The Switch 2 could be kicked off with My Time at Evershine, alongside a number of proprietary Nintendo titles, presumably. But while developers are already revealing which games will come to Switch successor, Nintendo itself remains tight-lipped about the console, likely saving the juiciest bits of information for an official, flashy reveal.
Aspects of hardware, including performance and portability, are front-of-mind for many prospective Switch 2 owners, but they come second place to a more existential issue: the games themselves. Nintendo’s suite of first-party IP has regularly provided the most value on its flagship consoles, and most Switch owners bought the system to play games like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, rather than the third-party games that usually play better elsewhere. Thus, with My Time at Evershine confirmed for a Switch 2 release, Nintendo should be a bit more bullish with respect to one key franchise.
The Next Animal Crossing Should Avoid Ending With a Whimper Instead of a Bang Like New Horizons
No new title for Animal Crossing has been confirmed yet, but as fans eagerly await an announcement, Nintendo should ensure it ends on a high note.
Games Like My Time at Evershine Shouldn’t Monopolize the Switch 2’s Cozy Game Market
The Next Animal Crossing Should Probably Come Sooner Rather Than Later
It's no surprise that the Switch has been the home for countless so-called "cozy" games, being the preferred platform for many players when it comes to titles like Stardew Valley, Disney Dreamlight Valley, and, of course, Animal Crossing. Whatever Nintendo chooses to do with the next Animal Crossing game, it should be sure to put the series front-and-center on the Switch 2, especially when the spotlight seems to be shining on the likes of Evershine as the console gets closer to release.
This doesn't necessarily mean that the next Animal Crossing needs to be a Switch launch title—New Horizons certainly wasn't—but giving it priority in Nintendo's first-party lineup may be a good strategic move. The cozy genre is picking up steam thanks to developers like ConcernedApe who innovate within the space, and while Nintendo played a major role in popularizing low-stakes, slice-of-life gameplay with the likes of Animal Crossing, it's no longer at the top of the pack. It may never be again, especially as indie studios push forward in this specific market, but the Animal Crossing franchise should remain competitive, not letting players forget why it garnered so much attention in the first place.
Animal Crossing Should Take Full Advantage of the Switch 2's Hardware
Based on the My Time at Evershine reveal, it looks like developer Pathea is making some noticeable strides in terms of visual fidelity and scope, even if it's still a far cry from the lifelike graphics of many AAA games. Beyond pure graphical prowess, Evershine could make the most of new hardware by getting more ambitious with its settlement-building mechanics and environment design, for instance, letting players engage with more in-game elements at once thanks to increased processing power. Animal Crossing should be similarly ambitious on the new system.
Though it's still shrouded in mystery, rumors have emerged about the next Animal Crossing taking place in an urban setting, which could mean leveraging the Switch 2's power to great effect. Simple, cartoonish graphics will, and probably should, be here to stay, but a more capable console could mean denser environments, packed with more NPCs, buildings, and random events befitting of a game taking place in a city. The franchise may be best known for its quaint world-building, and maybe an urban setting would undermine this, but this change in approach coupled with a new console could lead to a much more dynamic and multifaceted gaming experience, which Nintendo hopefully won't shy away from.
Animal Crossing is one of Nintendo's most influential and unique franchises, and it has a real chance to shine on the Switch 2. There's virtually no chance of it being usurped by something like My Time at Evershine, but with these early days of Switch 2 anticipation being characterized by Evershine's recent reveal, Nintendo should be swift in responding with its own cozy contender.
- Developer(s)
- Pathea Games
- Publisher(s)
- Pathea Games
WHERE TO PLAY
A high-quality sandbox simulation RPG. Embark on a grand cozy adventure with many memorable characters in the 3rd My Time game!
