If the U does get an Animal Crossing, I think 2016 sounds good.
Although, I'm not entirely sure the U will get an AC game.
1) The Wii U will likely have a shorter life than the Wii (possibly even the N64 / GC)
2) Animal Crossing has always sold much more on HH's (Nintendo might make it a HH only IP)
3) The AC team is doing Splatoon







