Why could another animal transition be closer than you think

Animal crossing: New Horizons could not be launched at a better time. Initially pushed from the 2019 debut due to the prolonged development period, the latest and long -awaited installments in Animal crossing The series dropped 20 March 2020. Nintendo decided to delay the release date Animal crossing: New Horizons prefer providing polished games to players. With such a reworking of the mechanics in the game, the decision makes a lot of sense. However, the predominant success of the game and the subsequent increase in the popularity of cozy games was not completely pretended by the game giant. The game released in the first days of the Covid-19 Pandemie and has given millions of players around the world a much needed leak from the stress of secular news. Its popularity has strengthened the new era of games on the life simulator market, the expectations of the players increased sharply, and raised the player's interest in cozy play titles.

Numbers do not lie: With more than 40 million copies sold, this is the second best switch. And yet, despite their popularity and financial success, New horizons He did not receive the same level of long -term support as the direct predecessor. After the last main content update and the release of Happy Home Paradise DLC in November 2021, the game was largely laid to rest. Decide to interrupt the main updates of confused fans, especially with regard to how wildly successful New horizons He was like a title. With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 start date is the silence deafening for Animal crossing Fans. Although Nintendo was characterized by silent on plans concerning the future Animal crossingThe upcoming start of Switch 2 can breathe hope back to a hungry fans for new content.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Addresces Switch 2 Island Transfer

Nintendo assures animal crossings: New Horizons players who move the island from the switch to Switch 2 will be a simple process.

The history of the delayed starts for an animal series

When releasing the new console, Nintendo has a number of starting titles to ensure that players see their latest product as a useful investment. Animal crossing He has never been part of the pose of franchise to reduce. Looking back at the release of previous titles for crossing animals, there is a clear pattern of delayed editions.

The name of the animal	Release date (USA)	Relevant Date of Issue of Console and Console (USA)
Animal crossing	September 16, 2002	Nintendo Gamecube \| November 18, 2001
Crossing Animals: Wild World	December 5, 2005	Nintendo DS \| November 21, 2004
Crossing Animal Crossing: City Folk	November 16, 2008	Nintendo Wii \| November 19, 2006
Crossing Animals: New Leaf	June 9, 2013	Nintendo 3DS \| March 27, 2011
Animal crossing: New Horizons	March 20, 2020	Nintendo Switch \| March 3, 2017

Nintendo clearly tends to wait at least a year after the new console starts to release the main record for Animal crossing franchise. The fastest turnover, by issuing the original name on Gamecube less than a year after the console was launched, is a real anomaly. Nintendo has an average tending to take about two and a half years between the launch of the console and the issue of an an Animal crossing title. So, after this pattern, it is no surprise that the latest Nintendo Direct did not disclose any reports of crossing animals.

This timing can provide Nintendo Room to improve new hardware functions and enable their flag franchises to help drive long -term sale, not just early acceptance. After a lukewarm acceptance Urban For Wii, Nintendo learned that every new Animal crossing The game must be redesigned to live, according to the inheritance defining the franchise genre. But New horizons He changed the game, literally and figuratively. It turned out that franchise could achieve the upper basket of the most trusted IP Nintendo and attract in occasional and basic players. That changes the number of Animal crossing can do to start the console AK what can start the console Animal crossing. The franchise could see revitalization if it violates a cycle of delayed editions – can say that franchise could overturn a new sheet.

New horizons could speed up the timeline

It is not hard to imagine that Nintendo accepts massive success New horizons As a reason to move faster at the next item. The performance of the game showed how strong Animal crossing It can be like a system dealer. Since Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch June 2025, get a new Animal crossing He would make a strategic sense in the hands of players. This time, Nintendo could give the game as a key pillar of the early life of the console, rather than a mid -lifecycle booster.

Why could the update suddenly stop for new horizons

During Nintendo Direct in 2021, Nintendo announced the release of Happy Home Paradise DLC scheduled for November 2021. Just over a year after startup New horizonsThe fans were thrilled to see new content for the game that helped them overcome part of the confusion of 2020. However, Nintendo also explained that it would be the last main content update for the game. This decision was a surprise for many and served as a direct secondary position to financial success.

The lack of continuing seasonal content or expanding games left many players feeling that the game was abandoned too early. Especially if fans should compare support New sheet Received, with brands and links that set a new standard for franchise. However, the first restriction of updates could have been a strategic pivot rather than supervision. Nintendo can redistribute resources from the sequel New horizons Update in favor of starting development in the next main game Mainline, which could take advantage of the possibility of hardware and performance of Switch 2. In this light, the sudden end of the updates is not a sign of neglect, but rather a sign of ambition: the silent beginning of the next generation Animal crossing experience.

The new animal transition causes a perfect gift for anniversary

Perhaps the biggest reason the fans should remain promising is the fact that this upcoming year is important Animal crossing Like franchise. 2026 indicates the 25th anniversary of the original Animal crossingRelax in Japan – entertain when still called Doubutsu no mori (Translated: “Animal Forest”). Doubutsu no mori It is also the name of the Japanese film for crossing animals. Nintendo loves a good milestone. Could not be a better way to remind a quarter of a century Animal crossing before running a brand new game. The timing could be perfectly aligned: starting hardware 2025, followed by 2026 Animal crossing Release the celebration of the inheritance of franchise while announcing in the new era.