The Golden Opportunity Animal Crossing Shouldn't Miss

Highlights

The next Animal Crossing game should consider adding a robust trading market to appeal to a wider audience and enhance gameplay.

Nookazon and similar fan-made platforms currently offer a remedy for the limited in-game trading choices. However, Nintendo has the potential to establish its own trading market with ease. Taking inspiration from successful examples like Stardew Valley and Mineko's Night Market, Nintendo can create a trading market that not only follows a proven blueprint but also has the potential to attract a larger player base.

With rumors swirling about the potential announcement of the next Animal Crossing game, Nintendo has the opportunity to capitalize on several exciting features. The rumored Switch 2 opens the door for a fresh direction while preserving the beloved elements from previous iterations. In particular, there is one key addition that Nintendo should incorporate into the upcoming game.

Given the tremendous success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it appears highly likely that a new installment will grace our screens in the future. However, in order to appeal to an even broader fanbase, Nintendo should look to draw inspiration from other studios, despite the franchise's reputation for delivering enchanting and immersive gameplay experiences.

Animal Crossing Needs a Robust Trading Market

Despite being released in 2001, the Animal Crossing series lacks a robust trading market even after twenty-two years. While players can trade items with villagers and NPCs in New Horizons, the options are limited and depend on the specific character. For example, Timmy and Tommy accept a wider range of items such as fossils, fish, and insects, while Leif the Sloth only accepts weeds, flowers, and plants.

Although the game allows trading of bells and Nook Miles tickets with other players, there is untapped potential for expanding these features. Currently, Nookazon, a fan-made website, serves as a solution to this issue by providing a platform for users to list and trade items easily. In 2020, the Washington Post reported that Nookazon boasted an impressive community with 270,000 active daily users, nine million listings, and over seven million daily visits. Despite the website's success, Nintendo could easily address this need by implementing an in-game trading market, eliminating the need for third-party platforms.

Games like Stardew Valley, Mineko's Night Market, and Ooblets offer players the ability to participate in market activities, although without the reliance on a community-based network. Despite being single-player games, Animal Crossing can still draw inspiration from these titles. Selling and buying items in designated areas such as shipping chests, stalls, and player-owned stores is a common feature in all three games.

An ideal example for Nintendo to consider implementing in its next game is the Japanese-inspired night market found in Mineko's Night Market. This market provides a perfect platform for players to showcase and sell their crafted or scavenged items, while also allowing them to browse and purchase from other non-playable characters. Additionally, players have the opportunity to negotiate prices with the villagers, similar to the mechanics seen in Ooblets. The only drawback of the night market is that it required unlocking through a quest and is exclusively open on Saturdays.

In a future version of Animal Crossing, the inclusion of stalls for conducting business can be advantageous. Additionally, offering the option to pay using Nook Miles or Bells would provide versatility. Capitalizing on the existing concept of negotiations within the trading market on Nookazon, users could engage in this aspect while making counteroffers until a mutual agreement is reached.

It is currently uncertain whether Nintendo is considering incorporating trading markets into the social simulation series. However, there are rumors suggesting that the next Animal Crossing installment is already in development and may be announced within the coming year. If stalls and markets are indeed introduced, Nintendo has the potential to attract a greater number of players to its thriving community.

Animal Crossing

The Animal Crossing franchise, exclusively available on Nintendo consoles, is a beloved life simulation series. Filled with charming anthropomorphic villagers, extensive customization options, and a real-time day cycle, the games offer players a unique and diverse gameplay experience.