Animal Crossing: New Leaf was a major hit on 3DS when it arrived in the West in 2013, selling millions of copies and becoming a mainstay for light-hearted chatter on social networks. Its blend of repetition, daily chores and cute whimsy made is a mainstay on a number of systems for weeks, months and - potentially - more than a year.
We'd speculate that a good number of those that enjoyed the title a lot have now moved on, however, with their virtual towns becoming a little decrepit with the passing of time - this writer's terrified to go back to face the recriminating looks from the locals. Yet Nintendo seems keen to keep the title active, recently launching an Animal Crossing Announcement Community on Miiverse.
Nintendo of America is reviving regular SpotPass goodies, too, confirming as much in this week's Nintendo Download update. Notably there'll be fresh items - previously only available in Japan - distributed every two weeks starting this Sunday (1st February) and running right through to 7th November, as you can see below.
Between Feb. 1 and Nov. 7, every two weeks Nintendo will release a new item that has only been available in the Japanese version of Animal Crossing: New Leaf. To get them, visit your nearest Nintendo Zone!
These could simply be standard steps to keep the title in the public consciousness, but nevertheless there's - understandable - wishful thinking that this signals a potential expansion or fresh release for the series in the coming year; we think a Wii U release would be a particularly smart addition to boost the home console.
We'll see in good time, but in the meantime let us know - if you're in North America - whether you're planning to head out to grab some free items.
Comments 48
I'm glad they're continuing to support it. It is, by far, the best of the series and I'm still playing at least 4-5 times a week a year and a half after release.
I still play New Leaf regularly
I do hope the next one comes to the 3DS though. Me and my Husband like to visit each others towns and we shouldn't have to be in separate rooms or bring 2 TV's into 1 room to play together
I've never really understood the allure of any of these life sim time wasting games, but having recently become additced to free-to-play Skylanders: Lost Islands I can see why people become hopelessly addicted to stuff like this. Free DLC, updates, whatever you want to call it seems like a must though to keep more people coming back.
If there is a Wii U version we'll have to look into it. Though I would prefer an "amiibo Crossing" game instead, those amiibo really should have a digital home.
I enjoyed this game a lot but there are huge flaws.
I still play every day. I just wish they wouldn't have limited this to Nintendo Zone locations. There's all of 1 within 100 miles of me, and it's a pain to get to.
Still play it but don't have a Nintendo Zone near me anymore
Animal Crossing for Wii U == instant purchase.
My best friend lives in Japan, and she's probably already hunted them all down for me. But I'll still check it out in case I'm missing one!
I really hope the next installment allows one player to use the tv, and another to use the gamepad. That would be unspeakably cool.
I received the game as a gift last April and I have been in love with it ever since. I've played the game on a near daily basis since, and even games like Pokémon Alpha Sapphire haven't displaced the cartridge from the slot on my 3DS. It's my most played 3DS game, and by far my favourite. Which is funny, because I was very sceptical of Animal Crossing before hand, and had no interest in playing.
I play this game every day, and I'm pleased that Nintendo is still giving us small things like this so long after it's initial release.
Woah, an actual reason to visit N Zone. In theory at least, as i don't have that game.
Yes, I got a letter about this as I still play regularly.
For Wii U would be great, also if it allowed crossover play, and online play, visiting friends on their 3DS and on Wii U's around the world.
I still play for a bit almost everyday. You become invested in the town and inhabitants. I just park outside the local McD's for the n-zone connection. My grandson who is 3000 miles away and I visit each other's towns once a week. Of course, I give him 1 million bells each time, lol.
I only started getting into Animal Crossing because my wife enjoys it so much (I think she probably has poured in about 500+ hours total, and I probably have about 1/5th of that). I enjoy putting in about 20 minutes of play time per session because of its charm and relaxing play. However, my wife recently lost her town due to a save glitch, so I don't think she'll play that much after that (this has happened a few times already). One thing that Nintendo needs to do with AC and other games is what Sony does with PS Plus and offer cloud-based save backups. AC is very susceptible to save corruptions, so it'd be a must-have feature for future titles.
I did get the letter from Nintendo for Japan-only items, so that'll give me an incentive to play a bit longer. The wife and I are moving onto Fantasy Life as next game to play together .
@paleboyjack You can easily just play the game daily in short sessions, about 15-20 minutes. Although, the game is more enjoyable if you know someone who has a copy. The only other AC game I've played was "Wild World" on DS, but this one is much better.
I wish they'd just release the items online. I don't want to go to my local Best Buy just to download a piece of furniture in Animal Crossing.
My local McDonalds is the only place near me that has a Nintendo Zone. However it never seems to work.
