Joystiq

Animal Crossing: New Leaf coming June 9 NA, June 14 EU

JC Fletcher — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:18:00 EST

Animal Crossing: New Leaf will be released in North America June 9, and in Europe June 14. Time to sign up for an intensive civics class, so you're prepared for your duties as mayor.

During the presentation, Nintendo's Bill Trinen hinted at some kind of new feature being added to the North American release, likely online-related. He didn't go so far as to say what the new feature was.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf coming June 9 NA, June 14 EU originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Animal Crossing 3DS hits Japan November 8

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:45:00 EST

Animal Crossing: Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori (translated as 'Jump Out') is coming to 3DSes in Japan on November 8. Nintendo announced the news in this morning's Direct broadcast, in which footage of the game showcased its enhanced customization features, along with the fun of putting your head in an Iwata cut-out.

Andriasang reports that Nintendo will release more details in a special Direct broadcast nearer its release. The game is expected in Europe next year, and presumably (hopefully) the US too.

Animal Crossing 3DS hits Japan November 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Animal Crossing 3DS arrives in Japan this fall

Mike Schramm — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:12:00 EST

Nintendo has announced in its Nintendo Direct presentation this evening that Animal Crossing 3DS will arrive in Japan later on this Fall. So the wait's not long at all until you get to take over the animal town as mayor yourself, and proclaim your dominance over the various creatures of the town.

Unfortunately, we're all slaves to both capitalism and fate: A short trailer for the game showed the player shopping for extra items, customizing the inside of a house with things like a TV and furniture, and even visiting a crazy cat fortune teller for an out-of-this-world psychic reading. Just goes to show you: There's always someone higher up the totem pole.

Animal Crossing 3DS arrives in Japan this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tom Nook goes to the mayor in Animal Crossing 3DS

JC Fletcher — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST

This Animal Crossing 3DS developer roundtable is appropriately mellow for a game about hanging out in a quiet village. Producer Katsuya Eguchi speaks to pastel-clad members of the development team, presented with cute forest borders on the screen and set to some sweet music. How placid! The developers answer questions from fans, revealing a bit of news in the process.

Right away, director Aya Kyogoku reveals that you'll become the mayor of your village, ousting the despotic Tortimer. "As mayor, you can develop your village," Kyogoku said. "Well, you also don't have to." You'll have a secretary to help you conduct mayoral business.

Also new to the series: pants! You can customize your (now taller) character's shirt and pants, doubling the selection of clothing items you'll have to spend years playing to complete. Female characters can wear pants, and male characters can wear skirts. Along with reevaluating the main character designs, the village's animal inhabitants have also been redesigned. The smaller species (like squirrels) are now noticeably shorter than the taller ones.

Other new features include StreetPass house designs, which you can share with anyone you happen to be near. They appear in others' games as model homes, watched over by a real estate agent ... Tom Nook. Stay tuned until the end for a live performance of a new song by the "real" K.K. Slider, composer Kazumi Totaka.

Tom Nook goes to the mayor in Animal Crossing 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Charlie Sheen Crossing' crosses Charlie Sheen with Animal Crossing

Justin McElroy — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST

We're not sure what to make of Charlie Sheen Crossing, which combines the quotes ... nay, teachings of the temporarily-unemployed actor with screenshots from the Animal Crossing franchise.

Is it a hilariously off-kilter thought experiment? Random mish-mash of words and pictures? Shameless cash-in on human fallibility? We're too jacked up on tiger blood to care.

[Thanks, Ron]

'Charlie Sheen Crossing' crosses Charlie Sheen with Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fans available through Club Nintendo starting tomorrow

JC Fletcher — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Nintendo just sent us a note alerting us to a new way to spend Club Nintendo coins: the sensu (Japanese paper fans) released in Japan this April. They'll be available on the North American Club Nintendo site tomorrow, October 7, in four designs: Mario, Animal Crossing fireworks, Animal Crossing faces, or Blooper. Just in time for ... the scorching fall heat?

Each fan will cost 300 coins, equivalent to one of those silly Wii Remote stands. Sorry to tempt you during your ongoing quest to collect enough points for the Game & Watch Collection 2.

