Animal Crossing

 GameCube
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 205 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 179 out of 205
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 205
  3. Negative: 7 out of 205
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  1. oopkp
    Apr 1, 2023
    5
    Yeah, I know that a lot of people love this game, but it definitely could have been a lot better. The problem is that they were originally gonna get Francis Ford Coppola as the director for this game, but he was busy with the Godfather part III (which I've never seen), so he had to be replaced with some other guy instead. And the other guy clearly didn't understand how to make a good game,Yeah, I know that a lot of people love this game, but it definitely could have been a lot better. The problem is that they were originally gonna get Francis Ford Coppola as the director for this game, but he was busy with the Godfather part III (which I've never seen), so he had to be replaced with some other guy instead. And the other guy clearly didn't understand how to make a good game, because this game is riddled with glitches and bizarre decisions. For example, there's this glitch where you will NEVER receive oranges unless you start with oranges or peaches. Stuff like that makes the game unplayable compared to modern games with microtransactions.… Expand
  2. ZXSth
    Mar 1, 2023
    9
    A fantastic life simulator experience that was far ahead of its time upon release. While it may not seem like it can offer much to the kind of player that seeks something more adrenaline-fuelled, Animal Crossing offers a deeply satisfying progression loop, tons of excitement and a cast of endlessly quirky and charming characters, such as the money-hungry Tom Nook, the neurotic andA fantastic life simulator experience that was far ahead of its time upon release. While it may not seem like it can offer much to the kind of player that seeks something more adrenaline-fuelled, Animal Crossing offers a deeply satisfying progression loop, tons of excitement and a cast of endlessly quirky and charming characters, such as the money-hungry Tom Nook, the neurotic and nitpicking Mr. Resetti, and the ineffably cool K.K. Slider.

    It is easy to see how this game inspired the numerous sequels that it did - while difficult to verbalize, Animal Crossing did so much in its original iteration. It oozes charm, and offers such a unique experience that few other games have managed to capture (beyond the other games in the series). All in all, an absolutely excellent video game with tons to offer.    … Expand
  3. MaxSteelRocks
    Oct 12, 2022
    10
    A Gamecube classic that still has aged well. I recommend it to people of all ages and I promise you it will never get old.
  4. Hedaki
    May 12, 2021
    10
    An amazing title for the Nintendo GameCube. It's the best Animal Crossing game of all time.
  5. Kefero
    May 7, 2021
    10
    I cannot express how amazing the original Animal Crossing for the Nintendo GameCube is. It's the definitive version of Animal Crossing, and will always be my favorite one. New Leaf, while a close round, doesn't have the same train feels as you get here. There's always something new here. The music is catchy and fun, along with amazing. 10/10.
  6. omniface
    Mar 7, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. animal crossing gc

    pros
    cheap items allow slow gameplay to be worthwhile
    includes gcn in the game as an item or display
    nooks cranny stays homie
    the train was the best part

    cons
    house upgrades [minor]    … Expand
  7. obthegeek
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    i adore how unique this game is compared to the others. you can really feel the passion for this game oozing out of it. i love the much more aggressive and spontaneous villagers (because tbh new leaf's villagers have kinda wore off on me, as much as i love new leaf), i love the larger towns. i adore this game, probably as much as new leaf honestly.
  8. TEMP0
    Sep 6, 2020
    10
    It's too difficult to get bored of this game. Warning: you will be addicted to this game!
  9. Big_Ravioli
    May 23, 2020
    10
    I was insulted by a low poly frog after I refused to get his glasses case from a low poly duck

    11/10 Would recommend
  10. GoldFishy
    Mar 27, 2020
    3
    Great game. But again, like every other review. It's 1 island per switch system! Which is ridiculous and player 2 literally cannot do anything on the island. Absolutely ridiculous if you ask me
  11. MayorElla
    Jun 2, 2018
    10
    TL:DR PURCHASED AN ENTIRE GAMECUBE, GBA, AND MANY REMOTES JUST FOR THIS GAME AND THOUGHT IT WAS A WORTHWHILE PURCHASE! Top of the line dialogue and characters. Buy it if you can for sure!

