The Increasing Likelihood of a New Animal Crossing Game Announcement Amidst Nintendo’s Silence

Since its inception over twenty years ago, the Nintendo-exclusive Animal Crossing franchise has garnered a dedicated fan base. The series enchants players across generations with its endearing animal characters, relaxed gameplay featuring activities like fishing and bug-catching, along with extensive customization possibilities.

Each new game typically introduces innovative features and experiences, maintaining the series’ momentum. However, the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) in 2020 marked a significant departure from this trend. Despite an extended hiatus between titles, the franchise has continued to flourish, leaving fans to speculate about upcoming releases.

Animal Crossing Release Patterns: A Notable Exception

The Long Wait from New Leaf to New Horizons

Launched in 2001 on the Nintendo 64, the Animal Crossing series has seen consistent releases, typically spaced a few years apart. A notable exception was the eight-year gap between Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Despite this unusually long wait, the release of New Horizons was met with immense success, leading many to wonder about the future of the series.

To illustrate the timeline of the franchise:

Game	Release Year
Animal Crossing	2001
Animal Crossing: Wild World	2005
Animal Crossing: City Folk	2008
Animal Crossing: New Leaf	2012/2013
Animal Crossing: New Horizons	2020

While the eight-year wait for New Horizons was unprecedented, its record-breaking sales demonstrated that the anticipation had been worthwhile. Fans are now eager to see if future titles will stick to the earlier release frequency or if there will be extended periods between games.

The franchise also encompasses spin-offs, including Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete for iOS and Android, adding to the breadth of the Animal Crossing universe.

Although nothing has been officially declared by Nintendo, there are strong indications that fans can expect news regarding the next installment in the not-so-distant future.

Influence of Nintendo Switch 2 on Upcoming Animal Crossing Games

How Nintendo Switch 2 May Affect the Animal Crossing Franchise

Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

As the Nintendo Switch 2 is rumored to debut in the summer of 2025, there’s potential for the next Animal Crossing title to follow closely behind. Players are hopeful that early 2025 will see some announcements regarding the next game alongside the Switch 2 reveal. However, it’s plausible that Nintendo might opt to wait until mid-cycle to launch a new Animal Crossing installment.

The rationale behind this delay could be strategic. Releasing a new title during the mid-cycle would allow Nintendo to fully utilize the console’s enhanced capabilities, ensuring the new game optimally showcases the advanced hardware. Additionally, it would prevent Animal Crossing from competing against initial launch titles, allowing the game to shine as a standout experience. This also provides Nintendo with ample time to incorporate player feedback and lessons learned to improve the next entry.

Conversely, an earlier release could help maintain the console’s momentum. A timely Animal Crossing launch could drive interest and engagement among both veteran players and newcomers during the Switch 2’s initial rollout. Regardless of the timing, fans are hopeful for innovative features that enhance island customization and improve interactions with animal villagers.

Five Years On from ACNH: What Lies Ahead?

What’s Next After Five Years of ACNH?

Animal Crossing New Horizons player in a winter indoor scene

It has been nearly five years since the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a title that continues to captivate players with its immersive island lifestyle. Despite the significant gap between titles in the past, the franchise’s ongoing popularity keeps fans keenly interested in future developments.

With nearly half a decade since the last main entry, there is growing hope among fans that landing a new release isn’t too far off. Should Nintendo return to its former release cadence, fans might see a new installment arrive shortly after the Switch 2’s launch, potentially as early as the coming year. This prospect makes the anticipation for the next Animal Crossing game greater than ever.

Notably, the first Animal Crossing sold approximately 91,658 copies in its opening week, while New Horizons shattered records with over 1.88 million physical copies sold at launch in Japan alone.

At this stage, however, all discussions are speculative. Nintendo has yet to disclose any concrete details about the release timeline for Animal Crossing on the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Fans remain in eager anticipation of how Nintendo plans to navigate the future of this beloved franchise.

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