Dinkum's Unbeatable Feature That Will Transform Animal Crossing!

In order to further expand the Animal Crossing series, especially after the success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, studying the indie games that have been inspired by the series could prove beneficial. Many indie titles in the life-simulation genre have successfully built upon the mechanics introduced by Animal Crossing, and it is time for Nintendo to take note and incorporate these ideas into their own franchise. One strategy the next Animal Crossing successor could adopt is taking inspiration from Dinkum, an indie game set in the Australian outback that combines town-building aspects from Animal Crossing with farming and crafting elements similar to Stardew Valley or My Time at Portia. Dinkum particularly excels in its mining mechanics, which allow players to gather abundant resources from an underground mine. Considering the prevalence of mining systems in many indie games of this genre, it would be a logical progression for the next Animal Crossing installment to introduce its own unique take on this mechanic.

Animal Crossing Already Has the Perfect Basis for a Mining Mechanic

The Animal Crossing series has not explored the concept of mining for resources extensively, but it presents various elements that could be enhanced to create a more comprehensive mining system. In previous titles, players could search for fossils in the ground or hit rocks with a shovel to potentially acquire gems or Bells. However, Animal Crossing: New Horizons introduced a crafting system that expanded upon this mechanic, allowing players to obtain materials such as iron, clay, stone, and gold nuggets from rocks. The next installment in the series could build upon this idea.

Instead of limiting resource gathering to surface-level rocks, the next Animal Crossing game should incorporate the ability to venture underground and provide players with mining tools. This underground mining feature could function similarly to popular games like Dinkum and Stardew Valley, where greater rewards await those who explore deeper into the mine, but with increased risks such as encounters with Animal Crossing's infamous Tarantulas and Scorpions. Considering the likelihood of the next Animal Crossing title expanding on the crafting system introduced in New Horizons, it will be essential to ensure a wider availability of resources in larger quantities. Allowing players to mine for minerals would be a valuable solution to this issue.

Animal Crossing already has the ideal mascot, Mr. Resetti, who has been underutilized in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. In the past, Mr. Resetti would scold players who didn't save their game properly. However, with the new autosave feature, he now works for Nook Inc.'s Rescue Service, helping players who are stuck to avoid game issues.

Considering Mr. Resetti's limited appearance in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it would be great to give this beloved character a new role as the leader of a mining operation. This would not only allow him more screen time but also tie in naturally with this game mechanic. With a strong foundation already in place for this feature, it seems highly probable that the next Animal Crossing game will include a comprehensive mining system for crafting resources. This addition would elevate the franchise to new heights and create a connection between Animal Crossing and indie games like Dinkum.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available for Nintendo Switch.