    Second best game I have ever played. Not as empty as City Folk or Wild World. The graphics are great considering it was originally an amazing looking N64 game. The NES games are great as house    TL:DR PURCHASED AN ENTIRE GAMECUBE, GBA, AND MANY REMOTES JUST FOR THIS GAME AND THOUGHT IT WAS A WORTHWHILE PURCHASE! Top of the line dialogue and characters. Buy it if you can for sure!

    Second best game I have ever played. Not as empty as City Folk or Wild World. The graphics are great considering it was originally an amazing looking N64 game. The NES games are great as house decorations. The soundtrack is spunky and out there. The dialogue is more funny, gritty, and realistic than any other installment. I have nothing but love for this game I have spent so much time on. Easily my favorite N64 and GameCube game. I didn't dislike any aspect of this game. Top notch cannibalism- best representation of Thanksgiving. Only time I've actually liked that holiday. The Sports Fairs were great and I also loved the Cherry Blossom Festival remixes. The black market was very good in this game along with the ability to get mugged. Really love the insults from villagers and frequent usage of the word "ingrate". Can't find some of this greatness anywhere else. Also the dirt looks like an onion for some reason. Sorry if this review sounds retarded because I am very tired and up later than usual writing this. The pattern designing and typing aren't fun with an analog stick but I love everything else in this game. The island is great and this game is infinitely better with a good town name and layout.    … Expand
  12. MrTacoBob
    Sep 6, 2017
    9
    I positively love this game! The game is relaxing and also entertaining. The only flaw that I could find are the villagers. Most of them are mean and can do annoying things. Besides that the game is phenomenal!
  13. ItsAllOgre5
    May 11, 2017
    10
    Still the best Animal Crossing. I know it lacks online play and all, but I feel that makes the whole game more personal. I enjoyed filling up museum and upgrading the house, as well as playing the NES games, especially during rainy days; I loved when it rained in both the game world and the real world. Too bad my save got corrupted a long time ago, but those memories will stay with me forever.
  14. bunniebon
    Apr 22, 2017
    10
    Addictive and fun. This game has cute graphics. I would recommend Animal Crossing. While it does get boring here and there but it is fun and cute. 11/10
  15. GamecubeLover
    Jun 9, 2016
    10
    This is my favorite game besides sonic adventure 2. The graphics look adorable and it has a charm that no animal crossing can never have. Not even new leaf. The game aged 100% well and probably the best aging game ever created. It's my favorite nintendo series and I recommend you buying it. You'll be addicted to animal crossing once you play.
  16. Aozz101x
    Apr 21, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Animal Crossing is one of my fav animal crossing games on Nintendo Gamecube it right there close with it brothers Animal Crossing: City Folk, Animal Crossing: Wild World, and Animal Crossing: New Leaf,
    then again it my fav nintendo series other then other games they do, :)    … Expand
  17. wegie125
    Jun 27, 2014
    9
    How could you not give this game a good rating? It was so amazing and going back and looking at it again brings back so many memories of watching my brothers play. I do remember that there wasn't a bank and storages could only hold 3 items so my brother would leave his money on the floor of his house and I would secretly go in and steal it to pay off my house.
  18. TehBwitzie
    Feb 5, 2014
    7
    This game is good, has just as much charm and character of the other games, but there are things here that are quite monotonous that get fixed in the other games. This game is good, but It pales in comparison to city folk and new leaf. It's just hard to love as much as those games.
    And those close up graphics. Ewucguh, :(
  19. VideoGameCritic
    Aug 5, 2013
    9
    Besides been the first life simulation other than the Sims that I have played. Animal Crossing was really enjoyable, the town you live in is really innocent, the towns people have emotions like actual people. The goal of the game is simple, the whole game is just trying to collect bugs, fish, fossils, and paintings that are all around your town. Things you collect go to the Museum firstBesides been the first life simulation other than the Sims that I have played. Animal Crossing was really enjoyable, the town you live in is really innocent, the towns people have emotions like actual people. The goal of the game is simple, the whole game is just trying to collect bugs, fish, fossils, and paintings that are all around your town. Things you collect go to the Museum first and anything you have left over goes to tom nook who runs a town shop. Tom nook is who gives your house upgrades and tools that you can use for cutting down trees, fishing and a net for bug catching. The game also has a lot of events that happen through out the year, also the real world and the in game time are both the same. They will have forth of July parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any other holidays you can think off. The game has a lot to give, with more than one hundred hours of game play this game is worth a look at.… Expand
  20. JaymesKeller
    Jul 6, 2013
    8
    Animal Crossing seems to have gotten some controversy over not being the same old COD-styled nonsense that everyone seems to hail as the best game ever. I'm generalising a bit, but it's accurate than anything else.

