Animal Crossing on Nintendo DS - What Makes it Great?

If you've ever wanted to design and live an alternate life, the Nintendo game Animal Crossing may be just what you've been looking for. Animal Crossing is a community and life simulation game. It is open ended, so it is not competitive and there is no winner. The enjoyment comes from creating your own world, exploring and interacting with your animal neighbours.

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Versions

There are a number of different versions of the Animal Crossing game, including one in which the player becomes Mayor of the town, as well as games set in the country and another in the city. In all incarnations of the game, the player takes on the form of the only human in a village of anthropomorphised animal characters. You get to choose both a sex and a name for your character and to all intents and purposes, you are the master of your Animal Crossing Universe. 

Platforms

The game is available on all versions of Nintendo devices including the Wii, DS and 3DS. The most recent 3DS hand held offers a larger screen on which to enjoy the games and I have been looking at how I could sell my old Nintendo 3DS with a view to upgrading my device so I can enjoy it in even brighter colour. There are a number of online companies offering this service as well as some high street stores. The age and condition of the device you have to sell will dictate how much you get so it makes sense to look after your devices and games as these can help to fund your upgrades when the time comes.

One of the most intriguing things about Animal Crossing is the fact that it happens in real time. With use of the internal clock on your device, day and night happen in time with the real world. It recognises seasons and in some cases, annual events and holidays. Plants and trees grow and flower in line with the changing seasons, adding a certain level of verisimilitude.

Customisation

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the game is the level of customisation which is possible. This is the same across the different games. As well as being in completely control of your character's appearance you are in complete control of your surroundings too. You choose the style of your house, can redecorate at will and purchase furniture from the local store.

The currency in the world of Animal Crossing is Bells and you can buy and sell items from Tom Nook's store. Strolling around your Animal Crossing world you will come across various items such as sea shells and fruit which you can pick from the trees. These items can be sold in the store in order to raise Bells.

There is room for up to four human players in any village or city allowing the game to be shared. However, they cannot interact directly. You can communicate with your fellow players by leaving messages at the local post office or on the bulletin board.Animal Crossing is a great game, allowing you to forget the worries of the real world, if only for a short while.

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