Fans available through Club Nintendo starting tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Club Nintendo fans for Nintendo fans

JC Fletcher — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:56:00 EST

Nintendo of Japan has unveiled the latest prizes to tempt people out of their Club Nintendo coins: a series of Japanese folding fans in Mario and Animal Crossing motifs. For 150 coins each, the service has four surprisingly cool-looking fans: one featuring Mario on a monochrome background, one with Bloobers on blue, an Animal Crossing fireworks scene, and another Animal Crossing image with a pink color scheme. These will be available through June 30. Nintendo also put the Mario poster set on the Japanese site.

We used to see things like these and lament the fact that they'd never be available outside of Japan. But North America's Club Nintendo actually brings over a lot of stuff from the Japanese club now!

Club Nintendo fans for Nintendo fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Nintendo gives you a pile of trash

David Hinkle — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:16:00 EST

If you've been doing your due diligence with Animal Crossing: City Folk, know that Nintendo has a full month of activities ahead for October. The first item on the agenda is giving you a nice pile of trash. No, seriously, if you connect your Wii to the internet, you can get a letter from Nintendo with a free pile of leaves attached. It should go wonderfully with that trashcan you have sitting in your house's corner.

Head past the break for the rest of this week's content on the Nintendo Channel.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Nintendo gives you a pile of trash

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Nintendo gives you a pile of trash originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New DLC makes Animal Crossing avatars look even more punchable

JC Fletcher — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:30:00 EST

To celebrate the release of Punch-Out!!, Nintendo is offering a gift to European Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City players on Little Mac's behalf. Is it enough to bring prodigal Crossers back into the Wii game? Well, only those who love headgear. We kind of think the protective boxing equipment looks slightly supervillain-esque, which is a bonus.

From now until June 5, Let's Go to the City players who have WiiConnect24 on can get a gift of green boxing headgear just for turning the game on and checking their mail. The headgear will be stuffed into a letter. The item has yet to appear on the North American DLC hub, but we're confident American gamers will be able to protect their avatars' squishy heads soon.

[Via N-Europe]

New DLC makes Animal Crossing avatars look even more punchable originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NintendoWare Weekly: Calculators, Clocks, and Fish

David Hinkle — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:00:00 EST

This week, Nintendo has a double dose of downloads -- both on the DSi -- for the Animal Crossing fans out there. Complementing Nintendo's handheld offerings are one new WiiWare game and a C64 title for the Virtual Console. So, quit wasting time here and head past the break to check out this week's content on the DSi and Wii.

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: Calculators, Clocks, and Fish

NintendoWare Weekly: Calculators, Clocks, and Fish originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Analyst: Poor Wii Music, Animal Crossing sales stamina to blame for downturn

David Hinkle — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST

Wii sales have been the lowest they've ever been in Japan. Is the Japanese public losing interest? Screen Digest analyst Ed Barton told GameBizBlog that the Wii sales downturn is mostly due to the lack of staying power exhibited by Animal Crossing: City Folk and Wii Music.

Barton says that the continued success of Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii only back up his claim. "These are older games that obviously have shown tremendous stamina, but Nintendo always needs to bring out new ways to drive console sales forward, and we just didn't see that with Wii Music and City Folk." Even though both titles sold decently enough (Animal Crossing was one of the region's top 10 selling games in 2008 and Wii Music debuted with 92,000 units sold in its first week), they lacked the necessary sales stamina of Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii.

He says that there isn't much hope on the horizon either, despite the imminent release of Monster Hunter 3 on Wii. He warns that trying to transfer the user base from handheld to home console is risky and that the gamble may not pay off for Nintendo. Barton is of the mind that "it won't have the same level of success that it had on the PSP."

Analyst: Poor Wii Music, Animal Crossing sales stamina to blame for downturn originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo opens NA Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub

Xav de Matos — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST

North American Animal Crossing fans finally have a place to check for upcoming DLC updates to City Folk. Nintendo has opened an Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub site outlining downloadable content and game updates specifically for the NTSC region. A similar site is already available to Japanese gamers.

Currently, the hub lists a special "shamrock hat" (available until March 24) delivered to town via a letter with the attached item with special Spring content coming soon. Let's hope that the update also means that North American City Folk will get as much cool content as their Japanese counterparts.

