The Animal Crossing franchise has changed quite a bit over the years. Recent developments like the ability to customize your town are great additions to the series’ original formula. However, there have been a few great features that have been lost along the way. One seems ripe for a comeback in the next game, and it could even help Nintendo in other regards.
A new Animal Crossing game still hasn’t been announced, though there are rumors that it could be right around the corner. Whether the game has been in development for a while and is just waiting to be revealed, like Donkey Kong Bananza, or it’s still in earlier stages, hopefully Nintendo is considering bringing back some missing features from older games. One in particular I’d like to see is the return of Animal Crossing‘s best collectibles.
Playable Retro Games Need To Return To Animal Crossing
The Original Animal Crossing Featured Retro Games
The original Animal Crossing for the GameCube featured a working NES console. There were a variety of cartridges that you could find buried around the village, or that you could get from special events. Each one came with their own digital NES console, which you could interact with to play classic games like Punch Out!! or the original Donkey Kong.
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Back in 2013, Animal Crossing creator Katsuya Eguchi told Kotaku that this feature likely wouldn’t be returning to the Animal Crossing series. Eguchi said the existence of the Wii U’s virtual console, where players could pay for digital versions of NES games, probably spelled the end for retro games appearing in Animal Crossing. Sure enough, we haven’t seen any since. However, one change from 2013 could mean that this feature is back on the table.
It Could Mesh With The Switch Online Retro Catalog
Retro Games In Animal Crossing Could Serve As Advertising For NSO’s Retro Games
Starting with the Switch, Nintendo no longer gives players the option to purchase individual retro games through a digital console. Instead, you have to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online to have access to the retro games catalog. Although Nintendo is still keeping these games behind a paywall, it seems like one much more penetrable by Animal Crossing than the idea of having to pay for each game you want to play.
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A new Animal Crossing game could allow players to try out a select few NES games that are also available through NSO, which could be great for both Nintendo and players. Not only would it mean the return of a beloved feature to the series, but it would also introduce younger players to retro games they might never have heard of. If they enjoy the games, it could even inspire them to get an NSO subscription to try out more retro titles. However, as Eguchi warned back in 2013, I’m not holding my breath for it.
Source: Kotaku