Animal Crossing to retail
by Jolex Del Pilar

Sunday, September 22, 2002

Game will utilize e-reader capability as well as cross connectivity with GBA.

Nintendo of America (NOA) has released Animal Crossing, its GameCube, real-time, life simulation title, which also ushers in NOA’s era of connectivity between devices.

Using Nintendo’s e-Reader for the Game Boy Advance in unison with Animal Crossing will allow players to swipe in cards to receive letters from animal friends and collect NES games. Minus the e-Reader, a GBA connected to the GameCube lets players visit a hidden island, meet new companions and download NES games to the GBA.

Animal Crossing itself lets users design a virtual life that unfolds in real-time. Up to four players can participate at once in the same community. Non player characters lives will continue whether the game is played or not, so logging out for a few days may lead to drastic changes upon return to the game.

Animal Crossing comes with a memory card, at an MSRP of $49.95. Animal Crossing e-cards are due for release on October 28, for $3.29 each.

--- Jolex Del Pilar