[via GoNintendo]

Nintendo opens NA Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Missouri Police say adults shouldn't play Animal Crossing

Jason Dobson — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:10:00 EST

Son, turn the game box off and come over here. Now, since you turned 18 your mom and I have been meaning to talk with you about your little habit. No, not the smoking or the drinking. Really, we're fine with all of that. No, what we're concerned about is the time you spend exchanging friend codes with all those people in Animal Crossing: City Folk. We've been talking to Detective Andy Anderson of the Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force, who says that he "cannot come up with any legitimate reason that an adult would be playing that particular game."

Now, heaven knows what you've been putting in all of those letters and gift boxes, but Anderson told ABC affiliate KMIZ that you, and others like you, are likely playing Animal Crossing and similar games "for the wrong reasons." Sure it's addicting, but it's also evil, so please, son, do us all a favor and put the controller down and go play something more your age. But before you go, tell your mom to put down that galdarned Peggle and bring me a turkey pot pie. I'm glad we had this little chat.

[Via Game Politics]

Missouri Police say adults shouldn't play Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Animal Crossing City Folk for thrifty folk

JC Fletcher — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST

It's not too often that a major first-party Nintendo release gets a price drop. That makes today's Amazon deal of the day, Animal Crossing: City Folk, somewhat of a novelty. If you thought $50 was too high for what seemed like a minimal content upgrade over Wild World, how does $30 sound? We're guessing it's going to sound pretty good to a lot of people -- enough people that Amazon will run out of stock before the end of the day.

As usual, the person who benefits most from this deal is Tom Nook. Sometime within the 5-8 day Free Super Saver Shipping period, Tom Nook is going to find himself with a veritable army of new indentured residents.

Animal Crossing City Folk for thrifty folk originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Animal Crossing: City Photo Contest

JC Fletcher — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

One of the more fun, and less discussed, new gameplay additions in Animal Crossing: City Folk is the ability to take snapshots and save them to an SD card for sharing. Nintendo and their Digicam Print Channel partner, Fujifilm, are taking advantage of the new functionality with a new contest for Japan designed to encourage online photo sharing.

Until January 28, photos uploaded to the special Animal Crossing section of Fuji's photo sharing site, Fotonoma, will be eligible for entry in a contest. Winners in each of two themes (favorite photos and shots showing off fashion) will receive prizes, including a new Fuji digital camera, a Wiimote and Nunchuk, or Animal Crossing postcards. It sounds like a fun and novel way to interact with other Animal Crossing fans while possibly winning stuff!

[Via Inside-Games]

Animal Crossing: City Photo Contest originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Crossing into 2009

JC Fletcher — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

Animal Crossing: City Folk was seen as a bit of a disappointment by some longtime Animal Crossing players, due to the fact that it is extremely similar to previous iterations, with a perceived lack of much new content. But the real worth of any Animal Crossing game is revealed by its longevity, and we thought we would query you guys about that as we begin 2009.

Are you still actively participating in your town's life? If so, how long have you had the game? Do you foresee City Folk becoming a long-lived pastime for you, or will you put it down as soon as something else catches your eye?

[Image via Technofranki]

Wii Warm Up: Crossing into 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fanswag: Animal Crossing goes to ...

Joystiq Staff — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Contests / Giveaways

Well, our latest giveaway has come to a close and we've been waiting long enough to select a winner. The lucky recipient of Animal Crossing: City Folk is none other than:

Beerbandit, who loves to fish

Congrats to our winner and better luck next time to all of you. Keep your eyes on Wii Fanboy. We'll be starting up another giveaway soon.

Fanswag: Animal Crossing goes to ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Target puts select titles on sale

David Hinkle — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Sales

Target is having a sale where key Wii titles will be discounted. As you can see above, qualifying titles include Shaun White Snowboarding, Animal Crossing: City Folk, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. If you didn't get check any of these titles out, but wanted to, now might be the time to head on over to your local Target store. Also, we're not sure if the sale price on Madden 09 applies to just the Xbox 360 version, or all versions of the game, so keep that in mind if you're thinking about throwing the virtual pigskin around.

Target puts select titles on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Little Magician's Magic Name Change

JC Fletcher — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Video

IGN sneaked a preview and a bunch of videos out for Little Magician's Magic Adventure right before the holidays, and we didn't want to miss the chance to talk about it or to share it with any of you who might not have seen it. The game has another new name for North America: Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times, and IGN's preview makes it sound like a much deeper take on its obvious inspiration, Animal Crossing.

