
In closing out today's Nintendo Direct, the company announced Animal Crossing would be coming to the Switch.
This marks the first time in over 10 years that a mainline Animal Crossing game has appeared on a Nintendo home console. The team here at Nintendo Life is, to put it mildly, excited about the release. All we know for now is the yet-untitled Animal Crossing title will come to the Switch in 2019.
What do you make of this development? Do you share our enthusiasm for the return of Mr. Resetti? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 108
At least it is confirmed, 2019 seems so far away though.
I can’t wait for this. It is the game I’m most excited for,
They trolled so hard at the end of the Direct with that Isabelle in Smash thing. But then I saw this and I think my screaming woke the dead in the cemetery on the other side of town!
HYPETRAIN
New Animal Crossing!!! Oh glorious day! I was ready to throw a fit with that Isabella in Smash nonsense but thank goodness that cutthroat mortgage broker Nook saved the day with his big announcement!
New AC alone makes this Direct a resounding success!
Held my breathe through that announcement. All I could think was, “I swear Nook, if you aren’t talking about a new full AC game... I’m going boot up New Leaf to do horrible things to your store...”
@Heavyarms55 We've been baited.
I would have far preferred if they actually showed gameplay for once.............
I honestly didn't expect that announcement.
Omg I’m so shocked by this announcement! Not
Finally! I've been looking forward to this.
@fadedcolors Well chances are the game still has alot of work that needs to be done to it. Gotta wait till E3 next year
The announcement should have been E3 stuff, or at least before the risk of third-parties chickening out of the "unsafe bet" that is developing on Nintendo platforms kicks in. Still nice, and the cross-referential Smash nested announcement was pure genius. That, alongside Isabelle representing the animals in the franchise, is why she gets a pass for an otherwise "wasted slot", as the Smasher lingo puts it.
@Mgene15
You got me for a second.
Great way to end a direct.
It’s my announcement of the year....
You mean to tell me a new animal crossing for a Nintendo system is announced almost a year and a half after the system came out, and the release will be about 2 years after the system came out is happening? Omg!
Don't care what anyone saids. this was the best announcement out of everything in that Direct. Imo.
(When i saw HD Isabelle at beginning)
Animal Crossing for Switch !!!
(But when Isabelle was announced as playable character on Smash Bros Ultimate)
Dang it ! I thought it will be Animal Crossing on Switch....
(But after several seconds, when i saw Tom Nook said something after Isabelle's moments...)
Wait! Could it be ??
(After saw Animal Crossing with year 2019)
YAAAAAAAAY.......!!!
Animal Crossing for Switch !!!
Now all I need is a new Story of Seasons.
Oh man. The Sakurai troll move at the end had me DYING.
I was like, no. No no no no no. You did not just get my hopes up for a new game just to tell me it was only a character reveal for Smash, right? Incredibly overbearing disappointment immediately set in. I was ready to cash out, but then Nook! Oh yes, then Nook started talking about how he had to get things ready for when they come back and that's when I knew it was coming (or at least, I secretly hoped).
Animal Crossing Switch. There it is folks. There. It freaking. Is.
So pumped for this! 2019 is fleshing out into something great!
@patbacknitro18 So next year's E3 has Luigi's Mansion 3, Bayonetta 3, Prime 4, Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem?? Sounds pretty hard to believe but we can only hope.
yayyyy!
So is it just me or is 2019 going to be the best year of the switch. A's we got ac, Yoshi, bayonetta 3 , prime 4 , pokemon , final fantasy , fire emblem , daemon , digimon , travis and luigi mansion 3. Combine that with more ports like new Mario bros and next year looks to be even better then 2017.
Made total sense for this one to be the next big franchise to come to switch. Nintendo are being clever and bringing all the big hitters to switch as early as possible to really push the console. Hopefully after this we can bring some love to the smaller titles that don’t spin as much money like fzero, punch out and the like.
Wow...now all that's left is F-Zero.
