Nintendo Animal Crossing City Folk for the Wii -- a Preview

When I got my Nintendo DS a few years ago, one of the games I desparately wanted was Animal Crossing: Wild World. The game is a bit like a self contained Sims starring animals instead of people. You create an avatar, buy a house (for which you have to pay a mortgage), do small jobs to earn money, and interact with the various animals that move in and out of your little world. As you interact with the characters in the game, you discover each has their own personality, ego, dreams, and personal dramas that influence their interactions with you and others. The game system's internal clock keeps your Animal Crossing world in tune with the real world, changing the weather and scenery based on the time of the year, and even having special celebrations during the holidays.

My then 5 year-old daughter started watching over my shoulder as I played, and we both became addicted to the lives of our little friends within the game. So much so that eventually my daughter stole the game from me.

It has been three years since Nintendo released Animal Crossing: Wild World, and my daughter and I anxiously awaited a sequel. On November 16th, we get our wish, when Animal Crossing: City Folk is released for the Wii.

The gameplay is mostly unchanged, as you again build up your character from a new visitor to the town to a happy resident, buying a new house, paying a mortgage, doing odd jobs for shopowner Tom Nook, and decorating your house and character with items you find, trade, and buy all over town.

So what is new in Animal Crossing: City Folk?

The WiiSpeak Microphone And USB Keyboard Support

This USB attachment for the Wii (included in the game) is placed above the Wii's sensor bar and is able to pick up coversations in the room so you can talk to friends who visit your town via the Internet. USB Keyboards will also be supported, making it easier to type in messages.

The Mii Makeover

You spent hours and hours (or like me, five minutes) building the perfect Mii to represent yourself on the Wii. If you want to look just like your fictional self in Animal Crossing, just go to the Shampoodle salon and get yourself a makeover to look just like your Mii.

The City

In Animal Crossing: Wild World, you were limited to visiting your small fictional rural town. In Animal Crossing: City Folk, you simply hop on a bus and zip your way to the City, where you can find a number of shops and things to do, including the above mentioned Shampoodle salon, an animal to shine your shoes (and change their colors), an auction house (where unwanted items can be bought and sold), and much, much more.

Importing your Character and Items from Animal Crossing: Wild World

The game will allow you to import your characters from the DS version of the game, as well as the items you've acquired, although you'll have to pay to get those items back in the new game.

Game Details

Release date: November 16, 2008

Company: Nintendo of America

Rating: E - Everyone

Players -- 1 to 4

Price: $49.99 (Game) , $69.99 (Game and WiiSpeak bundled)