Well, in terms of shock value, the announcement of Animal Crossing: City Folk didn’t really even register, seeing as how it was predicted and hinted at prior to E3. What is shocking however, is the fact that the game looks like it was ported directly from the Gamecube.

Don’t get me wrong, there should be a lot of fun stuff to do in the city, and no doubt all sorts of new conversations have been written for the neighbors, but what else? Is that it? I would buy it if it was a direct port of Animal Crossing: Wide World, but I was hoping for something a little bit more substantial. Besides the 4-player gaming at the end of course.

DailyMotion

 

During Nintendo’s E3 keynote, Animal Crossing: City Folk was officially unveiled. The game looks much like the older iterations, but will include more robust online options. It is by no means MMO material, but does at least usher in voice chat. A microphone designed to work with a whole room to speak through will work with the game. Finally, voice support!

NGamer magazine has its sources, and its sources are telling them that we can expect both Animal Crossing and Punch-Out!! for the Wii this year. Yeah, this year - as in 2008. Keep in mind that NGamer is also a UK publication, so presumably that means 2008 for Europe as well.

We’ve already gotten wind that Animal Crossing will be shown at E3. Sadly, it isn’t going to be an MMO, despite rumors and more in-line with recent statements from Nintendo. Not to worry, though, as it looks like there will be plenty of multiplayer and Wi-Fi sharing, a la Wild World.

As for Punch-Out!!, the game reportedly uses the Balance Board, Wii Remote, and Nunchuk. Yeah, it’s basically like that Rhythm Boxing exercise in Wii Fit, except that you’ll actually get to box with something other than the bag.

I’m not doubting the report, though neither of these games would suggest a big E3 for Nintendo to me. I’m still holding out on Zelda.

N-Europe

Sure, we know one is on the way and is most likely going to show up at the E3 press conference, but if there is one company you can never be sure about, it’s Nintendo. However, the cat may already be out of the bag. Tom East, online editor for the Official Nintendo Magazine, mentioned in his blog that:

Those of you who have read the new issue of Official Nintendo Magazine should already know that Animal Crossing Wii will be unveiled at the conference.

I guess that puts me in the group of people who haven’t read the new issue then, because that is definitely news to me. On second thought, after reading the actual blog that line was no where to be found. Sure Animal Crossing was mentioned, but not in the same light. Perhaps somebody didn’t like that line?

Official Nintendo Magazine
via Kombo

A high volume of recent Animal Crossing speculation has lead many Nintendo fans to suspect that a new Animal Crossing game will be announced at E3 this year. While we only have a handful of days to wait for the big event, the latest issue of the UK’s Official Nintendo Magazine appears to hint at some upcoming Animal Crossing-related news. This picture was printed within an E3 preview section along with the caption:

It’s been a while! It’s time to visit an old friend. How’s your village doing these days?

Could this be an early confirmation of Animal Crossing Wii, or something entirely different? Fortunately, we don’t have to wait much longer to find out!

Cubed3