Animal Crossing has become one of the most beloved and relevant video game franchises of all time. Its laid-back gameplay, endearing characters and aesthetics, and addictive real-time gameplay loop appeal to people of all ages, especially those who see gaming as a way to relax. That said, rumors suggest that the next Animal Crossing could take a different approach, taking the franchise in a radically new direction.
Beyond the rumors that the next Animal Crossing game will be coming to the so-called Nintendo Switch 2, which seems reasonable, there have been rumors about a new setting. Twitter user Nash Weedle made a post in March 2024 claiming that the next Animal Crossing would take place in an urban environment, with skyscrapers and the ability to drive vehicles. Of course, this is nothing more than a rumor, but it does raise interesting questions about the future of the franchise.
While it’s true that you could go to the city in Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City, the options were very limited. Plus, the series has always favoured picturesque, country life, so a trip to a big city could mean significant changes, going far beyond mere aesthetic or level design differences.
Goodbye to the restrictions of real-world schedules
A constant headache for Animal Crossing fans is the limited access to the game’s shops. By default, shops like the Handy Sisters and Mini Nook are only open until 9 and 10 p.m. respectively, to fit into Animal Crossing’s real-time premise.
Of course, there’s a good reason for this. Animal Crossing is meant to offer a kind of virtual community, bound by the constraints of the real-world clock, which sets it apart from other games of the style, like Stardew Valley, which exist in their own timeline and therefore offer a very different kind of gameplay loop.
In any case, it can be unnecessarily restrictive for players who want to play later in the evening or earlier in the morning. Someone with a tight schedule or little time during the day may have difficulty accessing these key locations in the game, impeding their progress and making their experience with the game more cumbersome than necessary. The old trick of changing the console clock to have more control over the game world is well known, but it is still a pain for the player. However, with the prospect of an urban-themed Animal Crossing, the next installment in the series could remedy this problem with something as simple as 24-hour shops, which brings us to the next point.
An urban Animal Crossing with different establishments
One concept that would have a lot of potential in an urban-themed Animal Crossing game would be nightlife. With the franchise’s myriad of design options, you could create cute, charming clubs or late-night cafes and restaurants, which would make sense in a more urban setting. The next Animal Crossing could even have businesses that only open at night, rewarding nighttime players for playing at non-traditional hours. For example, a black market furniture store, an all-night fast food restaurant where you could meet up with villagers or online friends, or a concert hall where Totakeke would delight you with new songs every day or where you could meet new villagers.
Realistically, though, Animal Crossing is an all-ages game, so establishments like bars and clubs are out of the question, but Nintendo would surely know how to give them a family-friendly feel. A town would certainly be a big change to the Animal Crossing formula and identity, but it could be very worthwhile, especially if it offers new opportunities for gameplay and exploration.
What else would you like to see in the next Animal Crossing? Have you read any other rumors? Feel free to comment and share them with us.
