It has been over five years since the last Animal Crossing game was released, and we still have no official word on when the next installment will be coming. That said, recent rumors have suggested that we could see a new game in the series much sooner than one would expect, given that we haven’t gotten so much as a teaser for it. Of course, this wouldn’t be the first surprising Nintendo announcement this year, so the rumors could be true. That said, I’m not sure an earlier release for Animal Crossing is the best possible option.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons came out in 2020, so many players are likely ready for a new installment of the series. Unless you design custom islands, you’ve probably done just about everything the game has to offer by now. As the game came out near the start of COVID-19 lockdowns, many players also likely had more time to sink into the game since there was little else to do. This would mean running out of content faster than usual, making a new game seem attractive. Still, I wouldn’t mind waiting maybe another year or so.
Animal Crossing Could Be Coming In 2026
Rumors Suggest That An Animal Crossing Game Will Come Out Next Year
Rumors of a 2026 Animal Crossing release came from YouTube creator Wood Hawker, who claims an unnamed source told him that there would be a July Nintendo Direct, during which a new Animal Crossing game would be announced for the Nintendo Switch 2. Hawker also claimed the same Nintendo Direct would announce games like Metaphor: ReFantazio and The Witcher 3 for the Switch 2, as well as a release date for Metroid Prime 4.
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Some Animal Crossing Fans Feel Abandoned After Switch 2 Direct, While Others Aren’t Surprised
Nintendo hasn’t revealed any future plans for the popular Animal Crossing franchise despite emphasizing many first-party games during Switch 2 Direct.
Although it isn’t uncommon for potential leakers to stay anonymous, since any actual insider could get in trouble for revealing upcoming announcements early, it’s also worth questioning any information coming from unknown sources. Hawker himself also cast doubt on the rumors, so I’m not inclined to put much stock in them at this point. That said, even if the rumors of a new Animal Crossing coming next year are true, that may not be a good thing.
A 2026 Release Might Precede An Even Longer Wait
Animal Crossing Games Usually Only Come Out Once Per Console
At this point, it seems like Animal Crossing is the type of Nintendo franchise we can only expect once per console generation, similar to games like Super Smash Bros. or Mario Kart. So, if we really do get an Animal Crossing game next year, we would likely have to wait even longer before the next installment than we’ve already waited for this one. After all, the original Switch’s lifespan was eight years, and if the Switch 2 follows suit, that would mean at the very least seven years between Animal Crossing games.
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Why A New Animal Crossing Game Announcement Is Looking More & More Likely, Despite Total Silence From Nintendo
Fans of Animal Crossing are awaiting the next installment. New Horizons had an eight-year gap from New Leaf, but the next game might come out sooner.
Now, it is sort of a dilemma, and I can see arguments for both sides. Waiting longer for a new Animal Crossing would simply shift the long wait from the next installment to this one, meaning we’d still get a seven- or eight-year wait, without the benefit of at least having a game to play sooner. Still, that immediate gratification may just lead to worse disappointment down the line.
It’s also worth noting that the Nintendo console after the Switch 2 may be a more exciting innovation than this console generation was. The Switch 2 is a nice upgrade from the original, but it is far from the unique style of console I’ve come to expect from Nintendo. It would be a shame to have to wait longer for a new exciting Animal Crossing down the line, simply to get a likely similar one earlier. Of course, this wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for Nintendo’s frustrating adherence to their once-per-generation rule.
Animal Crossing May Never Come Often Again
Hybrid Consoles Mean Less Animal Crossing
When Nintendo used to have both handheld and home consoles, the wait between Animal Crossing games wasn’t so bad. When the series was released on both types of consoles, the longest gap between games was about four years. However, since Nintendo has transitioned to focusing on hybrid consoles, releasing only a single Animal Crossing per-system now means a longer wait.
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When The Next Animal Crossing Game Is Rumored To Release
Animal Crossing’s next installment may launch with the Nintendo Switch 2 and feature multiplayer cities, cars, and new adventure missions.
I’m not sure why Nintendo seems to arbitrarily restrict the number of games in a given series that can come out on the same console. I understand not wanting to release low-quality installments of tent-pole franchises like Animal Crossing, but earlier installments of the franchise proved that we could still get quality games with a shorter turnaround. If we really do get a release next year, I hope Nintendo reconsiders this release strategy.