The pictograms that are used to string together spells can also be used to converse with neighbors: "Slide in the "greetings" tile and the characters will say hello back. Get more complex though, and the system allows you to combine these, by say, adding a greeting and then a weather icon to, at least in theory, talk about the weather with a character."

Random day-to-day gameplay is only part of it: the game includes 52 quests, one a week, that use the magic your character learns in school. We're very quickly becoming big fans of this thing! The first video footage is above, and you can see more (or this in a larger window) at IGN.

Little Magician's Magic Name Change originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Saturday special

David Hinkle — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

With Animal Crossing: City Folk having released for awhile now, we were wondering how many of you managed to catch a performance or two by the one they call K.K. Slider. We used to catch his Saturday concerts all of the time in Animal Crossing: Wild World, so we're anxious to hear your thoughts on the dog's performances in the new game. So, have you caught a show yet? Thoughts?

Wii Warm Up: Saturday special originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Reminder: Animal Crossing still up for grabs

Joystiq Staff — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Contests / Giveaways

Like free stuff? Well, why not try and win a game for free, on us? This week's we're giving away a copy of Animal Crossing: City Folk for the Wii. Want to get in on the action? Check out the original contest post right here.

Best of luck to you all and, remember: this contest ends Sunday night and you can enter once each day.

Reminder: Animal Crossing still up for grabs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Animal Crossing: Let's Get a New Disc from Nintendo

JC Fletcher — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

When Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City was released, Australians discovered, to their ~~horror~~ annoyance, that the DS Suitcase feature was unusable in their region. Since the Australian release of Wild World on the DS used the exact same code as the North American version, the Wii game identified it as coming from the wrong region.

Australians who would like to be able to transfer their DS characters and catalogs into Let's Go to the City are advised to contact Nintendo to exchange your disc for a new replacement, which will allow the DS Suitcase feature to work with Australian copies of Wild World. Unfortunately, of course, if you want to use your DS character, that means starting over in Let's Go to the City.

[Via VOOKS]

Animal Crossing: Let's Get a New Disc from Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fanswag: Animal Crossing: City Folk

David Hinkle — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Contests / Giveaways

Are you all ready for another fanswag giveaway? Our latest game up for grabs is Animal Crossing: City Folk. We're running this giveaway starting today and ending Sunday, December 21st at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected the following day via random drawing. To enter, simply tell us what your favorite activity in Animal Crossing is. Do you love to fish? Dig for fossils? Catch bugs? Tell us!

One lucky reader will walk away with a copy of Animal Crossing: City Folk ($50). Of course, we've got a couple of rules. For one, you have to be at least 18 years of age and a current and legal resident of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec). Also, you may only enter once per day. Before entering, make sure you read the official rules right here, too!

Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading!

Fanswag: Animal Crossing: City Folk originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Did your animals cross?

Alisha Karabinus — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

Animal Crossing is one of those games that really seems to produce severely divided opinions. Some people scoff at the mere mention of the franchise while others are willing to sit, bloodshot and cramped, for hours, pruning weeds and fishing. Y'know, doing all those Animal Crossing kinds of things.

This Animal Crossing has some neat additions, but the gameplay is, well, it's Animal Crossing. Knowing that, did you try it? Is that what you wanted? If you're not much into the franchise, did you at least rent it, or maybe borrow the game from a friend?

Wii Warm Up: Did your animals cross? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lock up your children: Mr. Resetti may 'disturb' them

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: News

FACT: Animal Crossing games would be a lot less awesome without Mr. Resetti. The maddened mole teaches his lessons through tough love, subjecting players to lengthy, unavoidable rants every time they "forget" to save their game. Now, we're willing to admit that our parents contributed in some small way* to our upbringing, but would we be the same, upstanding citizens we are now without the firm intervention of Resetti? No.

That's why we were disappointed to hear that the mole now carries his own warning, in case he makes kids burst into floods of tears or something.

Madness, we know, but it's all there in black and white, in your Animal Crossing: City Folk manual: "Mr. Resetti's purpose is to teach players the importance of saving. However, parents should be aware that his personality and tone of voice, while intentionally humourous, are authoritative and may be disturbing to young children." Wow, protective, much?

* Kidding, obviously, if you're reading, Dad.

