Why Animal Crossing’s Overlooked Game Needs a Release on Switch 2

Animal Crossing has rightfully earned its place as one of Nintendo’s most cherished franchises, captivating players with its heartwarming environment, charming inhabitants, and engaging gameplay mechanics. Yet, amidst the series’ successes, certain titles are less celebrated and have experienced a lukewarm reception, often considered commercial disappointments. A majority of these less successful entries can be attributed to uninspired gameplay or subpar spin-offs. However, nestled among these games is a hidden gem—an Animal Crossing experience that, while possessing a loyal following, remains undervalued and ripe for rediscovery.

Current trends suggest a favorable moment for this underrated title to make a grand comeback. With the impending release of the Nintendo Switch 2, there’s potential for it to be revitalized as a first-party title—perhaps even at a promotional price. Although it didn’t reach great heights initially, the Nintendo Switch 2 may provide the perfect platform for this game to finally attain the recognition it rightfully deserves.

The Legacy of Animal Crossing: City Folk

A Lack of Innovative Features

Released in 2008 for the Wii, Animal Crossing: City Folk aimed to bring the series back to home consoles. Despite launching on one of the highest-selling consoles in history, its performance fell short compared to its predecessors. City Folk sold just 4.32 million copies, a stark contrast to the 11.75 million copies sold by Wild World and the impressive 13.05 million from New Leaf, making it the fourth worst-selling game in the franchise, just above the GameCube version and two spin-offs.

While sales figures offer insight, critical reception paints an equally disheartening picture. With a mere 73 on Metacritic, City Folk trailed behind New Horizons and even flatter titles like Amiibo Festival. Critics lamented its lack of innovation. Though it introduced features such as a new city area to enhance accessibility, many felt it merely recycled ideas from Wild World.

Another significant limitation was City Folk’s stationary nature; both Wild World and New Leaf, as portable titles, achieved sales over 10 million copies. The popularity of New Horizons, which sold an astounding 43 million copies, highlighted the advantages of portability. The absence of an Animal Crossing game on the Wii U after City Folk’s launch underlined this trend.

The Switch 2: A New Opportunity for City Folk

Brewster's café scene in Animal Crossing: City Folk.

Despite the setbacks in sales and reviews, City Folk offered a rich Animal Crossing experience. The addition of a bustling city area opened up avenues for gameplay that were simply unavailable to newcomers in the franchise. Returning players from Wild World found their experiences enhanced, as this urban setting provided a fresh backdrop for exploration.

The time for City Folk to receive its overdue recognition has come, particularly with the launch of the Switch 2. Given that City Folk can be viewed as a polished iteration of Wild World, it stands as an ideal candidate for a Switch 2 port. Its visual style remains appealing, and a simple HD upgrade could attract a modern audience. Unlike prior handheld games, the transition to a home console could be seamless.

Nintendo has numerous titles in its vault ripe for revival, ranging from classic games like Wind Waker to Star Fox. However, City Folk could serve as an essential launch title for the Switch 2 while capturing the hearts of a new generation of Animal Crossing enthusiasts. Its previous lack of commercial success ironically positions it as a prime candidate for resurgence, echoing the trend seen with several Wii U titles that thrived post-porting to the Switch. This timing is further enhanced by the unique features City Folk includes that are missing from New Horizons.

City Folk’s Unique Features Compared to New Horizons

The Villager Interactions: A Step Above

Player interacting with Bill in the city in Animal Crossing: City Folk.

One compelling reason for a Switch 2 port of City Folk is its notable improvements over New Horizons in core gameplay mechanics. While Animal Crossing: New Horizons certainly has its merits, City Folk’s design emerged from its earlier limitations, thereby enhancing the life simulation aspects that fans cherish most. The engaging interactions with villagers stand out in City Folk—players find themselves interacting with vibrant characters who possess rich stories and personalities.

Additionally, the dynamic city environment adds a layer to the gameplay loop that New Horizons fails to replicate. Although New Horizons introduced islands, they often lacked the allure of City Folk’s bustling city, which was meticulously crafted and teeming with unique characters. Accessing this feature on the Switch 2 could illuminate what many have overlooked if they only experienced New Horizons.

Though it may initially seem unconventional to consider City Folk for a Switch 2 remaster, the game genuinely deserves this opportunity. It weaves together the best elements from its predecessors while infusing enough novel features to distinguish itself. Despite not incorporating all the advancements from New Leaf, its city remains a standout feature. As speculation mounts around potential new releases, fans are hopeful that City Folk’s revival could solidify its status as yet another Animal Crossing classic.

Source: Statista, ChaosZeroX/YouTube

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