Animal Crossing

The Animal Crossing franchise started in Japan on the Nintendo 64, debuing with the title of "Doubutsu no Mori," which was commonly translated by foreign press as "Animal Forest." This version served as the basic foundation for the subsequent worldwide release of the GameCube version, which retained much of the content the appeared in the N64 release.  Doubutsu no Mori , however, differs from the GameCube version in a number of  respects, the most notable changes being different furniture sets, calendar events, and the implementation of the GameCube's internal clock.  Most of these deviations arose during the localization process for non-Japanese markets, although the clock, which had to be set with every N64 start-up, was only made possible through the use of the GameCube's internal clock.  Although the GameCube version was first released in North America, Japanese audiences eventually got Doubutsu no Mori e , which gave players the ability  to take and store in game pictures, which were stored on an SD card (A special memory card holder was manufactured for this purpose).

Game Customization

Animal Crossing allows the player an enormous amount of customization options.  The player has the option to create new umbrellas, shirts, with a matching hat, and wallpaper patterns for your house or avatar. The players house can be customized to the unique tastes of the player. By adding unique furniture pieces, different carpets and wallpapers, and a personalized greeting recited by the player's mail robot whenever another player visits, the players can add their own personal touch to almost every aspect of their play experience.  The design and layout of the player's house is rated by an organization known as the Happy Room Academy.  Higher scores from the HRA can be achieved by using matching furniture and carpet, and high scores can lead to special furniture rewards.  During conversation some villagers may ask the player for a new catch phrase which they will then use when addressing the player.  The official town song can also be altered at the user's discretion.

Game Features

Conversing with villagers  

Upon exploring their village, players will notice that it is inhabited with villagers of the animal variety. There are many ways to interact with these friendly critters, such as chatting them up in order to  discover new game information, receive odd jobs, or just to learn about a neighboor's unique personality.  Players can ask their animal buddies if they have any tasks they need done, such as making a delivery, picking up an item they left at another villager's house, catching a fish for them to eat, or simply sending them a letter to further your friendship with them in hopes they won't someday leave your village for another. The animals understand the letters you send them, and positive words that are related to the game are the key to keeping the animal's happy. (Hint- including a gift in the letter doesn't hurt either).

Traveling

By popping their memory card into a friend's system, players can travel from their town to their buddies. While there the player can socialize with the different towns people, sample exotic fruits that can be taken back home and planted in their own soil, and view unique fashions created by your friend.  After visiting another village, residents from the player's town may move to their friend's village and allowing new residents to  take their place.

Collecting Items

One of the major possibilities in the game is the player's ability to collect certain species of  fish, insects, and buried prehistoric fossils. All of these items can be donated to the local museum in your name, or sold to Tom Nook for a profit. Bugs are caught by using a net, fish with a fishing rod, and fossils are dug from the ground with a shovel. After catching every species of fish or insect one time, the player will receive a golden version of the specified tool (a golden net for catching all insects and a golden rod for catching all fish).

Time Specific Events

Time passes in the game in real time thanks to the GameCube's internal clock. This give the game the ability to feature holidays such as Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving in real time. Each holiday contains holiday specific events such as fireworks on the Fourth of July and a Santa Claus-like character who delivers presents on Christmas. There are also special in game events that take place at specific times and on specific dates.  For example, an enormous fishing tournament sweeps through town in July, and every Saturday night there is a musical performance outside the train station, put on by a local musician named Totakeke ( KK Slider).

Playable NES Games

As a way of customizing your house, the player may come across Nintendo Entertainment System games which can be played within Animal Crossing.
The NES games available to play include:

• Balloon Fight
• Baseball
  
• Clu Clu Land
• Donkey Kong
• Excite Bike
• Golf
• Mario Bros
• Pinball
• Wario's Woods
• Punchout!!
• Soccer
• and The Legend of Zelda

Other Info

1-4 players Alternating
Memory blocks needed: 58-61 (memory card included)
Game Boy Advance compatible
e-Reader compatible