Animal crossing
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Female Animal Crossing villagers join Super Smash Bros' playable cast
Super Smash Bros. series director Masahiro Sakurai revealed today that players will be able to choose among several playable Animal Crossing villagers in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, including multiple female characters. Today's roster addition is one of several female character options introduced in the latest Super Smash Bros. series entry. Nintendo previously announced that players will be able to play as both male and female Wii Fit Trainers, and Super Mario Galaxy's Rosalina also made the cut recently. Super Smash Bros. will launch for the Nintendo 3DS this summer, and a Wii U release will follow in the winter. [Image: Nintendo]
Animal Crossing tale of mother's love retold for Mother's Day
You may already know the tale of a child connecting with their mother via Animal Crossing - it's an older story, one we brought to you back in 2007. Now that story has been retold by artist Alex Cherry, and it's just as inspiring. Happy Mother's Day everyone. [Thanks, Alex] [Image: Alex Cherry]
Joystiq Weekly: Facebook buys Oculus VR, Bioshock Infinite DLC review, GDC videos and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. If GDC and this past week has taught us anything, it's that almost no one's happy with the present state of reality. Virtual reality headset Oculus Rift now has a pretty cushion-y parent company, the comparable Project Morpheus potentially has Sony's developers behind it, and Microsoft might be toying with their own ideas for augmented reality. The common consensus seems to be "let's reach the future, even if it means strapping displays to our faces." We're starting to wonder what Nintendo's non-wearable health technology is going to look like. If it's not something to block out our primary reality, and if it's planned to launch through Nintendo's fiscal year of 2016, will it be something to supplement devices we already own? Maybe we'll face a line of AdventureTrek treadmills, where we run and jump our way through iconic Nintendo universes. Maybe it will involve a Pokemon MMO played with pedometer devices like the Pokemon Pikachu, with dungeon raids consisting of a dozen people throwing their devices into dryers for the best possible attack speed. Or maybe neither of those ideas! Because they're garbage. What isn't garbage is the slew of news, reviews and original content we've lined up for you in this week's Joystiq Weekly. Even if you don't care about VR, there's news of a legal tussle between 3D Realms and Gearbox over Duke Nukem, a hint of The Last Of Us reaching the PS4 and a review of Bioshock Infinite's Burial at Sea Episode Two. There's also video features from GDC for Fantasia: Music Evolved, Goat Simulator and Videoball, in case you like moving pictures with your words. We've summarized all that and more for you to delve into after the break!
Animal Crossing creator open to the idea of AC-themed mobile apps
With many companies pursuing mobile counterparts for established series, even monstrously-long JRPGs like Final Fantasy 6, we asked Animal Crossing series creator Katsuya Eguchi, through a translator, if there was any hesitation to do the same for Animal Crossing. After all, the relaxed nature of checking in with villagers and tending a town feels well-suited for a mobile device, especially in comparison to braving a 15-minute JRPG boss battle. Eguchi reaffirmed the series' home on Nintendo hardware, pointing out that while some may enjoy Animal Crossing in short spurts, there are many that spend the time to meticulously organize their towns, down to the location of each and every flower. He also feels that the 3DS' inputs lend themselves to that style of gameplay better than the existing options on smartphones. With that said, Eguchi did express interest in leveraging mobile devices in a way that could bring fans back to their primary Animal Crossing experience. He offered examples of hypothetical apps that would let you create clothing designs on the go, or serve as reminders of appointments made to hang out with the villagers in their town. Eguchi seems open to the idea of working with mobile devices, provided it's something that would inspire players to return to the central Animal Crossing experience more often. [Image: Nintendo]
Animal Crossing: New Leaf moves into 7.38 million homes worldwide
Animal Crossing: New Leaf has reestablished the concept of being financially indebted to a shopkeeping raccoon, with 7.38 million copies sold worldwide. Animal Crossing series creator Katsuya Eguchi shared the sales data during a panel at GDC 2014, adding that the 3DS itself has found 42.74 million homes in Nintendo's global audience. [Image: Joystiq]
Best of the Rest: Anthony's picks of 2013
Team Joystiq is barging into 2014 with a celebration of last year's best games. Keep reading throughout the week to see our assembly of ingenious indies and triple-A triumphs. DmC: Devil May Cry No game surprised me more in 2013 than DmC: Devil May Cry. That surprise has absolutely nothing to do with some diehard devotion to Capcom's internally developed quartet of games in the original series either. What surprised me was the fact that Ninja Theory finally made something that lived up to the promise of Enslaved and Heavenly Sword. Both games aimed high in trying to deliver bitchin' action and deeply human tales, but both missed the mark. In DmC, they finally nailed it. Young Dante's fight against the demons is classic coming-of-age stuff. Rushing through Limbo feels like if J.D. Salinger wrote Dead Leaves. The combat, meanwhile, felt meatier than the limp button mashing of Enslaved, but more accessible than ball busters like Devil May Cry 3.
Nintendo needs to embrace iOS as a games platform
In 2011, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata vowed that his company would absolutely not create games for iOS devices. That same year saw the launch of the 3DS, Nintendo's new hope for mobile gaming dominance. Now, in 2013, with its marquee home console, the Wii U, thoroughly underperforming in sales and the 3DS falling considerably short of its predecessor's performance over the 28 months since its release, it's time for Iwata-san to reconsider. I believe Nintendo could be successful making games for iOS, and it's the kind of "creative destruction" that's necessary to keep the gaming giant relevant in the App Store era. Times have changed When the original Nintendo DS hit the market in 2004, the Motorola RAZR was all the rage. Since then, Nintendo has launched an all-new platform in the 3DS. Fliphones have given way to smartphones, with current devices like the iPhone 5 producing gaming experiences that oftentimes surpass those of dedicated portable gaming systems. Mobile gaming is now dominated by app stores, and a franchise like Angry Birds can draw downloads by the billions. There's still room for a console like the 3DS, and that's made clear by the fact that its sales are still climbing. Profits from the 3DS have saved Nintendo from fiscal disaster with the Wii U. However, with 32.5 million units sold over the first 27 months of availability, the 3DS still falls well short of the 40.3 million units the original DS was able to move in the same amount of time. The ground is ever so slowly shrinking beneath Nintendo's feet. On top of this, Nintendo -- perhaps more than any other company -- has franchises that are perfectly suited to life on the iPhone and iPad. Pokémon, Animal Crossing, and even the various iterations of Mario could be easily adapted for iOS. With the generally outstanding quality of first-party Nintendo releases, there should be little doubt that these games would be fantastic. It's hard to imagine a Mario Kart, Pikmin, or WarioWare title not taking the App Store by storm. "But why iOS? Why not Android?" Simple: Apple already caters to many principles Nintendo believes in. Most notable in this regard is piracy prevention. It's the reason Nintendo often chooses irregular media formats for its devices, such as the tiny GameCube optical discs, and why the company has aggressively fought the sale of devices like the R4 card which mimics a DS game card. Unlike Android, Apple's marketplace is highly policed even before software is put up for sale, meaning Nintendo would have less concern over losing money to cracked versions of its games. Google Play generates more app downloads overall, but when it comes to monetization the iOS App Store blows the doors off of Google Play. iOS apps generated more than double the revenue of Google Play, and if there's one thing that would push Nintendo to build mobile games for a platform other than its own, it's cash. Will it happen? I'm not going to say it will definitely happen, but it could, and it most definitely should. Nintendo has already shown that it's not entirely against the idea of iOS apps in general with the release of its Pokédex app. Right now, the Pokédex is seated in the top 25 of the reference section, after having been released in March. But it's not a game, and games are what Nintendo is (obviously) known for. The company may have been just testing the waters with the release of the Pokédex, but from there it's not exactly a stretch to publish a proper game, whatever it might be, on the App Store as well. Nintendo knows that people would buy its titles on iOS, and it knows the money is here waiting, so it may be just a matter of time before it decides to cash the check.
Animal Crossing Plaza community launches on Wii U
Nintendo announced an Animal Crossing-themed app for Wii U during its Nintendo Direct presentation this morning. The app, titled Animal Crossing Plaza, allows players to post messages with screenshots and QR codes from 3DS game Animal Crossing: New Leaf via SD card to the series' new Miiverse community. The plaza itself is similar to the Mii Plaza, except adorable critters from the Animal Crossing series now run around instead of Miis. The Animal Crossing Plaza is available now for free in the Wii U eShop. Nintendo says the service will be available through the end of 2014.
The Soapbox: A new mode of interaction
Video games are, by definition, an interactive medium. The entire point of playing a video game is that you get to explore the world, talk to the characters, slay the monsters, and reap the rewards. And you do all this with a keyboard and mouse or controller or futuristic headset or whatever. Players are in charge; players create their own experience. Every video game ever released hinges on player interaction to tell its story. Without the player, a game's inhabitants are meaningless pixels guarding empty checkpoints, staggering through the woods with a groan, or walking in endless circles selling bread. In order for a game to function, players must be able to interact with it. The only question is how.
Animal Crossing New Leaf review: Beardo's lament
I've developed a hatred for Beardo, a blue bear with a mustache and sideburns that built his house right next to mine in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. I had plans to surround my mansion-to-be with flower beds. While the line of cherry trees I planted set me apart from Beardo, it wasn't good enough. Even as the mayor of the town of Hayward, a title granted to me by mistake because I stepped off the train alone after the game's brief introduction, my power was limited. Sure, I could mosey over to the town hall to complain about how Beardo dresses or talks, which I did, but he only assured me he'll clean up his act. I couldn't just kick Beardo to the curb. As mayor, it's my responsibility to make the town sparkle with new public works projects. Beardo didn't fund the yellow bench or the fountain it sits in front of – I did. He didn't plant the assorted trees, build a campsite or a police station. While I'm paying for prime tourist attractions, Beardo is lumbering around town with a watering can, flooding the flowers I already watered. One Saturday afternoon, the town's citizens competed in a sea bass fishing derby. I devoted hours to luring in dozens of fish, and was determined to win a sweet gold trophy for the center of the main room of my house. I came in second, and you better believe I was bitter when Beardo stood above me on the winner's podium, holding the first place trophy that was meant for me. I then abandoned my duties as mayor to dig holes around his house, plant trees in front of his doorway, send him vulgar letters and shove him around until he stormed off in anger. It may be my job to make Hayward heaven for its citizens, but it became my personal mission to make it hell for Beardo.%Gallery-190164%
Animal Crossing: New Leaf coming June 9 NA, June 14 EU
Animal Crossing: New Leaf will be released in North America June 9, and in Europe June 14. Time to sign up for an intensive civics class, so you're prepared for your duties as mayor.During the presentation, Nintendo's Bill Trinen hinted at some kind of new feature being added to the North American release, likely online-related. He didn't go so far as to say what the new feature was.
Nintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan
If you live in Japan and aren't already red-shelling on a Pokémon or risqué edition 3DS XL, maybe one of these three new bundles will inspire you. For the minimalists: the Monster Hunter Tri G bundle complete with all-black 3DS XL (known as the LL in Japan), releasing November 1st for 21,800 yen (approximately $280). Following one week later (on the 8th) is the Animal Crossing: Jump Out bundle with white and pattern handheld, setting you back 22,800 yen (approximately $290). And, for the same price, the pièce de résistance of the trio -- a New Super Mario Bros. 2 bundle with black and embellished red XL, expected November 15th. If you're the importing type, or just want to see how good the Japanese got it, then check out the gallery below and pick your favorite.
Animal Crossing 3DS hits Japan November 8
Animal Crossing: Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori (translated as 'Jump Out') is coming to 3DSes in Japan on November 8. Nintendo announced the news in this morning's Direct broadcast, in which footage of the game showcased its enhanced customization features, along with the fun of putting your head in an Iwata cut-out.Andriasang reports that Nintendo will release more details in a special Direct broadcast nearer its release. The game is expected in Europe next year, and presumably (hopefully) the US too.
Animal Crossing 3DS arrives in Japan this fall
Nintendo has announced in its Nintendo Direct presentation this evening that Animal Crossing 3DS will arrive in Japan later on this Fall. So the wait's not long at all until you get to take over the animal town as mayor yourself, and proclaim your dominance over the various creatures of the town.Unfortunately, we're all slaves to both capitalism and fate: A short trailer for the game showed the player shopping for extra items, customizing the inside of a house with things like a TV and furniture, and even visiting a crazy cat fortune teller for an out-of-this-world psychic reading. Just goes to show you: There's always someone higher up the totem pole.
Tom Nook goes to the mayor in Animal Crossing 3DS
This Animal Crossing 3DS developer roundtable is appropriately mellow for a game about hanging out in a quiet village. Producer Katsuya Eguchi speaks to pastel-clad members of the development team, presented with cute forest borders on the screen and set to some sweet music. How placid! The developers answer questions from fans, revealing a bit of news in the process. Right away, director Aya Kyogoku reveals that you'll become the mayor of your village, ousting the despotic Tortimer. "As mayor, you can develop your village," Kyogoku said. "Well, you also don't have to." You'll have a secretary to help you conduct mayoral business. Also new to the series: pants! You can customize your (now taller) character's shirt and pants, doubling the selection of clothing items you'll have to spend years playing to complete. Female characters can wear pants, and male characters can wear skirts. Along with reevaluating the main character designs, the village's animal inhabitants have also been redesigned. The smaller species (like squirrels) are now noticeably shorter than the taller ones. Other new features include StreetPass house designs, which you can share with anyone you happen to be near. They appear in others' games as model homes, watched over by a real estate agent ... Tom Nook. Stay tuned until the end for a live performance of a new song by the "real" K.K. Slider, composer Kazumi Totaka.
Breakfast Topic: What could WoW borrow from console games?
This Breakfast Topic has been brought to you by Seed, the AOL guest writer program that brings your words to WoW Insider's pages. Does anyone remember when Blizzard said it wanted to add Animal Crossing-style fishing to WoW? What about the idea of a more personalized daily experience for the Molten Front? MMOs are great, but console games still offer a few things that could add some additional depth to genre, and Blizzard already knows this. Personally, I'd love to see combat get revamped to be more like Monster Hunter. Dodges and attacks are based on real skill, not arbitrary stats (though damage taken and received is still stat-based), plus enemies have specific parts you can hit to eventually break or cut off pieces of a creature. I mean really, wouldn't it be cool if a whole raid focus fired on Nefarion's neck in order to chop his head off and haul it back to Orgrimmar? Or what about random power-ups appearing, à la Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros.? You're just running around the game world, and suddenly a giant sword appears, increasing your damage dealt by 1,000% and giving you a single move that constantly fires up for 15 seconds. Take that, murloc scum! What kinds of console-like features would you like to see Blizzard implement in WoW? Enemies that can be knocked out and dragged? Randomly appearing pipes to secret treasure caves? Open-world, mounted combat?
'Charlie Sheen Crossing' crosses Charlie Sheen with Animal Crossing
We're not sure what to make of Charlie Sheen Crossing, which combines the quotes ... nay, teachings of the temporarily-unemployed actor with screenshots from the Animal Crossing franchise. Is it a hilariously off-kilter thought experiment? Random mish-mash of words and pictures? Shameless cash-in on human fallibility? We're too jacked up on tiger blood to care. [Thanks, Ron]
GDC 2011: Checking in with UTV True Games
Casual, colorful and comical: That's the effort that UTV True Games is putting into its growing portfolio of MMOs. From Faxion Online to Mytheon, UTV has quite a few things cooking on the stove, and we happily taste-tested new visuals and info from this year's Games Developer Conference. First up was the PvP-centric Faxion, pitting the good-smelling forces of Heaven against the sulfur-sprayed armies of Hell. Faxion is currently prepping for its second closed beta test, and we've been intrigued by what we've seen so far. The devs released 10 new images for the game, which you can see below: %Gallery-113832% For more previews of UTV's Mytheon, Sky Legends and Planet Crashers, hit the jump and pray you have a chute!
Fans available through Club Nintendo starting tomorrow
Nintendo just sent us a note alerting us to a new way to spend Club Nintendo coins: the sensu (Japanese paper fans) released in Japan this April. They'll be available on the North American Club Nintendo site tomorrow, October 7, in four designs: Mario, Animal Crossing fireworks, Animal Crossing faces, or Blooper. Just in time for ... the scorching fall heat? Each fan will cost 300 coins, equivalent to one of those silly Wii Remote stands. Sorry to tempt you during your ongoing quest to collect enough points for the Game & Watch Collection 2.
Club Nintendo fans for Nintendo fans
Nintendo of Japan has unveiled the latest prizes to tempt people out of their Club Nintendo coins: a series of Japanese folding fans in Mario and Animal Crossing motifs. For 150 coins each, the service has four surprisingly cool-looking fans: one featuring Mario on a monochrome background, one with Bloobers on blue, an Animal Crossing fireworks scene, and another Animal Crossing image with a pink color scheme. These will be available through June 30. Nintendo also put the Mario poster set on the Japanese site. We used to see things like these and lament the fact that they'd never be available outside of Japan. But North America's Club Nintendo actually brings over a lot of stuff from the Japanese club now!