    First up, the good: It's a welcome break, and it's a game that works to your own pace. There's enough to do, and more importantly, there is no end. You could play forever,    Animal Crossing seems to have gotten some controversy over not being the same old COD-styled nonsense that everyone seems to hail as the best game ever. I'm generalising a bit, but it's accurate than anything else.

    First up, the good: It's a welcome break, and it's a game that works to your own pace. There's enough to do, and more importantly, there is no end. You could play forever, getting you and your town into all kinds of entanglements and then getting them back out of it. Plus, it's the only game I know of for the 'cube that allows you to get stung by bees.

    Now, the bad. The Real Time Clock (RTC) is a bit of a pain in the bum, and the fact that it takes real time to do anything is annoying. Of course, you could time travel, and I don't mean the kind that the TARDIS does. However, that can really mess stuff up if you're not careful.

    If you're looking for a decent, casual game to break the monotony of the MMS games out there, then it might be worth your time searching for a second-hand copy of the game, or failing that, one of the other titles in the series.    … Expand
  21. scipio
    Mar 25, 2013
    8
    Whether it was catching a rare fish, designing new clothes, digging up new fossils, or planting an orchard of foreign fruit, this game never ran out of things to do. Just don't take a long rendezvous from the game or *sob* all your old neighbors may move away, and you'll have a lot of weeds to pull. 8/10
  22. Blakenator
    Jan 19, 2013
    9
    A charming game for the GameCube, Animal Crossing offers addicting gameplay elements, a wonderful setting, and lovable characters to create a relaxing escape into a world where you are free to roam.
  23. sophiecat
    Apr 10, 2012
    9
    This game is very entertaining and very cute! Each time I play I feel the excitement I felt from the first time playing. One thing I don't like about the game is how they promote the Game Boy Advance and increased playing. The game is fun for everyone; even my mom wanted to play. The soundtrack is by far the coolest soundtrack I've ever heard on a video game. The characters are neverThis game is very entertaining and very cute! Each time I play I feel the excitement I felt from the first time playing. One thing I don't like about the game is how they promote the Game Boy Advance and increased playing. The game is fun for everyone; even my mom wanted to play. The soundtrack is by far the coolest soundtrack I've ever heard on a video game. The characters are never boring so it's really just one of the most fun games I've ever played.… Expand
  24. Playtapus
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    I was never disappointed by the game. It took a year of waiting for the DS version to come out to get old. The game thrust me into colorful characters, events, and randomness. It was an amazing experience and I love the customization. The newer games are great, but the originals are always the best as they introduce the true meaning of the series.
  25. namDa65
    Jan 17, 2012
    10
    Must try. The cuteness, the NES games you can collect and play, the furniture, and the trading. Animal crossing kept me hooked for a solid 6 months back in '05. Great game. Fishing, planting trees, all becomes so addicting.
  26. ArkonBlade
    Sep 1, 2011
    4
    i bought this game in the advice of a friend who just raved how great the game was and we usally like the same games. this how ever was not one of them . the game is basically like the sims to a point except feels like it was made for a 5 year old. i even gave the game a chance and played it for about 15 hours . all i did was get more and more bored of what i was doing which wasnt muchi bought this game in the advice of a friend who just raved how great the game was and we usally like the same games. this how ever was not one of them . the game is basically like the sims to a point except feels like it was made for a 5 year old. i even gave the game a chance and played it for about 15 hours . all i did was get more and more bored of what i was doing which wasnt much because ultimatley there isnt much to do in this game. i mean unless your idea of fun is collecting dinosaur bones , fish , butterflys, and doing delivery quests also collecting clothes and makin your house better looking . there is no fun gameplay at all . i wanted so bad to take that shovel and beat all the other anamals to death with it but it wouldnt let me >< . all i could do is send them threatening letters which i would only get a response to i couldnt understand your letter. i dont know whats hard to under stand when you tell them to "go die you jerky **** head moose" . the game is differnt ill give it that but its made for a very certain typ of person and i am not that person.… Expand
