The Nintendo Switch 2 arrives next month, and while Nintendo is busy marketing its new GameChat feature and Mario Kart World being $80, there has been complete radio silence when it comes to their beloved life simulation game, Animal Crossing.
With the world feeling bleaker by the day, we need more Animal Crossing. Seriously. The arrival of the Switch 2 is the perfect moment to drop a new title into the mix, and if Nintendo does, it’ll sell like hotcakes.
We basically know nothing about the next Animal Crossing, but that won’t stop us from speculating. With upgraded hardware on the horizon, here’s my personal wishlist of features I’d love to see in the next entry:
Massive Walkable Cities
Imagine an Animal Crossing game with an MMO-style hub where everyone can gather and hang out. This has been on my wishlist forever. I’d love to walk around a large, communal city, separate from my personal island, and meet people in real time, trade items, chat, or just vibe together.
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+ 4Yeah, it’s ambitious. But if Nintendo can pull it off, that alone might be enough to get me to buy a Switch 2. With stronger hardware, this shouldn’t be out of reach. If Cyberpunk 2077 can run on the Switch 2, this certainly can.
Better Villager AI
Some of the best Animal Crossing moments come from interacting with villagers. But in New Horizons, my relationships with Melba and Zucker, my lifelong neighbors, started to feel... stale. They didn't really do anything.
click to enlarge + 4I'd love to see more autonomy. Let villagers decorate their homes, set up events, or act like they live their own lives. And while we’re at it? Let them be a little mean again. Bring back the sass. It gave the game personality.
Minigames
One of New Horizons’ biggest criticisms was the lack of minigames. New Horizons felt a bit empty compared to New Leaf, which had charming little puzzles and diversions.
click to enlarge + 4A simple board game with Brewster, or an arcade machine outside Nook’s office? That would’ve gone a long way. The next game should include light, non-intrusive minigames to pass the time. They don’t need to be huge, just something that makes the world feel more playful.
Better Online Architecture
Online play has never been Animal Crossing’s strong suit. Even in New Horizons, the peer-to-peer connection model meant painfully long wait times every time someone joined or left. It’s clunky, and that’s not what you want in a game built around comfort and cozy vibes.
A proper server-based structure would change everything. Returning to my earlier wish for a central hub city, seamless online interaction would make the experience feel alive, modern, and better overall.
click to enlarge + 4There’s probably a new Animal Crossing in development, but for now, all we can do is wait. It’s one of Nintendo’s best-selling franchises for a reason. If they’re not planning to do something bold or different this time around… then honestly, what are we even doing here?
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