Lock up your children: Mr. Resetti may 'disturb' them originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Animal Crossing DS-to-Wii transfers region-locked, busted in Australia

JC Fletcher — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:48:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

Nintendo of Australia took a shortcut with their release of Animal Crossing: Wild World on the DS: it's a direct copy of the US version -- "ESRB rating and all," as Vooks says. That shortcut has come back to haunt them with the release of Let's Go to the City.

Vooks' Daniel Vuckovic attempted to use the DS Suitcase to transfer his Wild World catalog and character to the new game. Instead of a catalog loaded with playroom furniture and Mario accessories, he was presented with this error message, as well as a similar one on the DS.

This is significant for two reasons that we can think of: first, it's definitive proof that the DS Suitcase is region-locked. If your copy of Wild World is imported, the gates to your Wii town are firmly closed. Second, it means that Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City is basically missing a feature in Australia. Nintendo is just having terrible luck with this DS Suitcase thing!

Animal Crossing DS-to-Wii transfers region-locked, busted in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Animal Crossing: Wild, Racist FILTH [update]

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Update: Nintendo has issued an official statement. Head past the break to read it.

Nintendo is, famously, very politically correct where Animal Crossing is concerned. In the games, any festivals or holidays with even a hint of religious overtones are quietly repackaged: Easter becomes "Bunny Day," Christmas is "The Night that Jingle Comes to Town," and so forth. This keenness to be inclusive and totally inoffensive means Animal Crossing: Wild World was the last game we expected to spew racist terminology.

Because that's what it's done ... albeit accidentally. If you've played an Animal Crossing title before, you'll know that you can teach your fellow villagers words, which they'll then use to greet you. Naturally, this is open to player abuse, as you can enter cuss words and other rude terms -- something that not even Nintendo is above doing.

MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo recently received a copy of Wild World from Nintendo, so he could test the Wii/DS transfer feature in City Folk. The copy had been played before, because it was full of rare, unlocked items, but those weren't the only secrets the cart held. As he started chatting to his village's animals, Totilo suddenly found himself being racially abused by a sheep called Baabara. "How are you, N---a?" is just one greeting he received from the woolly fascist. Whoops!

Maybe triple-check the next batch of press-only carts you send out, Nintendo? Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to phone the Daily Mail.

Gallery: Animal Crossing: Wild World

Continue reading Animal Crossing: Wild, Racist FILTH [update]

Animal Crossing: Wild, Racist FILTH [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Press-only Animal Crossing features N-word [update]

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:46:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii

A pre-played version of 2005's Animal Crossing: Wild World for DS, sent out to media outlets to encourage connectivity with the recent Animal Crossing release for Wii, contains at least one shocking addition, reports MTV Multiplayer. Importing the saved data from the DS cartridge sent by Nintendo into Animal Crossing: City Folk introduces a host of changes into the game, including one, suddenly no longer E-rated character, Baabara, who now greets players with: "How are you, Ñ---á?" [edited; original creator added diacritics]

To clarify, this generally offensive slang term (preceded by another potentially offensive phrase above it) is not included in the retail release of the game. Rather, whomever Nintendo employed to play the version of Wild World sent to press with all of the game's items unlocked, purposely "trained" the Baabara character to use the term. Further, introducing this kind of offensive content into a new copy of the game, from a stranger via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, is nearly impossible. To import content from another game cartridge over the internet requires two users to first exchange their unique 16-digit codes before they are able to share data. In other words, your kids are safe -- unless they or their "friends" are the creators of such content.

What MTV Multiplayer and other outlets have discovered is an isolated matter. Still, since the media serves as a filter through which you receive your news about Nintendo products, Nintendo clearly needs to work harder to prevent the kind of incident highlighted here from happening again. Also, an apology would be nice ...

Update: And here's that apology ... "We regret that an offensive phrase was included without our knowledge via a wireless function that allows user-generated catchphrases to spread virally from one game to the next," said Nintendo in a statement sent to us. The company is asking that the 14 affected copies it mailed out to the media be returned. The full statement is posted after the break.

[Note: As this post contains sensitive material, this is just a friendly reminder to keep the comments clean -- or face the perma-banhammer. Thank you.]

Continue reading Press-only Animal Crossing features N-word [update]

Press-only Animal Crossing features N-word [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Amazon's Black Friday deals are worth staying home for

JC Fletcher — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: News, Sales

The Black Friday game deals that Amazon has revealed so far are among the most compelling anywhere -- and that's not even taking into account the fact that you don't have to face the teeming masses of retail zombies to get your hands on them. All you need is a finger hovering over the F5 key and a credit card nearby.

Amazon sent a partial list to Kotaku, with the promise that there will be lots more cheap games to buy come Black Friday. The standout among the Wii offers is the Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle for $40, but we'd feel like victorious Black Friday navigators if we managed to score a $26 copy of de Blob or a $30 Wario Land: Shake It.

Oh, and they'll have Wii systems and copies of Wii Fit starting midnight (we assume PST, since that's when Amazon usually updates their deals).

Amazon's Black Friday deals are worth staying home for originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DS Daily: Tamed World

JC Fletcher — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: DS Daily

The release of Animal Crossing: City Folk on the Wii has probably thrown some old-school Animal Crossing devotees back into the daily routine of pulling weeds, digging up fossils, and fishing until Nookington's closes. But while we had to be reindoctrinated by City Folk, it occurs to us that there may be some model citizens out there still doing their civic duty in Wild World -- or even the original.

If you've been keeping up with a previous Animal Crossing, how long has your stay been? And how often do you check in?

Gallery: Animal Crossing: Wild World

[Wallpaper found on the official website]

DS Daily: Tamed World originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

DS Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2]

Joystiq Staff — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Game Night

Update: The staff is no longer in the Game Night chat. Thanks to everyone that showed up and if we missed you, see you next week!

With the release of Animal Crossing: City Folk this week, we're anxious to visit your towns and hang out! Of course, we're not just playing that, as there's a large catalog of online-compatible games on the DS and Wii to choose from. Won't you join us? It's very simple and you can find all of the info you need past the break.

Hope to see you there tonight!

Continue reading DS Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2]

DS Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2]

David Hinkle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Game Night

Continue reading Wii Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2]

Wii Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Metareview -- Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii)

Justin McElroy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Metareviews

Paradoxically, it's the cause of the absolute saddest thing on the internet, but Animal Crossing has also been a source of joy for millions. Judging from the tepid reviews, Animal Crossing: City Folk's biggest problem appears to be not that it's more of the same joy-inducing escapism, but rather that it is the same joy-inducing escapism.

1UP (C): "Somehow, despite two previous time-sucking outings into the open world of Animal Crossing -- each fully preparing me for what to expect in a sequel -- City Folk still rouses some excitement at the prospect of collecting more rare furniture, fossils, and that one elusive bug or fish. But all of this quickly subsides upon your introduction to Tom Nook, everyone's favorite predatory lender. That's when the realization quickly sets in: This is all just the same old routine with extra goodies that do little to change things in any meaningful way."
GameDaily (70/100): "Sadly, local co-op isn't an option, the graphics look last generation and we had little fun using the WiiSpeak microphone. If you're a fan of the series, you'll want to move into this City right away. Otherwise, pay a casual visit before you settle down."
Games Master UK (80/100): "It's still a great game but fans of the DS version are going to feel short-changed by the lack of imagination in this Wii retread. For everyone who missed out last time, or if you're keen to start such an epic afresh on the TV, this may well be the family game that sends Wii Sports into permanent retirement."

Metareview -- Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

More Club Nintendo goodies announced for Japan

Chris Greenhough — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: News, Fan stuff, Imports

While it prepares to wheel out Club Nintendo in North America later this year, Nintendo has decided to torture us one last time with stuff we can't have.

Every year in Japan, Platinum and Gold members in the Japanese program get a free gift. This year, Platinum members have three to choose from, including the snazzy golden Wii Wheel you see above. This takes us back to GoldenEye's multiplayer, and us petulantly refusing to play unless we could steer Oddjob with the only gold-colored N64 controller in the house. Also up for grabs is a Super Mario Cap, which Nintendo reports is too big for girls and schoolkids (but not adult male bloggers), and a Club Nintendo Calendar 2009, which will be the only option for Gold members. That's better than our only option, which is to own nothing.

All very lovely then, and all very out of our reach ... but for how long? Go past the break for a look at the cap and calendar.

Continue reading More Club Nintendo goodies announced for Japan

More Club Nintendo goodies announced for Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Your thoughts on Animal Crossing?

David Hinkle — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

We know we've kind of been focused on Animal Crossing a bit in the last week or so, but with the game having been available to you all, we're wondering how you're finding it so far. Have you been going crazy in the game, buying up tons of stuff for your house and running errands for Tom Nook? Have you paid off your house yet? Have you and some friends gotten together and fished or enjoyed some other communal activity? How has your time with Animal Crossing: City Folk been?

Wii Warm Up: Your thoughts on Animal Crossing? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Fanboy Review: Animal Crossing: City Folk

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews

Before we dive right into the review, there are a few things you should know. First of all, I was unable to test the game with the WiiSpeak peripheral. With Nintendo only sending us one bundle of the game, it was impossible for me to utilize the peripheral during my time with the game. With that in mind, also understand that our single press review copy meant that I was without individuals to enjoy the multiplayer side of the game. This is purely a review of my time with the single-player portion of the game Animal Crossing: City Folk.

So, head past the break and read about Nintendo's latest game in the Animal Crossing franchise.

Continue reading Wii Fanboy Review: Animal Crossing: City Folk

Wii Fanboy Review: Animal Crossing: City Folk originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Retail and download releases for the week of November 17th

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Virtual Console, WiiWare

Just as we all found out last week, today marks the release of the fourth episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. Oh, and we're also getting a bunch of other games. This week, seriously, has a lot of games. Head on past the break for the full list.

Also, our apologies. There likely won't be a VC Monday Madness video today, but we'll try to get it up as soon as we can. Sorry!

Continue reading Retail and download releases for the week of November 17th

Retail and download releases for the week of November 17th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Wii Plan to Speak

JC Fletcher — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

The WiiSpeak microphone is ten bucks cheaper when purchased with Animal Crossing: City Folk. Obviously, it works with Animal Crossing, but it will also work with The Conduit, with the new version of the Opera browser, and on its own via the Wii Speak Channel. Of course, more compatible games will follow. We hope.

It occurs to us that even people who like Animal Crossing, but don't necessarily care about catching up with their friends while fishing or shaking trees may have interest in the WiiSpeak mic for other stuff. Are you in that group? Did you pick up the Animal Crossing WiiSpeak bundle with no intention of using the two items together?

Wii Warm Up: Wii Plan to Speak originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Animal Songwriting

JC Fletcher — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

Okay, this one's for all the Animal Crossing nerds -- the people who dutifully ~~changed their system's date~~ played every Saturday night just for a new performance by an anthropomorphic dog with a MIDI voice. Of all the K.K. Slider jams you've caught at the train station or the coffee shop, which is your favorite?

We've embedded our pick, "K.K. Song", not because it's a great song, but because it's a weird piece of Nintendo history from K.K. Slider inspiration, Animal Crossing composer, and Wii Music director Kazumi Totaka. It's Saturday, so why not listen to some K.K. tunes?

Wii Warm Up: Animal Songwriting originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Iwata asks Development Folk about Animal Crossing

Chris Greenhough — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews

"Iwata Asks" articles are almost as old as the Wii itself, coinciding as they do with any notable first-party release, and the latest round of questioning stars four of the Animal Crossing: City Folk team: Aya Kyougoku (who forgot to wear her regulation beige Nintendo jacket for this), Ryuji Kobayashi, Isao Moro and Kou Nogami (not pictured here).

Most of the discussion focuses on fairly obscure minutiae. So Nogami discusses how WiiConnect24 allows for the exchange of village data without you knowing it, which means people can visit a friend's village while their Wii is off, as can NPCs from other villages, who may then spread rumors from their hometown. The team estimates the game's appeal becomes "two or three times" as great when played online, a statement we look forward to testing.

We're also told that City Folk will let players create "trails" on the landscape. Apparently, the ground in your village consists of a top layer of grass which slowly wears thin the more you walk on it. A little grass grows back at the end of each day, but if you walk over a certain area enough (say, from your house to Tom Nook's), a trail will begin to form. Kobayashi says that it takes about a fortnight before a faint path becomes visible, and Moro adds that a clear trail will have appeared after two months, but that grass grows back more speedily if surrounded by grass and trees. Nifty!

[Via andriasang.com]

Iwata asks Development Folk about Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments