For many gamers, Animal Crossing: Wild World is the very reason to own a Nintendo DS. And, if 1UP's first impressions are any indication, it'll soon be the reason for many more gamers to own one as well.
As any AC addict will tell you, one of the biggest disappointments of the Gamecube version was the inability to easily share your lovingly decorated town with those who shared your obsession. Wild World remedies this by supporting both ad-hoc multiplayer and online play via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, so never again will you have to send your memory card cross-country just so your pen pal can appreciate your Gyroid orchestra.
The game also puts the touch screen to good use, allowing players to easily write letters, chat with friends, manage their inventory, and design their own line of custom clothing. When not displaying a menu, all action will take place on the bottom screen, with the top screen relegated to merely portraying the sky. This isn?t entirely passive, though, as one can visit the observatory to trace your own constellations using the stylus, which will then be portrayed in the night sky at the appropriate time of the year.
Aside from such new haunts as the observatory and the coffee shop, however, the game is remarkably similar to the original Animal Crossing in scope. You?ll stumble across many of the same denizens from the previous title, including Totakeke, Blathers, and the indomitable Tom Nook himself. Sadly, the playable NES games from the original are one of the few things that Nintendo opted to leave out.
Animal Crossing: Wild World debuts December 5th, leaving you with just over a month to bid your friends, family, and free time farewell.
