After the debut of the firstAnimal Crossinggame in 2001, Nintendo released several mainline entries and spin-offs, solidifying the series as a cornerstone of the life-simulation genre. Fueled by the massive success ofAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsin 2020, anticipation is high for the reveal of a new installment in the near future. While Nintendo has yet to confirm if there will be anotherAnimal Crossinggame, it seems unlikely that the developers would let such a massive IP fade into the background.
Current speculation suggests that the next title will debut on the Switch 2. This indicates that thenextAnimal Crossingmight not be released until 2026. Regardless, with many unexplored features and a dedicated fanbase, a fresh entry has immense potential. Specifically, fans eagerly anticipate innovations in both the game’s environment and villager types, which could go hand-in-hand.
Animal Crossing Still Has Plenty of Room To Be Ambitious
The Next Animal Crossing Could Heavily Embrace A New Theme
Given the success ofNew Horizons' tropical island setting, Nintendo might be more willing to take risks with the nextAnimal Crossing. One way it could achieve this is by going all in on a unique theme throughout the game. This could be a significant departure from the usual format, but theoverwhelmingly positive reception toNew Horizonssuggests innovation might be welcome.
Furthermore, as theAnimal Crossingseries continues to evolve, a new game is likely to offer players more control and content compared to its predecessors.New Horizons' final major updatein November 2021, while well-received overall, left some fans feeling the game’s potential wasn’t fully realized. This suggests Nintendo might already be focusing its attention on developing a newAnimal Crossingexperience that addresses those desires for deeper gameplay and content.
The Next Animal Crossing Should Heavily Embrace Its Theme
For a truly cohesive theme, the next installment could blend its setting and villager types. For example, a dense jungle environment could yield dinosaur villagers like Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus. Not only could a vibrant jungle oasis be a thrilling destination for exploration, but daily interactions could involve learning about the jungle ecosystem and participating in related activities. This could include, but not necessarily be limited to, whitewater rafting trips,collecting rare bugs, and exploring hidden waterfalls.
Alternatively, a setting on a colonized moon opens doors for extraterrestrial lifeforms who have the potential to become residents in the player’s blossoming community. Assuming the moon has been rendered habitable, gameplay could revolve aroundterraforming theAnimal Crossingmoon’s surfaceand visiting other planets. Players might also mine rare lunar elements, which would likely be a valuable resource in this new frontier. Ultimately, these activities could all contribute to creating a welcoming environment for alien villagers while fostering a unique interspecies society.
Lastly, a more audacious approach could involve a far-future metropolispopulated by robotic villagers. A museum run by Blathers could feature objects from the past, while players could scavenge for items and repurpose them with a DIY workbench. Of course, this concept may be difficult to implement in anAnimal Crossingtitle, especially since the series is known for its cheery, natural world and lighthearted gameplay. However, careful implementation could lead to a surprisingly popular entry in the series.
Although characters like Cephalobot, Ribbot, and Sprocket exist in theAnimal Crossinguniverse as robotic villagers, they are not classified as a robot species.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
