blathers, and K.K. Slider will make a return. Nintendo is also including a large number of never before seen characters, including a poodle and what looks like Blathers� little sister! As for the buildings, the train station has been replaced by the main gate, a large portal guarded by Officers Copper and Booker that connects you to the outside world through the use of Wi-Fi. Tom Nook's shop will feature an extra floor, which houses a beauty salon where players can now customize their hairstyles. You can also earn points by purchasing things at Nook's shop, which will be recorded on a computer. Once you reach a certain amount of points, you are eligible for rewards and discounts at his store. A coffee shop where K.K. Slider can jam on his very own stage will now be included in the museum. The town hall, a mysterious, brand new building, is said to house the post office and perhaps even the Mayor himself! The Able Sisters shop also makes a return, offering not only shirt and umbrella patterns this time, but also patterns for your house, hat, wallpaper, carpet, and even easel art!

The biggest customization opportunities lie inside of your very own home. You can now choose wherever you would like your home to be in your village. As in the last game, four players may move into each town, but they will now be living in one house instead of four. Each player will be able to move things around inside of the house. Of course, house upgrades will be much larger this time around to accommodate four people living inside. Of course, many new furniture pieces will make their way to the game, including a new, much larger storage system for those items you can't seem to find room for, but just don't want to throw away.

Unfortunately, Nintendo has decided not to include one of the most entertaining aspects of the original game: the collectible NES games. The reasoning behind this, according to the game's producer, is that they took away from the overall experience of the last game, and he wanted to focus on the game itself this time around. While this is certainly a letdown for many, the game is so packed full of new features that gamers will barely notice they're gone.

In early September, Nintendo announced that Animal Crossing DS would be officially released under the title Animal Crossing: Wild World. The name seems fitting on many levels. First, the player is interacting with animals in the village every day. And if that's not wild enough for you, the use of Wi-Fi will enable you to interact with the entire world! Now that is wild.

Wi-Fi? What's That?

Nintendo has announced how Animal Crossing: Wild World will allow players to interact online with each other. Players will add each other to their own friend rosters. This can be done through the use of menus if the two friends are playing locally (that is, without the use of a Wi-Fi Connection), or through the use of a password system called the Friend Registration Key when they are playing online. This key is provided when the player registers their copy of Animal Crossing: Wild World online, and can then be given out to whoever the user sees fit.

Just like in the original Animal Crossing, certain things may happen when a friend visits your town. There's a chance that villagers could move in or out. Your friend's constellation may appear in your own town's night sky. A message in a bottle could appear. Nintendo is even considering implementing a special character that appears only when someone travels to your town!

Another recently announced feature of Animal Crossing: Wild World is the ability for your copy of Animal Crossing: Wild World to receive messages from other copies in your local area. This happens when your Nintendo DS is in sleep mode, so remember not to completely power off when you're heading out with your Nintendo DS! You never know who you might find to play with!

If you are worried that you won't be able to utilize the online functionality of Animal Crossing: Wild World, worry no more. All that is needed is a broadband internet service and a wireless router. Haven't got a wireless router? No problem! Nintendo will be releasing their own adapter later this month that plugs right into your computer's USB port. This will enable you to use their online Wi-Fi service for Animal Crossing: Wild World as well as many other upcoming DS titles!

[ed. note: For more information on the workings of Wi-Fi, see AXA's Wi-Fi Guide.]

Population: Growing!

This is a great time for existing Animal Crossing fans and newcomers alike. Animal Crossing: Wild World will be unlike any other game released before it, and if you are hesitant to try it out, the time is now. With countless new features and thousands of people to interact with online, there's never been a better time to "get out, and see the world on your own." Animal Crossing: Wild World releases in North America on December 5th, 2005. Hope to see you there.

Thanks to Andrew for writing this article.