I know people are probably tired of speculation, but this thought just crossed my minds: what's going to happen to mainline Animal Crossing? I hope this is a healthy discussion/analysis.

So, back in 2012 Nintendo released Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which was the first mainline AC game this generation, and quickly became a huge success selling about 9m (so far). After this, people were expecting the announcement of a Wii U game; but time passed and nothing new showed up. Until Nintendo finally decided to announce... Animal Crossing Plaza, an app for Wii U. Now, this was not what we were expecting, but we still waited for a worthwhile announcement. 

Then E3 2015 came and Nintendo decided to announce Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival. I don't even need to say a thing about this, just that it's not a mainline Animal Crossing game. 

After giving some thought, isn't a bit obvious that Nintendo was always avoiding to release a mainline game for Wii U? They just put filler content there trying to keep fans pleased, which did not happen of course. They even announced a spin off/expansion game for the 3DS: Happy Home Designer. I think all signs are pointing towards their next system... this is the only reason to keep avoiding making a new mainline game, they're probably saving for it as 3DS is already maximized and Wii U is not really worth it. For those reasons I think the title is probably in development for some time and should release on their next system relatively early (first year).

What say you?

Every possible game will be released at the launch of the NX. And because Nintendo has released every single possible game on the system, they will start the developement of the NX 2. For 2018! XD

I could see it happening. But then again, didn't the Animal Crossing Team help out with Splatoon? That could mean they weren't even working on a new Animal Crossing, or they were finished with it. In any case, I really hope it does since I love Animal Crossing and would love to see it in HD.

Been waiting for a console Animal Crossing since I got addicted to New Leaf. I sure hope so!

Yeah i think they are already working on the next one for NX.

If you tie together a few loose rumours, stir in the facts that there are no Animal Crossings on Wii U and Animal Crossing is known to perform better on portables, join the dots and add some embellishment, you could say that it will launch with the NX Portable this holiday season.

Edit: No real Animal Crossings on Wii U

Still a little bummed that there never was a true Animal Crossing game released on Wii U.

God, I hope so! I passed on New Leaf because I always thought they were going to release one for wii u, and they never did so I need a new Animal Crossing right now! And honestly, next time I play AC I want it to have gorgeous visuals so I rather have it on NX console.

I really badly want a new AC game, either on the NX or 3DS/N3DS.



I just want a more expansive game tbh, I love NL but I just want things to be bigger, more variety and more content.

Honestly I think Nintendo is brewing for something insane come NX launch time. I think they realized how miserable the 3ds and Wii U launches were (in terms of software in the first 6 months) and they are going to make up for it by just freaking unloading on our wallets like Rambo in Rambo, the sequel to Firstblood 3.