Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been re-imagined by one fan as a Game Boy title, and the end result is unbelievably charming. The long-running Animal Crossing series got its start in North America nearly twenty years ago on the GameCube, so fans never got the chance to experience the game on the earlier handheld.
Though there has always been a dedicated audience for the series, Animal Crossing had not reached its full potential until Animal Crossing: New Horizons released on the Switch earlier this year. The latest installment enabled the player to build up a community on a tropical island paradise and included a limited multiplayer function. Dropping during a time when many were unable to travel or socialize in-person may have helped to spur the game on to unprecedented success, but the game’s many endearing qualities also helped capture new fans. The game netted record-breaking sales numbers not soon after it released and even began to outpace other Nintendo titles like Pokémon Sword & Shield in first week sales.
In an inspired piece of fan art, Reddit user Sunny-Bear turned the clock back on the Switch’s Animal Crossing title. The post transforms New Horizons’ town square into an 8-bit scene complete with the villager protagonist, Tom Nook, and Barold running in the background. Little details bring the entire piece together, like the calendar and clock in the bottom left and cross-shaped marks for fossils. The nostalgia-filled picture has many fans wishing the recent game could be brought back to the original Game Boy.
Though Animal Crossing: New Horizons will probably never get a real 8-bit makeover, there is a lot coming up for fans of the game to get excited about. The title has already introduced a series of updates to keep players engaged, even months after its initial launch. Swimming opened the oceans up to intrepid explorers in an early summer update, and not far behind was another content drop that let fans visit other islands in dreams. Next up, the tropical island will be getting a fall makeover and the changing of the season will bring new bugs, fish, and decor for fans to enjoy.
The Animal Crossing series really would have shined on the Game Boy, so it is fantastic to see this alternate reality – even if it is only through fan art. On the other hand, it is hard to tell what Nintendo will do next, especially right now. The gaming giant blindsided many of its fans recently with an out-of-the-blue Mario-themed direct to celebrate its 35th anniversary. The presentation revealed several exciting projects including Super Mario 3D All-Stars releasing this month. While it is still extremely unlikely Animal Crossing: New Horizons will get an official retro re-imagining, fans are free to hope.
Source: Sunny-Bear