Animal Crossing: New Leaf

 3DS
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 920 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 799 out of 920
  2. Mixed: 76 out of 920
  3. Negative: 45 out of 920
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  1. setz
    Jun 9, 2013
    10
    Finally an AC to dethrone the Gamecube version. This game is so full of charm and makes me constantly smile and laugh. There is no other series I can pick up and play literally ever day for months.
  2. EFYevan
    Jun 9, 2013
    10
    Much different than the previous DS version I popped in the old game today to see the difference, and "Animal Crossing: New Leaf" is so much smoother and better in every way! The whole game seems happier and Nintendo really listened to its fans. It may sound silly, but being able to sell all your items at once or have the owl appraise all your items at once saves a ton of time and is soMuch different than the previous DS version I popped in the old game today to see the difference, and "Animal Crossing: New Leaf" is so much smoother and better in every way! The whole game seems happier and Nintendo really listened to its fans. It may sound silly, but being able to sell all your items at once or have the owl appraise all your items at once saves a ton of time and is so convenient! No game is perfect, but this is so close! 9.9/10… Expand
  3. Autosaver
    Jun 9, 2013
    10
    Animal Crossing has gone a long way since the original game. While previous entries have not made any evolutionary turns, this one surely has. The 3DS game is the one that beats them all. Missing out on this game is a great mistake. This is a must have for all 3DS owners.
  4. KillaRiku
    Jun 11, 2013
    10
    Since I bought this game, I've been playing this like I'm addicted. It is the best Animal Crossing. If you liked the GC Version, the NDS Version or the Wii Version, then you will love this game like it's you're own child.
    Play it! Love it!
  5. 46joey_b
    Jun 9, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. With its vivid presentation, loveable characters and health-hazard inflicting addictive gameplay, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a game that oozes charm, detail and devotion. It's a game that, for Western countries, has been 3 years in the making, but it's been more than worth the wait. Animal Crossing: New Leaf may be criticised by other reviewers for its gameplay that sticks to the previous titles, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Make no mistake, this is the most polished and refined Animal Crossing experience to date, and it does a lot of new stuff that goes hand-in-hand with the core mechanics that are the game's main attraction to make this new title a truly fresh and captivating experience.

    New Leaf should be a template to the game's creators for years to come, and until the next title, New Leaf will dominate the Activity Log of any 3DS owner. 9.7/10.    … Expand
  6. firecloud42
    Jun 17, 2013
    10
    This is the OF THE YEAR

    So I haven't played an Animal Crossing game since GameCube, not because I don't like the series more that I didn't have a Wii till Skyward Sword and by that time I had a lot of catching up to do with Nintendo Wii titles. The controls are well done and feels the same as the GameCube (don't fix it if it's not broken). The Graphics are great, the detail of the    This is the OF THE YEAR

    So I haven't played an Animal Crossing game since GameCube, not because I don't like the series more that I didn't have a Wii till Skyward Sword and by that time I had a lot of catching up to do with Nintendo Wii titles.

    The controls are well done and feels the same as the GameCube (don't fix it if it's not broken). The Graphics are great, the detail of the bugs, fish, and squids are awesome. the story is good (you know the classic tail of becoming the mayor and turning into a Tyrant...um I mean struggling on becoming a great Mayor). the Music is AWESOME, K. K. Strider is a Legend, and the background music makes great atmosphere and can change the mood of the game. And the characters are so well made that you will fall in love (platonicly..well I guess I can only speak for my self there) or grow to hate...Darn you Tom Nook, I'm done with being in debt with you.

    I give it a 1000/10 score and if you're like me and haven't touched an Animal Crossing game in awhile or haven't at all then New Leaf is a great to get back into or start with

    what? I'm not a fan boy     … Expand
  7. L0stR3negade
    Jun 9, 2013
    9
    Refreshing style of game to play. Its hard to frown on it as this game is cheerful and brings joy when being played. Graphically the stands strong to other 3DS titles. The music is calming and the characters a lovable. Customization could have been better but it is in no way bad.
  8. rowazra
    Jun 11, 2013
    10
    This game strikes a perfect balance between the classic freefrom feeling of Animal Crossing with new goals and structures. There is a never a dull moment in this game from the classic hobbies we all know and love to new mayoral duties. New music and new graphics give this game a real boost and brilliance. The game also nails it on the small touches that are so charming and enjoyableThis game strikes a perfect balance between the classic freefrom feeling of Animal Crossing with new goals and structures. There is a never a dull moment in this game from the classic hobbies we all know and love to new mayoral duties. New music and new graphics give this game a real boost and brilliance. The game also nails it on the small touches that are so charming and enjoyable they're impossible to adore. They streamlined the game as well, fixing everything that might have bugged you before. The game lets you know when you catch a new fish, let's you do basically everything in bulk, and also gives you a place to sell your things in the village. The animal scripts for the game are so amazing and diverse you wouldn't notice they weren't real unless you hounded the animals to death. They are so much more aware and lively in every way. When I say the game strikes a perfect balance it really does, between structure and freedom, work and play, city and village, familiar and new, this game is exactly what fans have been asking for and is sure to capture the attention and devotion of new players!… Expand
  9. danielneves
    Jul 20, 2013
    10
    I have tried Wii and Nintendo DS' games but none of them captured me. I saw lots of trailers and critics and them I decided to buy.

