Every once in a while a game is released that doesn’t really fall within the boundaries of any particular genre. To further complicate matters, these same games illicit a mere shoulder shrug when a friend asks you, “So, what is this game about?” While you could say Animal Crossing falls under the little used “life simulation genre,” a la The Sims, there is no straightforward goal, or even point for that matter, in Animal Crossing’s game play. However, with no evident ending to the game, Animal Crossing came across as a pioneer in 2002, defining absolute freedom in a video game - you do what you want, whenever you want to whoever you want in a living world that, even after you powered off the system, never stopped. Fast forward three years later and we now have a Nintendo DS remake of the best-selling title that ups the ante and serves up a portable re-mix of the cult GameCube hit.
The first thing to be said about Animal Crossing: Wild World is a warning to those who have played the GameCube version to death: The Nintendo DS version is not a brand new game. While there are a number of welcome additions to the franchise, Wild World is essentially a direct port of its 128-bit cousin. Starting off, there are new opening sequences in which you divulge your personal information in order to create your character but once you exit the taxi, it’s off to once again find a home and be Tom Nook’s errand boy in the same fashion that was already carried out on the Cube. Fortunately, once these scenarios are over, that’s where Wild World’s charm really takes over, and the freedom to do anything while stacking your crib and filling it with junk is enough to consume any player’s free time.
Players of the original game will right away notice the hit the graphics have taken, being de-constructed to fit the Nintendo DS hardware, but that isn’t to say the graphics aren’t handled incredibly well. In fact, Wild World sports some of the most impressive polygonal models featured on the system yet. The characters are well detailed, the environments are vivid with life and the weather effects will really draw a player into what he or she creates in their living, breathing world. Character models will change to reflect equipment they are carrying, clothes they are wearing and there are some great animations used when interacting with items. Wild World also makes great use of facial expression and mood indicators so you can easily tell who is in a bad mood, who is on cloud nine and subtle touches like the grimace of your character’s face while fishing really bring the characters alive. The sliding screen effect between areas of the village, much like the scrolling in the original Legend of Zelda, is now gone in favor of a full, fleshed-out world. The environment scales nicely and it seems like your character is walking around on a globe to further push the third dimension.
Article comments
1 - Victor Plenty
Cool review! Highly informative. My only complaint is that all these good reviews of great games for the Nintendo DS may eventually lead me to buy a DS, when I really shouldn't be buying any type of gaming console right now. Too busy with work and stuff.
Still, I'd be much better off buying a DS than the ridiculously overpriced PSP, or even worse, the crushingly expensive XBox 360.
So please, keep reviewing these great Nintendo titles!
2 - Eric Berlin
This piece has been chosen for Blogcritics Editors' Picks of the Week (Jan. 4 - Jan. 10): The Best Shiny Digital Big Tent Freedom Can Buy, congrats!
Celebrate, call the neighbors, get down with yourself, you deserve it…
You also have the honor and opportunity to choose your favorite BC story for the period of 1/11 " 1/17. Please use the comments area at the link above and provide the following by the night of the 17th:
* Name of story
* Website / URL
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* Why it's your favorite story of the week
3 - Aaron Auzins
Yeah, you can't go wrong with the Nintendo DS right now. Bust-A-Move, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart and Sonic Rush are king right now.
4 - James
it was good even though i didnt read it, next time make it like this
January 1st: new years day
tormiter will blah blahg blah etc
5 - Jake
Animal crossing is the best game ever you can`t stop playin it once you start it!!!!!
6 - Jake
ANIMAL CROSSING ROCKZ its like another brand new life!
7 - alayna
omg i love the game and my person has like awsome pink hair you have to like love it well if you dont well i dont like you lol ha ha ha
8 - Xx RosiexX
I luv the game it is sooo fab i have a million bells lol in ma bank so im rich
9 - Emii
omg i am like so totalyl obsessed with it =] It is so cool and my person also has cool pink hair and i have the nicest animals in my town except for Chow =[
10 - Alyssa
This game is so fun! But every town i move into dosent feel like the right town to live in. =(
I'll keep looking!
11 - HumanX
i am so obsessed with this game! Thanks Nintendo for making this game,BC for creating this site, and God for creating everything!
12 - HumanX
I LOVE ANIMAL CROSSING! SO DOES THE REST OF MY FAMILY WE JUST CSN'T STOP PLAYING