Nintendo is getting too good at trolling us. Not only this, but the beginning of the LM3 reveal too, how it was like the Belmont announcement.
It’s nice to be getting so psyched and not sure if it’s a fake out, only to get psyched again
I'm still laughing...well done nintendo...well done.
Best news ever for me.
I’m glad because I know so many people wanted this but animal crossing is way to slow for me.
@fadedcolors Well Fire Emblem is a Spring title so hopefully that comes out before e3. But if Metroid and Bayo 3 are confirmed for next year 2019 is going to be a year to remember.
There’s something in my eye 😭
@fadedcolors
Because it is. Think fire emblem will be out before e3. Likely more games as well as we got 8 first party games. Will bet on luigi , pokemon and metroid being at e3 for certain
Please let there be more than 10 Villagers allowed!
Every Direct it's been like "this could be the one" but I never actually thought it would be the one.
Animal Crossing: Drowning in Debt releases in tax season 2019.

This will be my first Animal Crossing game... I surrender, Nintendo. So many folks saying how great the franchise is... I'm in.
@bezerker99: Here's to a thousand more hours of Animal Crossing! ^_^
@fadedcolors Luigis Mansion 3 yes since we got some gameplay. Animal Crossing Maybe it's very likely we'll get some gameplay. Fire Emblem Yes since we already got some gameplay. Bayonetta 3 Most Likely Not since the developers said it was just starting development as the announcement was made. And Metroid Prime 4, probably since it was announced last year and we haven't seen anything about it this year.
Switching time, Switching time! Time for Animal Crossing on Switch and stuff. I just ate, like, five pounds of Joy-Cons and I feel all bloated.
My reaction, when all was said and done with the Direct, was, "[throws hands up] Better late than never! Let's go!"
Not really excited about this nor am i going to get this but I'm glad they're bringing it to switch. I know many of you have been asking for a while now to have an animal crossing come so I'm happy for you folks. On a side note ,I wish Nintendo would have listened to me and brought some more zelda to switch and/or 3ds
That direct blew me away honestly, so many huge announcements, it felt like a proper e3
There is now no one left who can stop Tom Nook.
The long wait begins. This is going to be painful. So very happy today. Thank you, Nintendo.
@Arnold-Kage Not forgetting Doom Eternal. Not 1st party obviously but add that to your list and it becomes even more incredible. What a year its going to be!
I'm going to miss my New Leaf town...but maybe I'll start spending more time with it until this game comes out!
Wow excited beyond words!!!🤯
@Fandabidozi Are you cutting onions too? Cause that’s definitely why I’m crying...yeah....
@AlexSora89 it really shouldn't. Nintendo doesn't give a damn about E3 and that's cool. They want the big announcements as they want them when they want them. Nintendo sets the rules and people will play by their flute! They could just ditch the E3 altogether if they want.
FINALLY!
Am I in heaven? I am, aren't I? It's like Christmas in September!
Oh, glorious day! Now my brother and especially my Mom (who has clocked over 800 hours in New Leaf) can get prepared for the Nookening.
The question now is WHEN in 2019? Please be sooner than later...
I'm so happy. Please let it be a Summer release and not a Holidays one.
Day 1. That’s all I need to say.
@Al_Godoy It's a nice game but personally I prefer Viva Piñata. Animal Crossing has you fishing, catching bugs, buying and selling stuff and paying the mortgage for your house and the renovations. You also trade with other characters, plant... It may look boring but has a relaxing effect. The GameCube entry was the first worldwide and New Leaf on 3DS the last one, ignoring spin-offs.
Now we need to see Metroid Prime 4, Wave Race, Star Fox and F-Zero. And a Super Mario 64 remake would be awesome.
Time to dust off all ur old Animal Crossings Amiibos!!!
Yes! Great direct all round but this was the mic drop for me.
Pokèmon Gen 8. Mario U DX. Animal Crossing. Metroid Prime 4. Luigi's Mansion 3. Yoshi. And SO much more to come. 2019.