  27. ohaiKendyl
    May 20, 2011
    9
    With a ton of variety and depth in gameplay, Animal Crossing is a life simulation phenomenon that some gamers are STILL playing. Pros: Addictive and seemingly limitless gameplay; rich, colorful visuals; variety of things to do and items to collect; charming characters; lots of extras/secrets; additional NES games. Cons: Requires a GBA, link cable, and at least one friend to uncover allWith a ton of variety and depth in gameplay, Animal Crossing is a life simulation phenomenon that some gamers are STILL playing. Pros: Addictive and seemingly limitless gameplay; rich, colorful visuals; variety of things to do and items to collect; charming characters; lots of extras/secrets; additional NES games. Cons: Requires a GBA, link cable, and at least one friend to uncover all extras/secrets; dull graphics.… Expand
  28. KendylKlownfish
    Apr 18, 2011
    9
    Animal Crossing is a life simulation phenomenon -- and one the most addictive Gamecube titles to date. Pros: Unlimited amounts of gameplay and secrets; rich, colorful visuals; accessible NES titles. Cons: Multi-player and accessories are required to access a lot of the bonus features; unimpressive graphics and audio; too time consuming for selected gamers.
  29. Killman
    Mar 9, 2011
    10
    Animal Crossing is still one of the most unique and charming games of the past decade. The amount of things to do, the real-time aspect, the overall design and the great collection portion wraps into a very addicting package. The graphics may not be fantastic or anything, but it fits the atmosphere of the game and fits it very well. If you have not yet tried it out, I suggest doing so soon.
  30. whitefox
    Dec 4, 2010
    9
    This was the game that made me want a Gamecube. I played it for quite a while (like, a few hundred hours over the course of two years), and even now occasionally play it a bit. No, there isn't a storyline, and yes, the graphics and sound are simplistic and weird, but I loved the quirkiness. Some people will, and others really will not.

    Either way, I actually have memories from this game:    This was the game that made me want a Gamecube. I played it for quite a while (like, a few hundred hours over the course of two years), and even now occasionally play it a bit. No, there isn't a storyline, and yes, the graphics and sound are simplistic and weird, but I loved the quirkiness. Some people will, and others really will not.

    Either way, I actually have memories from this game: certain events and accomplishments, like when I paid off my house. A few things could be better, but it's sad to think that there really isn't anything new for it after a certain point. If there were something like episodes, or updates that varied the game ever so slightly every now and then, that would be amazing.

    The only negative, really, was that it ended. Sounds corny, but my opinion. Also, this game got me into ragtime music. lol    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best GameCube Game of 2002
6
#6 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
9
#9 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. AceGamez
    100
    While kids will love the bright and colourful characters and graphics, adults will love the subtle nuances of collecting, decorating, Feng Shui, natural history lessons and sheer delight of pleasures as simple as catching a huge bass in the nearby river.
  2. GMR Magazine
    90
    The game that never ends... So why is it so much fun to play? [Feb 2003, p.96]
  3. Thunderbolt
    90
    It's easy to see why everyone in Europe was importing this from the US; there is simply nothing else like it.
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