Nintendo Could Boost Animal Crossing with PlayStation-Inspired New Game Plus

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Nintendo typically avoids hastily following other companies’ lead and instead emphasizes uniqueness in its consoles and games. Unlike businesses such as Microsoft or Sony, it focuses on family-friendly entertainment, which often contributes to its success. However, observing competitors like PlayStation from time to time might be advantageous for Nintendo, particularly when discussing one of its highly anticipated upcoming game titles that has yet to be unveiled.

Fans of Nintendo are eagerly anticipating the upcoming sequel to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”, with hopes for enhanced features to enhance gameplay. In terms of the next installment in the series, it could be advantageous for Nintendo to learn from PlayStation’s approach – particularly their successful implementation of New Game Plus (NG+) modes in their titles.

Over the last several years, NG+ modes have become a common feature in PlayStation exclusive games. Titles such as “God of War Ragnarök”, “Horizon Forbidden West”, and “Ghost of Tsushima” have added NG+ features after release, enabling players to replay the game with retained items, improved stats, and fresh challenges without starting over or losing progress. This system enhances the value of single-player games without the need for multiple save files. For a game like “Animal Crossing”, which is known as one save per console, implementing a similar approach could be just the innovative twist required for its future installments.

A Persistent Problem in Animal Crossing

One common complaint players had about “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was its inflexible save system. Each Nintendo Switch console could only host one island, and there wasn’t any official method or platform for creating multiple save files from a single system. Although this fostered a feeling of permanence, it also stifled creativity as once an island was developed and adorned, players had minimal incentive to begin anew—unless “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” players were prepared to erase numerous hours of progress and collected items.

In a game where imagination is key, it seemed illogical to impose such constraints. Many fans yearned for the chance to revisit the early stages of island living, to relive the thrill of waking up in a tent, anticipating the day filled with resource gathering using primitive tools. However, starting anew meant forfeiting all furnishings, DIY blueprints, and advancements – a sacrifice most were hesitant to make. Coming up with innovative workarounds for the save file issue in Animal Crossing would ensure the fanbase awakens from its slumber more vibrant than ever.

What an Animal Crossing NG+ Could Look Like

Nintendo doesn’t have to create something entirely new to address this issue. A mode similar to New Game Plus, added after the game’s release, could provide a graceful solution for the reset problem in Animal Crossing. This would allow players to start a fresh island while keeping certain items like cataloged furniture, collected DIY recipes, or accumulated Bells stored in the bank. Players could begin anew with more freedom to decorate from day one, or rapidly populate their growing towns or islands.

This feature wouldn’t only captivate long-term enthusiasts. An NG+ mode could inspire repeat play for casual gamers, enabling them to create themed Animal Crossing islands and seasonal transformations. It would also provide fresh starts without significant setbacks to prevent exhaustion, while mirroring the trend in modern games that reward repeat players with more choices rather than additional challenges.

New Game Plus Isn’t Unknown to Nintendo

In “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” players could reshape their islands using the provided terraforming tools, essentially creating a fresh canvas without erasing the save data. However, this process was far from perfect. Trees had to be cut down, paths needed to be manually deleted, and buildings had to be moved one at a time, which was costly in both time and effort. This method was laborious and lengthy, contrary to the casual, relaxing gameplay that “Animal Crossing” is famous for. It’s high time that “Animal Crossing” received the upgrades other games have previously benefited from, even those developed by Nintendo.

Nintendo has experimented with second chances previously. The NG+ feature enabled players to control Luigi in Super Mario Galaxy after defeating the final boss for the first time. If they can recreate that magic from a decade ago for a popular game, they could certainly do it again with a franchise that needs an update. An integrated NG+ mode for Animal Crossing could replace the current workaround with something smoother and more rewarding. Given the increasing competition in the life-sim genre, with games like InZOI and Paralives emerging, it would be beneficial for Nintendo to make the systems of Animal Crossing more adaptable and forward-thinking.

The Timing Has Never Been Better for Animal Crossing

With the upcoming release of Switch 2, Nintendo finds itself at an ideal moment to advance its future installment in the “Animal Crossing” series. The unprecedented popularity of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” fueled by the pandemic, demonstrates the vast and diverse nature of its player base. This new generation of players craves depth, diversity, and above all, choices.

Taking inspiration from New Game+ systems used by Animal Crossing’s PlayStation competitors doesn’t necessitate that the game loses its unique character. Instead, it opens up new avenues for creativity while honoring the time and effort players have invested in their virtual islands. The unanticipated influence of PlayStation’s design might signal a groundbreaking transition for the Animal Crossing series into next-generation gaming. A fresh start shouldn’t mean discarding the old one. If PlayStation can make New Game+ feel like a well-earned reward, there’s no reason why Animal Crossing can’t follow suit—in its charming way, of course.

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2025-05-17 16:05