I really like the sound of this game. It really should come to USA, the EU and the rest. Want AXNL first, though.

Tom Nook WILL force you to take on another loan to upgrade your mansion when you have paid off your present mortgage. However, if you prefer to live in a smaller mortgage free home, you can do that by not completely paying off that loan. He'll never hound you to complete.
I have a friend who likes to live in her first tiny starter home in Wild World - goodness knows where she puts all her stuff

I take people as they come, and Tom Nook has been kind and helpful to me, apart from being a bit snippy about my time keeping on my first day in Wild World. You could even commend him for offering a temporary job to a clueless greenhorn, as it allowed me to earn enough Bells to buy a fishing rod and shovel.
He has his demons, after all. His broken love affair with Sable (which he messed up) must affect his outlook on life.
Perhaps we should try and get them back together in New Leaf

Jon, maybe your citizens would contribute more readily to public works projects if their mayor stopped annoying them and trapping them behind a row of holes?

Don't enjoy swimming? Found Wild World boring? Frankly, I think you're all just a bit overstimulated by games like Mario Kart (which makes me dizzy ).
That's the whole point of Animal Crossing, you just potter about gently, chuckle at the puns and peculiarities of your fellow inmates, and chill out. I will concede it is a bit like living in an open prison with all the rules and regulations, but you won't have a coronary, though your blood pressure may drop so much your veins clog up. I can't wait for mid June.

I've attempted a couple of Harvest Moon games, but just don't seem to be able to get into them. There's some interesting reviews for this around, however, so I think I might try it - if I get time free with Animal Crossing coming up soon, which should keep me busy for a year at least.

Love them - they don't improve, do they?
@LuigiMan200: Very appropriate!

I played Animal Crossing Wild World for 18 months solid. Having no ability to connect with others on WiFi, I bought a second DS and game card so I could "visit" between my two towns and advance the gameplay that way - its a teeny bit difficult controlling two separate cards at the same time on one's own, but it did the trick. This time linking with "friends" on the 3DS will be a piece of cake.
I don't think there was any hour out of the 24 that I didn't play, just to listen to the music. I loved wandering around my town in the wee small hours fishing and spacing out on the tunes that play then. I recently revived my towns briefly to get back in the swing of things. Pure escapist bliss!
I can't wait for New Leaf and all the new experiences mixed with the old familiar ones. Only problem is it won't be easy just advancing the time on the 3DS to play the 3am shift at 11pm in real time - or maybe Jon will be able to answer that one.

I just can't decide whether I should add to the retail or digital sales numbers, but whenever I see a picture of that adorable little Shizue, the Mayor's Secretary in AC:NL, my heart just melts. I can't wait to meet her.

The waiting is KILLING me!
I count over 60 sleeps before release day - that's too many sleeps to count down with

They better not do that to Animal Crossing New Leaf.
There will be a VERY noisy riot of at least one person if they do!
(Though I'm not expecting it)

How nice. Will watch.
Nuts to comments #8 and #9

Yaaay!
Oh goody.
The one consolation over waiting is Animal Crossing New Leaf.

I'm hoping the coloured inks change includes the ability to use colours for my replies. Surely they've included that along with the ability to add photos and sounds in replies.

Happy Birthday to You - well, it is a birthday as well, isn't it?
Exactly what RudyBelmont said at Comment #113
I usually lurk around a couple of times a day, in case I miss something. Had more laughs here than a great many other places I know of.
Thank you Guys n Gals.

I did get this game and have just started to play it. I was pleasantly surprised, and agree with the review. Match three games aren't everyone's taste, but this one is pleasant on the eye and functions well.
The welcome option of adding extra time in Adventure mode which appears between levels after several have been played is useful, and allows for some adjustments to suit individual players. This seems to be on top of "buying" extra time using bonus points during a level that is proving difficult.
However, I play this sort of game for relaxation and do like an option to consider my strategy at leisure, so I was a little annoyed that even the levels which open up for replay in Relax mode are timed. It's useful to know what my times are, but I hate being rushed to complete a level I've chosen to replay.
This game is priced at about one third of a retail cerasus.media match three game in the UK, so if it has an equivalent number of levels it is good value.
Many thanks for the comprehensive review, Martin.

It's second on my list after Animal Crossing New Leaf

I'd love to see the Pikmin short on my 3DS.
I'd love it even more if there were a 3DS version of the game. I don't own a Wii and I've never played with them, but they were sooo cute moving my games around when I transferred from 3DS to 3DSXL. Please, Nintendo, can we have the proper game on 3DS!

I was going to comment that I enjoyed the caption that goes with the first picture.
However, having scrolled down this far, I may refrain...... but then, maybe not.

Ooooh! Goody, goody, goody, goody!
At last a proper release date for AX New Leaf.
Nintendo - you better not renege on that OR there'll be BIG trouble.

Animal Crossing..Animal Crossing..Animal Crossing..Animal Crossing...........
I promise to buy me several copies if that gets it here in the 1st Quarter, rather than the 1st Half of this year. Sigh!
They keep promising, and then moving the goalposts.
Still...I suppose I wouldn't want a less than perfect game.
On your shoulders Nintendo.

I live in a comparatively rural part of the UK Midlands.
To my surprise I saw it in the window of Waterstones bookshop in Burton-on-Trent. Didn't have time to stop and investigate, but it is out there for the high street shoppers.

No one has mentioned the proposed update for New Style Boutique.
There's a "Download" option in the main menu which leads to an online dead end, but with a message saying it's the place to go for new fashion. I'm hoping it's that.
I've "purchased" several offered outfits from within my game's Mobile Phone which have not so far materialized, and I'm speculating they will be supplied via that page when it is activated.
Fingers crossed

This looks like an interesting variation along vaguely similar lines to Animal Crossing - with human beans instead of animals. I certainly saw some animals in there, but they looked like the none talking sort.
This is a game I would pre-order. Want it!

Happy New Year Folks.
Just bring on Animal Crossing New Leaf and I'll be contented!

Bit late in the day, but a very Merry Christmas all! There's still loads of food and game days left in the holidays.
Thanks to NL and everyone for a load of laughs and to fellow users for being (mostly) a really great bunch.
We survived the Mayans, but step forward the next Doom Prophet

Congratulations all three.
I have to admit the winner gave me a real old fashioned belly laugh
I agree about the ink problem. Could Nintendo just squeeze a little more into our letterboxes via some sort of update, please?

@tigermask:You do realize you can move your DSiWare game to the SD card when you need room on 3DS Internal memory, and then move it back when you want to play it?
I just switch my games around as desired. It is a bit of an annoyance, but a lot better than re-downloading them every time.
Having said that, it is time Nintendo made DSiWare playable from the SD card. Would it be that difficult to do?

Well, I had no idea! However, nothing about the man surprises me. He was great! We've been viewers of "The Sky at Night" for more years than I care to admit, but here's hoping it will continue for many more years presented by the rest of his team.
I think he would admit he had a "good innings", but we will miss him and the enthusiasm he retained all his life.

When does Q2 end?
Just so I know how much patience to keep in reserve for my AC New Leaf wait.

To coin a song phrase - You can't always get what you want!
Another six month wait for Animal Crossing - Boo Hoo....

I like Satoru and I think he does well with his English. He will get more fluent as the months go by.

I'll add my two pence here for us 3DS users - the sooner it comes to the handheld console the better. Let's all get to join in the Nintendo fun!

Just registered for New Art Academy. I already have it on a retail cart, but it is the one game at present that I had felt would be good to have on my SD card. Just need to get a bigger SD card between now and January 1st.

@Tsuchinoko:Thanks, I checked the link and that looks a nice game, but I assume there's no way to download it to my EU 3DS XL. If there was, I suppose I might be able to play it, if I could find someone to teach me how (not being a reader of Japanese, sadly).

Many thanks Chicken for such a detailed review - now I know what the Rivers mode is about - not got round to that yet.
I have this game as a retail release here in the UK. $4.99, which is about 25% of what I paid a year ago, is good value for what sounds like the full version. I see one well known online site is now selling retail copies for £10.
@6ch6ris6: Well Mahjong is popular with many, just as zombi games are popular with others. I can't understand why anyone would want to do battle with putrid walking corpses. There's room for all sorts.
@Tsuchinoko: I want to learn to play real Mahjong on my handheld. Japan seems to have released a number of versions. When will someone bring one to the English speakers of the world?

Oh, Yes, Yes, Yes.
Can't wait!
My personal escape bubble from life's less pleasant realities.

It's Sooooooo difficult having to wait!
This is the main reason I got a 3DS on launch day - such a long time ago.

Well, I love my silver 3DS XL, but if I WERE after a pink one, I actually think that's a lovely shade of pink - sorry Morphtroid!
Having said that, I do generally avoid possible gender specific colours in my technology, and it's pretty irrelevant as I live in the UK anyway.

PS Lets say I wouldn't be looking to sell it on if I won it in a raffle!

@Shiryu:I enjoyed the surprise.
Thank you!

James!
Nice to see you! Are you on holiday, or just stopped by?
Do hope you are fighting our corner at Nintendo.co
Anyways - Happy Halloween

I can cope with the delay - computer programs often present unexpected snags. However, having sent Spotpass messages to everyone saying the games were now available, I do think they could have at least flagged the problem up on the website when it became obvious there was one. It would have saved a lot of folk wondering if they had a problem with their WiFi, 3DS, or their shiny new game cart.
PS It is a lovely game

I don't have any problem purchasing additional levels to extend a game like NSMB2, but I feel most strongly that games like Animal Crossing :New Leaf should come with all the frills in place. Working towards unlocking and collecting everything in the game is mainly what it's all about. Occasional DLC items, as with the extra puzzles that are promised with Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, should remain as freeby treats. These add to the game's appeal, but not having them doesn't spoil the overall enjoyment for those who don't have routine access to the internet, or funds for additional purchases.

I agree that a basic eReading App needs to be standard on the 3DS. It should accept ePub books, which is the main format for all eReaders now, apart from Kindle. It would be a real boon. I think it would be too complicated to design it for books which are covered by digital rights management, but there are thousands of out of copyright books readily available. eBooks would take up very little space on an SD card.

That is just so gorgeous, and all the new things to do. Sigh.... can't wait.
Wild World didn't have disappearing grass - at least I never experienced it. I do hope it doesn't happen in this game.
Oh, by the way Nintendo - pleease, pleease, make sure the Tatami Mat and Shoji Screen are in the EU release this time. I HATED getting a Dungeon wall and floor instead.

This would be well worth owning, if it was made compatible with Animal Crossing 3DS. Think of the time it would save pecking out friendship notes to the animals in your village - bane of my (Nintendo) life, that.

I just want to know the release date for Animal Crossing

@P184 I tried Magician's Quest - just couldn't get into it. Nice looking game though.

Oooh! This looks lovely.
Nintendo and Level-5 - pleeeease bring this to the West

This looks a lot of fun - I do wish I wasn't so rubbish at rhythm games.
Have to try it if it comes to EU, though.
@ThomasBW84: Am I allowed to say, search YouTube for Ian Dury and the Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick?