Animal Crossing's Next Evolution on the Switch: Prepare for a Game-Changing Experience!

Highlights

The rumored Nintendo Switch 2 could potentially include technological improvements that could upgrade the hardware and take the Animal Crossing series to the next level.

The upcoming Animal Crossing game on the Switch 2 could potentially be the first in the series to be an MMO, depending on the capabilities of the new console. Even if it doesn't become a complete MMO, the Switch 2 has the potential to incorporate MMO-like features into the Animal Crossing series, offering enhanced multiplayer gameplay and social interactions.

Amidst increasing rumors about the successor to the Nintendo Switch, there is much speculation about the potential titles that could launch alongside the system. One highly anticipated possibility is a sequel to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Rumors suggest that the Switch 2 will come with various technological enhancements, including NVIDIA's DLSS 3.5 AI-powered Ray Reconstruction. This upgrade indicates that Nintendo is making serious improvements to the hardware of their next console. If these reports are accurate, the Switch 2 could elevate the Animal Crossing series to new heights, particularly in terms of multiplayer features and online connectivity.

While Animal Crossing: New Horizons achieved immense success and attracted a vast audience of new players, many long-time fans voiced their fair share of criticisms. One significant drawback was the limited and convoluted access to multiplayer features and online connectivity in the game. Given the triumph of New Horizons, it is highly likely that the Switch 2 will receive a new Animal Crossing installment. Depending on the capabilities of Nintendo's next console, this upcoming entry could potentially be the series' first massively multiplayer online (MMO) game.

What an Animal Crossing MMO Could Look Like on the Switch 2

Nintendo's online multiplayer services have traditionally lacked in quality, but they have made significant improvements throughout the lifespan of the Switch. If the rumors surrounding the increased power of the Switch 2 are accurate, this positions the console perfectly for supporting a MMO similar to Final Fantasy 14 on the PlayStation 4 and 5. The Animal Crossing franchise lends itself perfectly as a foundation for an MMO, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons setting the stage for a highly successful Animal Crossing MMO on the successor to the Switch.

Taking inspiration from games like Rust and Fallout 76, an Animal Crossing MMO could allow players to independently build their own towns on the same server. For this type of game, an open world environment would likely be necessary to accommodate multiple players building on the same server. To maintain performance and prevent griefing, towns would likely need to be separated by loading screens. Despite this design, an Animal Crossing MMO provides the series with an exceptionally robust multiplayer experience and transforms Animal Crossing into a truly social experience.

The potential of the Switch 2 goes beyond being a full-blown MMO. It opens up the opportunity for the next Animal Crossing game to incorporate MMO-like elements, drawing inspiration from games like Diablo 4. Instead of sharing a server with other players while building their towns, the game could allow players to encounter others while exploring the world and give them the option to form connections for town visits or cooperative play, akin to Palia. Additionally, the game could introduce an in-game item trading system, similar to the popular Nookazon app in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Considering the growth of the Animal Crossing series in recent years, it is only natural for it to explore the MMO genre. While Animal Crossing: New Horizons laid the foundation for enhanced online play, the series has yet to fully realize its potential. As Nintendo's quintessential life simulation franchise, Animal Crossing is perfectly positioned to embrace the features of MMO and MMO-like games with its next installment, and the Switch 2 could provide the ideal platform for this evolution.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now for Nintendo Switch.