I think this is going to be an open world Animal Crossing.
This will be my first Animal Crossing game. Stoked!
So my Amiibo animal crossing will rise from there eternal depths of despair.
They trolled us good. But I suspected AC would be a 2019 title for a while. Sadly I can tell you it will likely be November 2019. So prepare for a long wait.
September 2019. Calling it now.
YES
That Isabelle troll really got me. Well played, Nintendo.
Finally. Wow, can‘t wait to catch some insects for the museum
@fadedcolors I think they announced this to shut up the Animal Crossing fans
This will be my first Animal Crossing game. My daughter is playing New Leaf on her 2DS but since there’s just one save I never tried it.
I’m curious to say the least.
@maruse
Huh?
I think there are at least 3 save files?
I think I will get this. I played it on 3DS, because it came with the system, but wouldn't have been interested otherwise. The game is really repetitive and kind of boring, but somehow the franchise grew to me. I like the character designs. And I think on the go this will be perfect and not as repetitive as me trying to get 3 consecutive hours of playtime out of it. Also I hope it is open world and with much more to do. For example the stuff they had going in Happy Home Designer (which I really liked a lot!).
And I love the way Nintendo trolls its fanbase with Smash. The King K. Rool one at E3 was amazing, the Luigi's Mansion one was great aswell and the Animal Crossing one was fun to. They really like to mess with our feelings.
It must be great to have fans that passionate that you can play those tricks on them.
@OorWullie
Since when do nintendo own digimon ,FF and daemon. Still the new shingame could be added their as well.
@Tiefseemiez
King k rool was in August. Ridley was announced at e3 with daisy
Yayyyyyy!!
@Arnold-Kage
Oh right! Forgot the Smash-Direct in August and got mixed up!
Still I love these announcements, though I personally don't care at all about K. Rool and not that much about Animal Crossing, knowing how many people anticipated this really made me enjoy them.
@Arnold-Kage Pretty much has to be. None of those titles except Animal Crossing and Pokemon are going to be able to score the same kind of sales experienced by Odyssey, Mario Kart, BOTW, Splatoon 2, and likely Smash individually.
So we can expect at least a Yoshi (Spring) , Pokemon mainline (Fall / Winter) , Fire Emblems (Spring), Animal Crossing game as 1st line support for 2019. As Pokemon is likely end of year it would make sense to plan AC before it. If Bayo3, Pikmin 4 and MP4 also come next year (not expected) it would make for a 1st party AAA game every other month! That, with the 3rd party announcements already done will make for a great year 2019, even if Pikmin4, Bayo3 and MP4 are not coming (i am really hoping for Pikmin though).
Why was the power out? Is Nook about to saddle us with more debt???
@maruse : The Animal Crossing games have four save files each, however, you will all be sharing the same town.
As I'm thinking about Isabelle's moveset I guess they could exchange her with any of the other AC neighbors. In the same vein as Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings, I expect at least K.K. Slider as an alt for Isabelle.
@Silly_G Technically it's only one save file that 4 people can play on.
@Tiefseemiez
The same but got a good memory in regards to Videogames but nothing else
@EvrgrnCmln
Think you underestimate new Mario bros and metroid. Still the other games may not be system sellers like pokemon and ac be. However with the what 20 Mil plus user Base in 2019 they will still sell well.
@Arnold-Kage : You might want to delete your duplicate comments. Tablets can be a pain.
@Silly_G
Already did.
@Silly_G I haven't tried so I have no idea, but do they? Then why does the package say that there is just one save supported?
@Arnold-Kage : All good.
Looking forward to it, but when Nintendo says 2019 and have no ingame footage to show for it yet now, it will mean they just started on it and will be guaranteed delayed to 2020.
Just like Pokémon Main game and Yoshi got delayed by a year.
@maruse : You should have the option to add another player where you will then need to choose a vacant spot to set up your house.
@Silly_G OK, so there is just one save, but that can be shared among 4 people each one with his or her own character and progress? Is that right?
