Here we go again! The much loved video game Animal Crossing has returned. This is the latest release of the popular game previously released on the GameCube. Although the two games are very similar, this new Nintendo DS version has a few new features not seen on the GameCube. All of the main characters return along with some new ones that you will meet in your explorations around town. Not only are there a bunch if added features but Nintendo has added multiplayer gaming to the repertoire of the DS which allows you to play with friends across the world whether it be by wireless or online connection. So let’s just say there are plenty of friendly animals looking to interact with you; so don't be shy.

The game starts out relatively similar to the GameCube version in which you are new to town and need a place to live. After you have picked your gender, given yourself and your town a name you will need to find Tom Nook so that he can build you a house. Thankfully he does, but he charges you for it and you find yourself in big debt which is one of many you will have to payoff. Since you lack sufficient funds to repay Nook immediately, he employs you at his store, Nooks Cranny. However, he soon runs out of jobs for you and he sends you out on your way. So then you are free to roam the town and Nook allows you to payoff the debt as you go. This is where Animal Crossing game becomes the most enjoyable because you can pretty much do what ever you want.

One of the best things about Wild World is that there is never a lack of things for you to do. While working for Nook, you plant trees and flowers all around to bring up the overall "mojo" of your township. This can help keep your neighbors from moving, because they often leave when there are a lot of problems in the town. Maintaining your town may seem like a big job, but fortunately if you play often enough it shouldn't take more than five minutes. So after all your hard work it time to relax which you can do by going fishing, bug catching and you can also collect fruit and fossils which can be donated to the museum or kept for your personal gain. These activities are fun and they can help you pay off your debts if you sell some items in Nooks shop. Speaking of Nook’s Shop, that’s where you will find most of the game’s useful items like the shovel, net and axe that allow you to perform most of the game’s activities. Other cool things you can do is create your own clothes, hats and umbrellas. To do this just stop by the Able Sisters clothing store and they can give you a hand in the creation process. Plus, you can mail letters to all your friends in your town and you can receive letters from your mother and other various people and groups. If none of these activities seem interesting, you may want to avoid picking this game up because it plays a massive role in the game. It’s important to note that all of these elements can be controlled with the DS touch screen which allows for precise designs, something the GameCube could never do.



Another important aspect of this game is the upgrading of certain features. After you payoff your debt to Nook for building your house he will expand your house and make it bigger. This is where you receive another debt to pay off which is larger than the previous. This process will repeat until you have paid off the final debt on the final housing upgrade. When you first play the game, Tom Nook owns a small store called Nooks Cranny. If you continue to buy and sell there, his stores will be upgraded allowing for many new items to show up. This can happen up to three times and in each case the store improves drastically. Also you can donate any extra fossils, fish or bugs you have lying around to the museum because they will help fill up the exhibits.

Although this game is similar to the NGC version, it has new characters and new capabilities that are DS exclusives. Some new characters joining the cast of Blathers, Polly, Nook, Tortimer and the Able Sisters are Brewster the Bartender, Celeste the owl in charge of the Observatory and Booker and Copper the gatekeepers. One new capability is the ability to create your own constellations in the sky. The telescope in the Observatory allows you to see yours and other constellations in the starry night. Another capability of Wild World is multiplayer gaming. If you would like to play with a friend who is within thirty feet of you then you can use the DS to DS connection. Both of you will be able to take turns visiting each others town. If you want to play with friends far away then you need to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. You must have a wireless router or a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, while owning a high speed internet connection. With this game mode you can play with people all over the world as long as you both have each others friend code. It feels limited at first, but Nintendo’s intent was to make the experience as safe and fun as possible.

A big problem nowadays with video games is that most games do not have enough content to make the game a worthy purchase. However, with Animal Crossing: Wild World, it’s simply not the case. Thanks to all the debts you have to pay to Tom Nook, upgrading and paying off your house can take a couple months depending on how often you play. There are also tons upon tons of collectible items. There are over six hundred different and unique items that you can fill your increasingly growing house with. Not to mention, there are plenty of fossils, fish and bugs that can to be donated in the museum. This is made more challenging because certain bugs and fish only appear at certain times during the games real time clock schedule. Even special events (including seasons) and holidays pop up at only specific times. Overall this is a game that never has a lack of tasks and goals for you to tackle.



One weak point of Wild World can be its sound features, but this really depends on you. For those of you who have played before, you already know that every character speaks their own version of gibberish. This can be very frustrating because if you are playing for hours at a time it can be repetitive and extremely annoying. Also the tunes played in the game are catchy, but they also become repetitive and sometimes it can be (for some people) more enjoyable to play with the sound off. Most of the world is filled with sounds like bees, doors, and of course, even walking.

he graphics of Wild World are a neutral factor when it comes to game play but they are still important to those of us who pay good money for games. Although the graphics in this game resemble the previous version, they are expectedly not as sharp as the graphics present on the GameCube. However, since the system is wireless, handheld and small, what we have here is as colorful and visually appealing as we need it to be.

Overall this game is perfect for those looking to create their own simulated lifestyle. With all the characters, items and features it can be very time consuming and enjoyable. Some teenagers may not find this game attracting because it could be considered childish. But that is not the case; it is more of a simple thrill seeking game. You can upgrade aspects of your town, create the ultimate house with hundreds of items and can share the experience with friends by utilizing the online capabilities offered. I strongly suggest that those of you who own a DS and do not have the game should definitely pick it up at some point. Those of you, who don't own a DS, might consider looking into one just to play this game because more than anything, it is a fun and open ended gaming experience.