    The game is SO GREAT, it has lots of content and so many things to do! It's very refined with great graphics and rich soundtrack. The game has lots of ways to connect with friends through online visits real time in your city, local and also streetpass. They    I have tried Wii and Nintendo DS' games but none of them captured me. I saw lots of trailers and critics and them I decided to buy.

    The game is SO GREAT, it has lots of content and so many things to do! It's very refined with great graphics and rich soundtrack. The game has lots of ways to connect with friends through online visits real time in your city, local and also streetpass. They enabled a chat to talk to friends in diferents cities. I have never spent so many time playing a game as I'm doing with Animal Crossing New Leaf.    … Expand
  10. RyanA
    Jun 19, 2013
    8
    This is one of the best 3DS games out there right now, maybe even the best (I personally disliked immorality of having to kill everyone in most of the levels in FE:A). I guess it's true that it is quite similar to the Wii version, but who says this game is worse than the one on the Wii. If this was the first game in the series, my opinion may differ, but overall, it wasn't a bad game.This is one of the best 3DS games out there right now, maybe even the best (I personally disliked immorality of having to kill everyone in most of the levels in FE:A). I guess it's true that it is quite similar to the Wii version, but who says this game is worse than the one on the Wii. If this was the first game in the series, my opinion may differ, but overall, it wasn't a bad game. Overall, 8.3/10… Expand
  11. Poisonthemonkey
    Jun 13, 2013
    10
    My first Animal Crossing game...and I'm hooked. I'm not usually into games of this type, but I gave it a try because a lot of folks at my office play it and it has multiplayer. The multiplayer on this game is top-notch, for the kind of game it is--nothing like taking a boat ride with three of your friends and running off to go diving, fishing, and scavenger hunting together.
  12. Starhowl
    Jul 5, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am completely new to the Animal Crossing series. Up until this game, I had no prior knowledge of this series or what to expect when getting New Leaf. All I knew was that it was a life simulator with cute animal people in it.

    I ended up getting far more than I could have ever imagined. Your town and your people are ALIVE, make no mistake. This game is packed with little details and small charms all over the place that will make anyone new to the series say "Wow, really? I wonder what else will happen..."

    Your villagers are intelligent, they know what goes on around them and will comment on it. Your town grows over time, day by day, very slowly. Relationships develop, buildings rise, seasons change and villagers move in and out. There are over 300 possible citizens for your village, and you can only have 10 at a time. This is a painful kind of potential where you want to see as much as you can, but you'll only get there with time.

    It's much more than a slice-of-life simulator. It's literally another life, all to yourself, where you're in charge and these little animal people look up to you to make their town the best in the world. After a week, you may find yourself getting a deep-seated feeling for your little town and it's people, smiling at some of the things they say and hopefully getting a little chuckle out of it sometimes too.

    Daily routines are common, but somehow not repetitive or boring. There's plenty of options for things to do if something doesn't suit your mood that day, or you can just do nothing at all! This game has literally no obligations tied to it, and it makes for a very therapeutic sort of relaxation game. Go fishing. Plant some trees, water some flowers. Or just gaze at the stars.

    The possibilities are endless, and no two people will ever have the exact same town.

