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| GENRE |
| Communication |
| DEVELOPER |
| Nintendo |
| PUBLISHER |
| Nintendo |
| WI-FI ENHANCED |
| yes |
| WII EXCLUSIVE |
| only-gcn |
| EXPECTED RELEASE DATE |
| September 16, 2002 |
BUY NOW AT
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Animal Crossing
A few years ago, Nintendo started a game titled Animal Forest that was to arrive on the N64. With the end of the 32/64-bit era, they decided to transfer it over to the upcoming GCN. Fast forward to E3 2002 and it arrives, this time titled Animal Crossing, and slated for release this coming fall. Impressions I spent around fifteen minutes screwing around with this title on the show floor. Nintendo seems to really be pushing this title, however I left fairly unimpressed. Don’t get me wrong. The concept behind the game has a lot of promise and possibility. It’s just the game itself might be too deep to get into effectively on the showroom floor. The use of the e-reader function gives the game a certain twist and ability to customization that’s usually left to PC games. It’s popular for players on PC games to download or even create customized clothing and such for placement in their games, and with this really being the first time this has been done on console, one hopes it can effectively take off. Play control seemed fine, everything was fairly basic in terms of acquiring and using items. Though I felt the “stylized” graphics were somewhat lacking. It looked much closer to the original N64 version’s graphics than what most people felt could have been done. Perhaps a renting upon the games release, where I can spent a full weekend playing, will change these thoughts, but for now there seems to be work to be done.
Word on the Street
If I was Nintendo right now, I would be very worried. A title has come to be one of the most intriguing and interesting titles to be shown at E3. Now, after the press conference, has become a very difficult concept to swallow. The concept and idea has had people buzzing for quite some time. Now it’s not quite such a “must play” title. Nintendo is still hyping it, aiming it at what seems to be a younger audience, as a “family game.” Pretty much everyone I’ve run into on the showroom floor today at E3 who has seen the press release video for Animal Crossing is shaking their heads. Even an unnamed NOA felt the bite from that video in a discussion at the booth. From the Horses Mouth Visit the village often throughout the day, because different activities happen at different times; plus, special things sometimes happen on holidays.
Interact with others-up to four other players can move into the village and take turns playing in a shared village, cooperating and competing on one game pak.Swamp Memory Cards with friends who have the game and travel to their villages to interact with different characters there. In other villages, players find different assortments of items and build new relationships with different characters there. In other villages, players find different assortments of items and build new relationships with different groups of villagers.Pay off your debts and improve your house by returning daily, adding floors and new furnishings; watch how other human characters improve their houses, which adds a competitive element.Experience the game’s unique and engrossing sense of community as you join villagers in actual time.Relive many classic NES games included in Animal Crossing, which players will discover, earn or get passwords through Animal Crossing e-cards.Check back regularly or the virtual residence will become overrun by weeds and cockroaches. And don’t dare try to reset the game!Connect to a Game Boy Advance using a NINTENDO GAMECUBE Game Boy Advance cable. Once connected, players can travel from the village to a remote island, and find exotic items.Hook up the new e-Reader through the Game Boy Advance and swipe Animal Crossing e-cards to acquire game tips, special or rare items or even special messages from the characters living at Animal Crossing.Experience the all-new N-port feature. Download a classic NES game to your Game Boy Advance. Then disconnect and take the game with you.Available: September 16, 2002Conclusion There’s still a chance for the target gaming audience (18-35) to catch on to this title, but for now I’m not holding my breath. If you’re a parent, young, or someone who appreciates the concept of a virtual world in a game (think along the lines of the Sims or Harvest Moon), then Animal Crossing should float your boat. Otherwise approach with caution, the most redeeming virtue thus far is in the GBA connectivity, I love the idea of downloading NES ROMS to pay on the GBA. It alone though might make this a title worth looking into.
media
impressions
word on the street
press release notes
overall
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Jeff Hoyt
Staff Profile | Email
"I'd blame it on videogames, but congress already beat me to it." |
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