This news at the yearly presentation for shareholders today really made my day:
One of the two next apps on mobile will be Animal Crossing!!
Can you tell I’m exited? The other of the two is for Fire Emblem, another great choice I think. Nintendo states these two will have gaming elements, and won’t be an app like MiiTomo. I guess that towards autumn I’ll really have to dig up my Animal Crossing game!
The press statement by Nintendo tells us this:
“Nintendo’s Next Mobile Apps: Building on the positive consumer reaction to Miitomo, Nintendo announced that its next two mobile apps would be based on the familiar and beloved Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing franchises. Nintendo plans to release both of these applications this autumn. As for the former app, while making it more accessible in comparison to the Fire Emblemgames for Nintendo’s dedicated gaming systems, Nintendo aims to offer the great value of a role-playing strategy game. Nintendo will design the latter game so that it will be connected with the world of Animal Crossing for dedicated gaming systems. By playing both Animal Crossing games, users will find increased enjoyment. Both of these are pure game applications. Compared toMiitomo, they have more prominent game elements, and the game content will tie closely into Nintendo’s dedicated games business. Nintendo will provide more details about these applications closer to their launch period, and aims to have multiple types of apps that appeal to different audiences and different groups of players.”
Some initial thoughts: do they mean that you can connect with New Leaf and Happy Home Designer? I don’t think there will be a connection with Wild World or City Folk, as both older games aren’t supported anymore through the internet. Remember when I wrote an article wishing for more connections between New Leaf and HHD? (find it here) I’ve always felt that there was so much more fun to be gotten from connections between the games.
I know some Nintendo fans are bound to feel this will diminish their favourite IP, and are afraid this may mean there will be no full games anymore for series like Animal Crossing. It’s my opinion it’s the smartest decision Nintendo could make: use your strong IP to draw people in. Nintendo has to do this to stay an important player in the gaming market in future, otherwise there might not be a long future ahead for them anymore. Use these mobile games as an extension and as a means to draw people to your devoted gaming devices.
I’m pleasantly surprised they didn’t go for Mario next, as I feel they lean too much on their star, some people just don’t like platformers, although they are certainly Nintendo’s strong point!
I agree with you that it is a great move by Nintendo to throw their powerful IPs out there to lure in new customers.
Given its nature, I did not check Miitomo out. However, I am willing to give these two a try if their game-related elements are intriguing enough.
Well, I really like MiiTomo for it’s quirkiness, but it’s such a timesink, so I’m hardly ever on there. These two will be interesting to watch though.
I want to play games with my 3ds and phone with my mobile. miitomo doesnt run on my mobile and on the mobile of my daughter it is not deleteable. she tries since many days. so please nintendo, go on making games for the consoles, thats what i bought them for, to play the games with.
Hi Sandra, I know a lot of people doubt if this is the best way for Nintendo to go, we will have to wait and see. I agree though that they shouldn’t stop making full games for the 3Ds and WiiU, a mobile game is nice but a full new animal crossing game would be better. Just as long as the app game is complimentary!
Fire Emblem on mobile would be nice. Phones have touchscreens so they could even include the petting mini-game.
Haha, I wouldn’t hold your breath for them to do that!
Both my favorites, this sounds amazing! 🙂
I SO cant wait for this….I need to buy it. I recently sold my 3ds with AC new leaf on it and am still sad….however, I just never played and didn’t really have time. Making it on your phone makes it so much more accessible and easily playable!