    I don't think I could have picked a better time to dive into the Animal Crossing series. $40 well spent; I'll be playing this game for years to come.    … Expand
  13. NintendoJeroen
    Jun 13, 2013
    10
    This game is truly innovating and worth it's every penny. I never imagined a new game in the series to be equal to Wild World but this game has proven my wrong.
  14. Footballpires
    Jun 13, 2013
    10
    Absolutley magnificent! I've really enjoyed this game so far, it's so relaxing and fun at the same time, very pretty visuals and a lot of charm! A lot of things to do and the new online modes are very intresting.
  15. Dastrados
    Jun 14, 2013
    10
    A game u will keep coming back to months after you buy. Every 3ds owner should get this game. Play it for 1-2 hours at time. This isnt monster hunter where u grind for 5 hours. Its meant to be played gracefully.
  16. Carlsdil000
    Jun 29, 2013
    9
    I became a fan of the series in late 2004 when I played Animal Crossing on the Nintendo GameCube for the first time. I was fascinated that a game that includes weed picking and seashell hunting as part of the regular gameplay, and wondered how and why I found it to be so strangely addicting. Fast forward almost nine years later and here we have the fourth installment in the series. WhileI became a fan of the series in late 2004 when I played Animal Crossing on the Nintendo GameCube for the first time. I was fascinated that a game that includes weed picking and seashell hunting as part of the regular gameplay, and wondered how and why I found it to be so strangely addicting. Fast forward almost nine years later and here we have the fourth installment in the series. While it doesn't stray far from the Animal Crossing formula it does add that nostalgic feeling that I feel was lost in the second and third games. You're still in debt to Tom Nook, but it feels less forced. You're still doing chores such as killing and weed pulling, but now with projects and things to add to your town instead of it being the same forever. Your main street grows and adds on as you continue to play, and you can't help but feel satisfied as you watch your town flourish into something beautiful and completely your own.

    If I had to say something negative about this game (or rather something "less positive") it would have to be the placement of public works projects. You can almost never place them exactly where you want, and symmetry is very hard to create. That being said, I definitely recommend this game to anyone. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, and that's ok, but those who have liked the game for sure will fall in love with this one. This is the best one since the GameCube, and in many ways it's even better than that.    … Expand
  17. Prozilla
    Jul 3, 2013
    9
    fiancé loved it, I thought it was alright. She was a fan since the wii version. if you like the wii version you will more than likely love the 3DS version. its not really my cup of tea but I can see how some like it. I gave it a 9 because I feel the developers accomplished what they were going for and gave you more choices. still could use more changes especially if it takes a couple yearsfiancé loved it, I thought it was alright. She was a fan since the wii version. if you like the wii version you will more than likely love the 3DS version. its not really my cup of tea but I can see how some like it. I gave it a 9 because I feel the developers accomplished what they were going for and gave you more choices. still could use more changes especially if it takes a couple years to make… Expand
  18. Asheciel
    May 27, 2014
    9
    Story: N/A
    Gameplay: 9/10
    - Simple and easy to learn. Art: 9/10 - Cute and quite adorable. Characters: 8/10 - All the villagers seem to have a certain type of personality, all interesting in their own way. Sound: 9/10 - Pleasant sounds and music; DJ K.K. provides a variety of catchy songs. Enjoyment: 7/10 - It is fun to play from time to time, but it can get extremely repetitive.    Story: N/A
    Gameplay: 9/10
    - Simple and easy to learn.
    Art: 9/10
    - Cute and quite adorable.
    Characters: 8/10
    - All the villagers seem to have a certain type of personality, all interesting in their own way.
    Sound: 9/10
    - Pleasant sounds and music; DJ K.K. provides a variety of catchy songs.
    Enjoyment: 7/10
    - It is fun to play from time to time, but it can get extremely repetitive.
    I recommend people to play this with friends, since playing it by yourself can get boring really fast.    … Expand
  19. AsrielDreemur
    Mar 16, 2017
    8
    I had played this game for over a month now and decided i would write a review on this game. This is my first ever animal crossing game so i don't have any knowledge on any pass animal crossing game. But what i can tell you it's that AC is a really relaxing and enjoyable game, there is no purpose in this game but managing your village and your villager. There are tons of activities you canI had played this game for over a month now and decided i would write a review on this game. This is my first ever animal crossing game so i don't have any knowledge on any pass animal crossing game. But what i can tell you it's that AC is a really relaxing and enjoyable game, there is no purpose in this game but managing your village and your villager. There are tons of activities you can do in AC such as bug catching, fishing, building new facilities and so on and forth. How fast you progress in the game depend on the player play style, you could either take it slow and steady like me or you can grind by catching bugs and fishing to earn bells in order to improve your village. ACNL is just a game that makes you get addicted to it and you would keep coming back wanting for more. Overall it's one of the better life stimulation game out there and if you're into life stimulation games or had been wanting to play a more lay back game, ACNL is just the game for you.… Expand
  20. FalloutShadow
    Jun 10, 2013
    10
    If your veteran or new to animal crossing then this game is a must to be in your 3DS library. This game adds enough new fresh stuff like being mayor and such for people
    Who are new to animal crossing, and people who loved the previous animal crossing will love this one. Best animal Crossing to date.
  21. SuperstarVenom
    Jun 20, 2013
    9
    This is the first Animal Crossing I've played, had it for 5 days now and play it virtually every free minute I have. Simple to play and rewarding each day. Fun to play as a family as each profile you create, all live in the same town and contribute to the community. Highly recommended.
  22. WoodenToaster
    Jun 25, 2013
    10
    Pretty much a perfect, relaxing and charming handheld adventure for all ages I had a lot of fun with this installment
  23. imoses
    Jan 26, 2015
    10
    I have logged 440+ hours on Animal Crossing: New Leaf! It is AC at its best, I have played all AC games to date.