I posted a link on how to make your home router look like an N Zone to miiverse... It was deleted, called 'criminal'
I played the heck out of that game and nearly exhausted all its features, with around 200 hours of gameplay. I did lapse, however, and was brokenhearted when my favorite villager was gone when I returned to town. sigh Anyway, I feel like Animal Crossing is a game where DLC would be totally justified, allowing for land expansion, a wider variety of crops to harvest and animals to catch, and an ability to lock in your favorite villagers!
I do like the idea of a home console version of Animal Crossing, but I feel it would make the BEST sense to have it be cross-platform, so you can access your town from either the WiiU or 3DS. I'm not sure how difficult it would be, but it would be so satisfying.
I was skeptical of Animal Crossing, but after taking the plunge I was extremely pleased with the purchase. New Leaf is one of the most enjoyable game experiences I've had.
I was all like, this is brilliant, I'll be dusting off my AC cartridge again.
Until, 'if your in North America'... meh.
Too bad NONE of the Nintendo Zones near me work!
4 McDonald's, 3 Best Buy's, 1,687 Starbucks...
I have the game and I LOVE it but I'm too lazy to play it, so I haven't played it for like a month and a half, and that is really bugging me
Look, I enjoyed and spent an absurd amount of time on New Leaf, but once you have everything and the animals start repeating themselves because you've heard everything they can say the game just becomes boring. Adding a few event items into the game isn't going to change that.
@Captain_Gonru - I might be ready for Zen.
It's been a little while since I played New Leaf. I actually played it recently and both of the villagers that I use hair looks like crap. I need to get back on this game.
I'll be dusting off my AC cartridge, just to see what the excitement is about.
A Wii U version would be sweet!
@No-longer-postin I have no explanation for why some others don't work but a lot of Starbucks have switched from AT&T to Google internet, so the Nintendo Zones went with them. :/ Hopefully something works out for you so you can get these goodies.
My kids used to play it all the time - then I bought them each Fantasy Life and now they never touch AC - New Leaf.
I told them I was going to trade in both of their copies of New Lead, and the both screamed NO!.
Also - It has been a very long time that a Nintendo Zone has actually ever worked for me.
I want the throwing beans. That's all I care about.
I hope I get my beans back
@Pokefanmum82 @TrueWiiMaster @Vineleaf can't post a link here, but look up how to set up a Nintendo zone at your house; it's really easy and saves you the hassle of having to drive all the way to a store. Sidenote, I despise the whole nintendo zone concept lol
@mineralrich I've never played any other AC games and I was able to get into ACNL pretty quickly if you wanna play it, go for it!
@paleboyjack FANTASY LIFE IS SO EXCELLENT! You guys are gonna have so much fun!
Just release the Wii U version, what's the hold up?!
COME VISIT MY TOWN i am in the process of remodeling my house n village
New Leaf Dream Address
5500-4892-3763
my miiverse profile
https://miiverse.nintendo.net/users/Ryo_Hazuki-san
I'm still playing New Leaf to this day. I've only recently tried the online interactions via the island, so its replay value has been slowly rising. I remember getting mail about this, too. Sounds good to me!
I'm still playing my game. God, getting the 100 million bells badge is hard!
@Captain_Gonru Here's an article from 2013 that details the announcement. It's been a gradual process across all Starbucks locations.
http://www.cnet.com/news/at-starbucks-at-t-is-out-and-google-is-in-for-wi-fi/
Most McDonald's and Best Buy locations should still work.
I'm just waiting on the new Animal Crossing game that will potentially be released for Wii U. I've already done all that I want to do in Animal Crossing New Leaf.
@emiingham
Not happening. They always alternate between consoles and handhelds, and aside from e+ in Japan, never do more than one per system.
A WiiU AC announcement has to be coming this year. It's been on every system but GBA since its first appearance, and I see no reason it won't be on WiiU as well. I hope they change things up a little more. Letting you be mayor and customize the town was a good first step, but I'd like to see a little more than that for the first HD version of the series!
A couple of things for those who cannot get it to work at a McDonalds.
You have to sign into their internet with the browser first. You must try to go to a site first to trigger that sign in page. Then the Nintendo zone will work.
There is also an interesting bug where is you setup your own wireless network with the ssid of "Bestbuy" the game thinks you are at a hot spot and you will get the item via the post office.
@rjejr Omg is this a prophet?
@redpanda0310 Oh no, I didn't bring about Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival" did I? I was hoping I just said something like "these games are so slow I'd only play them if I was locked in my house for a year due to a worldwide pandemic".
I really only bought ACNH b/c of the pandemic lockdown and the museum. 535 hours later, still locked down and still playing. Amiibo should still do more, just put amiibo Festival in here already, just a much better version, one we actually play and not just watch.
6 years later, you may have won the award for my oldest comment reply. 😁
@rjejr Lol
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