Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: Nov. 16, 2008

System: Wii

ESRB Rating: E

Official Web site

0:00 The sum total of my experience with Animal Crossing is watching a college friend play the GameCube original for five minutes or so, and playing Animal Crossing: City Folk for the same period at E3. I never really saw the appeal, frankly.

0:01 The game needs to install a system update before starting? What is this, a PS3 game?

0:02 That was an incredibly fast update. A quick system reset and we're ready to play.

0:03 The title pops up over a bear standing in front of an autumnal house. The bear walks around in the background to some pastoral guitar music. Reminds me of NPR on a Sunday.

0:04 "All righty! Sorry to keep you waiting," says Rover, a cat in a black room and spotlight. "I heard you were moving in, so I came to get you! Nice, huh?" Indeed!

0:05 Rover sells me on the benefits of a fresh start ... a new house, new neighbors, an escape from state troopers. OK, he didn't mention that last one. If I had ever played the DS version, I could transfer my game at this point.

0:06 On the bus to town now, passing through a dark tunnel. Rover asks me if the time is right. It's off by six minutes, according to my computer. "I don't know WHAT is up with this watch. It gets ... confused."

0:08 The keyboard speaks every letter as I enter my standard name, "Ace." Rover says that name is "fun and feminine! The perfect name for you!" WHAT?!?! "I'm not a girl," I reply. "MAJOR mistake on my part," apologizes Rover. "I'm really sorry." The facial expressions show he's sincere.

0:09 I name the town "?!?!?!" because I'm a jerk. "I hear that place is really lovely." Oh, Rover, I bet you say that about EVERY town. Really, I do.

0:10 Rover says I must be excited about my new home. I say no. He says my face shows I'm fibbing (I'm not). Wait, how can he see my face? The Wii doesn't even have a camera!

0:12 As we pull into town, Rover gives me a map and tells me to go to the town hall. I get my first actual glimpse of me here. I'm a towheaded little boy that looks just like the boy from all the other AC games, actually. I like the bright colors and simple, anime-infused aesthetic.

0:14 Movement's as simple as clicking around with the pointer. There's a map, but you have to pause the game to view it. A mini-map would seem like a no-brainer, but apparently not.

0:15 Pelly the pelican greets me at town hall. "Well, no need to dillydally! Let's take a look at where you'll be living." I have my choice of four places, which I have to trudge to on foot to check out. What, no brochures?

0:18 On the way to check out a house, I barge in on Benedict the chicken, whose pad has a construction site motif. "I've been looking forward to meeting you! I'm hoping we'll be good friends!" he says, as flowers emanate from behind his head. "I will always remember Nov. 14, 2008 ... 'cause that's the day we met, uh-hoo!" Wow ... I have to tell you, you're coming on a bit strong there, Benedict.

0:19 I'm not a fan of the five seconds or so of loading every time I enter/exit a building.

0:21 I examine an empty little shack with a light and a nonfunctional radio. When I come out, raccoon shop-owner Tom Nook greets me. "So how was the house, hm? You're very much liking it, aren't you?" Er, not really. Do you have anything in a mansion?

0:22 "I'm Eunice. I look forward to spending a little time getting to know you!" People here are really off-puttingly friendly.

0:23 On a sign: "The fisherman's creed: Don't rush, but if you have to rush, don't run." Huh? I think that lost something in the translation, maybe.

0:24 This second house candidate has a candle in place of the lamp. I didn't think it could get worse! Nook is right there to ask me about it when I leave. Is he ... is he stalking me? How does he know where I am?

0:27 House No. 3 has a brick facade, a straw mat and a fancy, futuristic lamp. It's the best I'm gonna do, it seems ... I'll take it!

0:29 "Think of that stereo inside as a moving-in gift from old Tom Nook, hm? (Couldn't sell it anyway...)" SO CUTE!

0:30 The house costs 19,800 Bells?! I don't have that kind of scratch, so Nook gives me a loan. What if I don't pay? Is he gonna break my kneecaps? He invites me to work at the shop to earn some cash. Sure, why not?

0:31 Nook tells me to introduce myself to everyone in town and go to the shop later for work. Boy, the excitement never starts...

0:32 I decide to save my game so I don't have to go through the tutorial again. Apparently this also requires quitting out to the main menu. "Please come back anytime!" I will. Like ... right now!

0:36 When I restart, Resetti the mole pops up out of the ground as I leave my house for the day. "This is Animal Crossing: City Folk. Thanks for pickin' it up. Appreciate the support." I don't have the heart to tell him Nintendo sent me the game....

0:37 I've heard about Mr. Resetti's outbursts before ... he doesn't like it if you neglect to save. "For THIS game, might I strongly suggest ya play without resettin'. We clear here? STRONGLY suggest. ... You ever reset, I'll be swingin' by for a little chat with ya." Is ... is that a threat? "NOW SCRAM!" Eep!

0:38 Wait, how would he know if I quit without saving? Is he watching me with a secret camera or something?

0:39 Rolf the white tiger has a chess-themed house. He gives tips, such as how to shake down trees for fruit. The more you know!

0:40 Just by shaking a few trees, I've already found 200 bells and a bunch of lucrative peaches. That 19,800 will be paid off in no time!

0:41 Quote of the moment: "Your name's Ace, right? Right on! Zip zoom!" CUTE!

0:42 Picking up the peaches that fall from the trees is much too arduous. Half the time, when I click on them with B, it just brings up the menu. LAME!

0:45 My pockets are already full of peaches and flowers, so it's off to the shop to make some sales at Nook's Cranny. What a cute name!

0:46 Nook refuses to deal with me until I say hello to EVERYONE in town. Even the major. What a royal jerk! Also how does he know I haven't said hi to everyone. I'm getting the feeling I'm under constant surveillance here...

0:47 Blathers the owl sleeps during the day while standing in the middle of his museum. That is all.

0:48 In the town hall, Tortimer the turtle demands to know my favorite animal: Cat, Pelican, Raccoon or Turtle. MY real favorite, Hippopotamus, is not listed, so I choose Turtle to kiss up to this stranger. "I like the cut of your jib, young man! We'll get along just fine!" Yeah, if I keep lying...

0:49 Seems Tortimer is the senile mayor of this here town. "I'll be waiting for you in the square in front of the town hall. Yes, waiting and WATCHING." So he admits it! They ARE watching me. I have to get out of this crazy police state! But how...?

0:52 I don't have enough money for new clothes at the Able Sisters shop. How embarrassing ... this camoflauge shirt is SO last season.

0:56 Still looking for people to say hello to so Nook will buy my freaking peaches. Are we having fun yet?

0:57 I wish the map would show where these strangers I still have to meet are located. I feel like I've been up and down the length of the town, but Nook still mocks me. I'm at my wits' end.

0:59 I must have found the last person, because now Nook is all business. He tells me to get rid of some stuff before I start work. But ... but I wanted to sell it! To you! At least I can drop it off at home ... later...

Would I play this game for more than an hour? Grudgingly.


Why? I still don't see the appeal, but the series has a lot of fans and it's from Nintendo, so I feel I have to give it a fair shot at least.

This column is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.



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