In a series known for the many connections players build with cute animal neighbors, Timmy and Tommy Nook have managed to find a way to stand out to Animal Crossing fans. The two were first seen when players managed to fully upgrade Nook's Cranny into Nookington's, where Timmy and Tommy help out their uncle by managing the top floor by themselves. Over the course of the series, the two little raccoons have grown into bigger roles, just like the majority of the other special characters found in Animal Crossing. Rather impressively, they've gone from simply helping their uncle to taking over his entire shopping enterprise. Whether it's because of their longstanding job as shopkeepers or because they're identical, it's easy to write Timmy and Tommy off by seeing them as a two-for-one character. However, Animal Crossing has actually taken great strides to separate them in subtle ways, and for their birthday, it's worth celebrating that.

Timmy and Tommy Have Always Been Their Own People if Animal Crossing Players Know Where to Look

Timmy and Tommy, both born on June 7, might not be the most memorable twins in pop culture, but the amount of detail that's gone into their creation makes them more than just raccoon doubles of each other, and it deserves a bit more recognition. The differences between them range from their easy-to-spot voice pitch when speaking animalese, to giving them work schedules that the games abide by regularly. It could have been easy to make the twins swap places at random every time they appeared for the player, but instead, there's a lot of thought that goes into treating them as individuals in their own right.

In terms of Animal Crossing lore, Tom Nook has stated that one way to tell them apart is by a distinct mole on one of their paws. The two also have unique costumes for Halloween and Festivale, and New Horizons even goes far enough to give them near permanent places to stand, with Timmy usually on the right and Tommy on the left. Tommy often holds a flag at the start of the Switch entry, making it easier for newer players to quickly tell them apart. Though it's true that most fans will be more interested in buying from them than keeping track of which one they're speaking to, the series has been determined to keep track of who goes where despite the fact that it isn't something most players will catch.

How Animal Crossing Can Make Timmy and Tommy More Important Going Forward

animal crossing new horizons tommy turnips
animal crossing new horizons tommy turnips

The two little raccoons have definitely grown in importance compared to their first appearance as helpers at Nookington's. Not only that, but their uncle Tom Nook now runs Nook Inc., a real estate company that helps with things like the Deserted Island Getaway Package. Due to their family's growing status, there will be plenty of chances for Timmy and Tommy to take after their uncle more and add depth to their character arcs in future dialogue.

While Animal Crossing restricts players from really bonding with its NPC characters, fans can still get to know them through situations like Sable's slow-growing trust and similar conversations. Now that the twins have more of an active role, they could start talking to players about their lives and showing who they really are outside of Nook's Cranny. Timmy and Tommy might be their own people, despite what the game encourages players to believe, but fans don't really know what they like and dislike outside of work - something Nintendo can chance with the next game.

Given all the status quo changes Animal Crossing has slowly introduced between games, giving Timmy and Tommy a greater focus would feel like a natural step forward. All sorts of special characters players get to meet have tons of fun facts about them scattered around the series, but the Nook twins are lacking in this department. Despite this, there has been a lot of care taken to make them stand apart, so striving to make them into icons just like Tom Nook wouldn't be all that surprising. It's only a matter of time before Animal Crossing finds its way to the Switch 2, and once it does, maybe the birthday boys will have their chance to shine.

Animal Crossing New Horizons Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Simulation
Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo
Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
Released
March 20, 2020
ESRB
Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
Developer(s)
Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
Havok
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
Expansions
Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
Simulation
Animal Crossing: New Horizons