    Pros: + You're the mayor this time! + Animals and their personalities + Fish, fossil, furniture collecting OCD! + customize town + Real time = extension of own life + mini-games + visiting other towns + streetpass integration Cons: - friend codes still a thing -    I have logged 440+ hours on Animal Crossing: New Leaf! It is AC at its best, I have played all AC games to date.

    Pros:
    + You're the mayor this time!
    + Animals and their personalities
    + Fish, fossil, furniture collecting OCD!
    + customize town
    + Real time = extension of own life
    + mini-games
    + visiting other towns
    + streetpass integration

    Cons:
    - friend codes still a thing
    - repeating dialogue
    - flat terrain (compared to previous installments)    … Expand
  24. Kevexception
    Aug 15, 2017
    9
    The magic in this game is hidden. New Leaf offers various activities that can last 2 hours per day. The idea of the game is more large scale in terms of time because it is a game that uses real time for events. Never mess with this feature and you will develop bonds with villagers and spend countless hours doing "nothing" which is actually not a bad thing in this game. Just play it, you'llThe magic in this game is hidden. New Leaf offers various activities that can last 2 hours per day. The idea of the game is more large scale in terms of time because it is a game that uses real time for events. Never mess with this feature and you will develop bonds with villagers and spend countless hours doing "nothing" which is actually not a bad thing in this game. Just play it, you'll love it.… Expand
  25. dorffy
    Dec 4, 2018
    9
    This game is everything an animal crossing game should be, Its fun simplistic and addicting. You can play this game for days to months without ever feeling old. However the end game takes way too long, like I've been playing for years and I'm still no closing to beating it than the day i first bought it. Besides that its one of my favorite games on the 3ds.
  26. monster_meal
    Jun 24, 2013
    10
    Thank you Nintendo. I have been so in to Animal Crossing for years. I was very disappointed when "City Folk" ended up being a pretty straightforward port of the DS game. Finally we have a true successor to the Animal Crossing game. Whereas I found myself running out of things to do in the old games, I now have all sorts of things to keep me busy. New furniture, better AI dialogue, allThank you Nintendo. I have been so in to Animal Crossing for years. I was very disappointed when "City Folk" ended up being a pretty straightforward port of the DS game. Finally we have a true successor to the Animal Crossing game. Whereas I found myself running out of things to do in the old games, I now have all sorts of things to keep me busy. New furniture, better AI dialogue, all kinds of new features, and a more fleshed out multiplayer offering. All this, and Streetpass has finally given you a way to see what complete strangers are doing with their town. I love it.… Expand
  27. ce111
    Jun 21, 2013
    9
    I'm in love with this game! A great improvement from the previous game! Its not a game that you can play for hours in one sitting since you will run out of things to do but that is, in my opinion, part of its charm. I look forward to playing it every day so that I may do new things and continue to improve the town! Also, I find it a refreshing change of pace from many other games out thereI'm in love with this game! A great improvement from the previous game! Its not a game that you can play for hours in one sitting since you will run out of things to do but that is, in my opinion, part of its charm. I look forward to playing it every day so that I may do new things and continue to improve the town! Also, I find it a refreshing change of pace from many other games out there that are primarily about violence. In this game the most violent thing that happens is getting stung by bees(and thats only if you shake the tree their hive is in so you kind of deserve it...). So whether you are a fan of the series or just want a fun, family friendly game to play, this one is definitely a winner.… Expand
  28. Rtheom
    Jun 28, 2013
    8
    This is a good one to fall asleep to or to play with your kids/significant other when you have a little bit of free time at the end of the day. It's charming, quirky, and fun in a mini-sims sort of way. There's not much to do that takes any sort of mental capacity, but that's not why you play Animal Crossing. You play because it's a nice little vacation from the stupid of the rest of theThis is a good one to fall asleep to or to play with your kids/significant other when you have a little bit of free time at the end of the day. It's charming, quirky, and fun in a mini-sims sort of way. There's not much to do that takes any sort of mental capacity, but that's not why you play Animal Crossing. You play because it's a nice little vacation from the stupid of the rest of the world.