@maruse : Yes. You share the same town, but each character will have their own house/funds etc.
@maruse
Let me explain about Animal Crossing New Leaf 3DS.
On that game, you can just ONLY have 1 Save data.
1 Cartridge = 1 Save = 1 Town.
The game can hold until 4 different Human character but one is always the Mayor when you first playing.
If you want another town, you HAVE to buy another cart or another copy of digital download.
@Silly_G @Anti-Matter
OK, I see now... Thank you! I'll try it then!
I honestly though that just one person could play the game because it had just one save. Like with Pokemon games.
@fadedcolors for the love of all that is sacred no. NO. Fire Emblem should NOT be anywhere near next year's E3. Spring release, as early as possible, please!
If anything they can go announce some DLC there, I need my fix before E3 xD
Bit dramatic, but I'm not kidding. I need it. Like yesterday.
ABOUT TIME!!
It might be my first Animal Crossing game. I'm curious to see why everyone loves these games so much.
I'm gonna be a real killjoy here and remind you all that Animal Crossing New Leaf for the 3DS was delayed for at least a year while Nintendo perfected it. It WAS worth the wait however.
Just so you all keep a sense of perspective
@Arnold-Kage Given that Metroid has never sold over 3 million copies, and averages closer to 1.5 million, I doubt it. It'll be successful no doubt, but not in the same league as the likes of Smash, Mario etc.
It's not really a bad thing - just reflective of the reality that some IPs have broader appeal than others. Metroid was never going to be a system seller.
@PuzzleMaster7 I've already escaped Mr. Nooks Wonga style grasp twice in my life time, no more I say! That fool Tortimer may be mayor but I will run this town and Nook would be wise to look out for 'accidents'.
@EvrgrnCmln
Got a point there
@PuzzleMaster7 lol, with Yoshi as the main character 😂😂😂
@NewAdvent plus Shin Megami Tensei V and Pikmin IV, hopefully...where the heck have these 2 games been all this time?!
@dumedum
Okay, but E3 is the place where huge announcements can be felt as huge.
@Tyranexx IKR!?!?! At least now i know what I'll be playing nonstop for the next 6 years lol. Seriously, I'm super stoked!!!
Ol' Sliggy can retire. There's a new master troll in the house!
That was sheer cruelty that troll....and then trolling troll move at the end. I was hyped....
Microsoft did it with "Gears of War! Nope....mobile chibi Gears! Haha, we had you it's real Gears! Nope....but close, it's RTS for PC gears. LOL yeah and Gears 5 too!" at E3. I thought that was expert trolling. But this....this which fans have been raging for 2 E3's to get. to finally get it then have it taken away, for SMASH of all things....then to actually get it after all.
Nintendo owes me a new heart.

But....IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!!
it took them long enough. hopefully it will be worth the wait.
and yet, i almost though that Tom Nook would be coming to Super Smash brothers as a playable character because of how that video trailer of the game started. the light in his office burning out after years of play may want him to have a change of career and steal the spotlight in super smash brothers for once in his life.
@fadedcolors nintendo isnt in the habbit of showing half baked things. They'll wait til they have something polished to show us
Finally! Super excited!
Happy for those that care about this game but i cannot for the life of me find any enjoyment in it. I would genuinely rather watch paint dry.
@bratzdoll all the main title games have been super chill, relaxing, and laid back. Its been the do your routine and wait for the next day to do more game before facebook even existed. Most the characters are charming and likable too.
I got New Leaf on August 1, 2013 and have love AC ever since.
Been waiting for this and I am ready! Me and my daughter cannot wait, we are getting her her own Switch for this and I will keep our current one for my own and we will be getting two AC's.
Just excellent.
Hope Nintendo doesn't do anything unredeemable or too bad to AC Switch to turn anyone away.
To celebrate this and Isabelle getting into Smash, I treated myself with New Leaf, since I've never played an AC game in my life
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