This might not be the most useful of threads but since I started playing New Leaf about three weeks ago, I've wanted to express my love for the series and none of my friends have any interest in the game. (besides probably thinking it's strange that someone my age--29--would like it)
I first discovered the series ten years ago when I finally made the decision to buy a 'Freeloader' boot disc that allowed me to play non PAL games on my Gamecube and pay the high price to import the original Animal Crossing from the U.S. to the UK. I'd heard American gamers talk fondly about this new series that was difficult to describe but impossible not to love and I convinced myself, after waiting and waiting, that Nintendo would never release a European version. It was expensive but it was obviously worth every penny.
Back then online gaming for consoles was still in its infancy and so the extra interaction was supposed to come from other human villagers which meant friends playing the game on your console either in your town or in their own, which you could visit. As a 19 year old, even my more open minded Nintendo loving friends seemed almost repulsed by the game's childlike nature and feel, and were embarrassed on my behalf!
Fortunately, my then 9 year old nephew took a liking to the game (despite previously bashing Nintendo for being "for kids" and way too childish for his mature 9yo tastes) and bought a house in my town, allowing me to get a little taste of the sort of multiplayer side of the game I'd been missing out on for the first few months. To my surprise, he really enjoyed doing things I didn't care about like writing letters and buying/receiving stationary so it was great to have someone to exchange items with and to give gifts to. I loved Animal Crossing but as I want to explain, I love it so much more now that I'm ten years older.
Fast forward about 7 years, I come across a YouTube video of someone playing the game and the nostalgia overwhelms me. The comments section (usually a pretty ugly place) was full of people sharing memories and talking about their favourite villagers, music, etc. I don't know why I didn't buy the latest Animal Crossing game there and then but it wasn't until I got around to buying a 3DS and spotting a second hand copy of New Leaf in a local shop that I decided to revisit the series.
Just like the story of the prodigal son returning home, getting to know the game all over again was even sweeter the second time! I never played Animal Crossing as a child but it feels to me like perpetual childhood and every time I open up my 3DS it's like a portal into innocence - it never fails to leave me feeling warm and fuzzy. If I'm happy, it makes me smile and if I'm depressed, well, it's comforting like literally no other game I've seen or heard of. This is why I felt compelled to talk about my love for AC, its world is such a pleasant haven that I really think Nintendo have done something special that shines all the brighter for being in the rough company of grim, gritty, games about violence.
What I'm trying to say in this lengthy story is that the harshness of the world we live in makes Animal Crossing the perfect escape. In that way, it's suited as perfectly to adults as it is children - we're all children in Animal Crossing's world, after all.
Thanks for reading. Warm fuzzies for all! so fuzzy...
I first discovered the series ten years ago when I finally made the decision to buy a 'Freeloader' boot disc that allowed me to play non PAL games on my Gamecube and pay the high price to import the original Animal Crossing from the U.S. to the UK. I'd heard American gamers talk fondly about this new series that was difficult to describe but impossible not to love and I convinced myself, after waiting and waiting, that Nintendo would never release a European version. It was expensive but it was obviously worth every penny.
Back then online gaming for consoles was still in its infancy and so the extra interaction was supposed to come from other human villagers which meant friends playing the game on your console either in your town or in their own, which you could visit. As a 19 year old, even my more open minded Nintendo loving friends seemed almost repulsed by the game's childlike nature and feel, and were embarrassed on my behalf!
Fortunately, my then 9 year old nephew took a liking to the game (despite previously bashing Nintendo for being "for kids" and way too childish for his mature 9yo tastes) and bought a house in my town, allowing me to get a little taste of the sort of multiplayer side of the game I'd been missing out on for the first few months. To my surprise, he really enjoyed doing things I didn't care about like writing letters and buying/receiving stationary so it was great to have someone to exchange items with and to give gifts to. I loved Animal Crossing but as I want to explain, I love it so much more now that I'm ten years older.
Fast forward about 7 years, I come across a YouTube video of someone playing the game and the nostalgia overwhelms me. The comments section (usually a pretty ugly place) was full of people sharing memories and talking about their favourite villagers, music, etc. I don't know why I didn't buy the latest Animal Crossing game there and then but it wasn't until I got around to buying a 3DS and spotting a second hand copy of New Leaf in a local shop that I decided to revisit the series.
Just like the story of the prodigal son returning home, getting to know the game all over again was even sweeter the second time! I never played Animal Crossing as a child but it feels to me like perpetual childhood and every time I open up my 3DS it's like a portal into innocence - it never fails to leave me feeling warm and fuzzy. If I'm happy, it makes me smile and if I'm depressed, well, it's comforting like literally no other game I've seen or heard of. This is why I felt compelled to talk about my love for AC, its world is such a pleasant haven that I really think Nintendo have done something special that shines all the brighter for being in the rough company of grim, gritty, games about violence.
What I'm trying to say in this lengthy story is that the harshness of the world we live in makes Animal Crossing the perfect escape. In that way, it's suited as perfectly to adults as it is children - we're all children in Animal Crossing's world, after all.
Thanks for reading. Warm fuzzies for all! so fuzzy...