    I do agree that it's a shame you can't play for much more than an hour without completely running out of things to do, and it's reliance on real time rather than some sort of an in-game sleep system is kinda annoying, but like I said, it's not really meant to be something you take up an entire day with. It's a light snack of a game to help wind you down. Keep that in mind if you try it. You'll get your money's worth after many weeks of play, not in a handful of sittings.    … Expand
  29. KirkyDaTurkey
    Jun 9, 2013
    9
    Based on Day 1, this game is definitely a 9 so far. Could be 10 or could be an 8 depending on what happens over time as I will edit this review. I haven't played AC since the DS like 5 years ago, and this is hands down the PERFECT way to get back in to the series. The little changes have made this fantastic. Being able to get rid of things in groups rather than singles. choosing ANYWHEREBased on Day 1, this game is definitely a 9 so far. Could be 10 or could be an 8 depending on what happens over time as I will edit this review. I haven't played AC since the DS like 5 years ago, and this is hands down the PERFECT way to get back in to the series. The little changes have made this fantastic. Being able to get rid of things in groups rather than singles. choosing ANYWHERE you want to place your house in the town. You like that view by the beach? "Done," says Nook. One thing that bothers me is that the curvature of the world is a little too much and zoomed in too far, making it a little annoying to find fish.
    I can't wait to see what else this game keeps showing tomorrow, throughout the week, and for months to come!    … Expand
  30. salamanca
    Aug 12, 2013
    9
    Animal Crossing is one of those games you keep coming back to over and over again with each iteration, and you never really know why. In its fourth installment since its Gamecube debut in 2002, it's still one of the freshest, most relaxing, and oddly enough, most addictive game franchises on the market. It's also yet another must-own for anyone who has a 3DS.

    The biggest difference    Animal Crossing is one of those games you keep coming back to over and over again with each iteration, and you never really know why. In its fourth installment since its Gamecube debut in 2002, it's still one of the freshest, most relaxing, and oddly enough, most addictive game franchises on the market. It's also yet another must-own for anyone who has a 3DS.

    The biggest difference between New Leaf and the prior Animal Crossing games is that this time, you are the mayor in your town, and as such, you have the ability to customize and improve your town like never before. If you have the money and you're willing to cough up the dough, you can buy various public works projects that add to the aesthetic of your town: things like streetlights, extra bridges, new shops, a night club, police stations, Resetti's headquarters, and more. In relation to previous installments, everything in New Leaf is much more streamlined. Most of the shops are bunched together in the area north of your town, while several staples from prior entries in the series, like the police station for example, are now public works projects that you can place anywhere in your actual town... after you pay for them of course. The depth of customizing your town will, needless to say, keep you coming back to the game, even after you've paid off the millions of "Bells" (the currency in Animal Crossing) it will take to expand your home to its biggest potential.

    I honestly can't even begin to explain how much furniture and clothing there is to collect in this game. After playing the game for two months, I still walk into the department store and see something new every time I go in. The sheer amount of items and collectibles will baffle you, and this is yet another aspect of the game that will bring you right back to it.

    Much of the New Leaf is business as usual, providing you with the same motivation to meet your neighbors, collect all of the bugs, fish, fossils, etc., and pay off that dang home loan that Tom Nook likes to harass you about. All of it is executed extremely smoothly and intricately, in typical Nintendo form. The visuals are delightful, the music is fairly relaxed, and the 3D effect is pretty good, but it really isn't needed for this kind of game anyway.

    Overall Animal Crossing: New Leaf is great fun. It's got a strange alluring quality to it that is unlike any other game out there. Considering all of the gritty and violent realism of many other video games on the market, Animal Crossing is a welcome and delightful detour. Without a doubt, it's a must-own for anyone who owns a 3DS, and is yet another great addition to the 3DS's already extremely impressive library of games.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best 3DS Game of 2013
4
#4 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2013
4
#4 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 7, 2013
    91
    Animal Crossing: New Leaf is excellent for meditation, coffee breaks, grinding, goofing around, self-expression and, naturally, having loads of fun. [Aug 2013]
  2. Level7.nu
    Sep 10, 2013
    70
    It is not too shabby to be a major. Animal Crossing New Leaf continues the series tradition of being as charming as it is relaxing. The repetitive nature of the tasks in the game has an allure that somehow never gets old. Fans will of course feel right at home and welcome the occasional tweaks and news the game has to offer. It’s just too bad that New Leaf while being a game with lots of content still offers very few surprises.
    Read full review
  3. Universo Nintendo
    Aug 26, 2013
    100
    Animal Crossing: New Leaf represents not only the pinnacle of the series, but also the ingenuity of the life simulation genre.
    Read full review
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