"Another new life? Thank you, Nintendo!"

Nintendo knows innovation and no better example is the Gamecube classic Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing broke new ground with a life simulation style of gameplay that took the gaming world by addictive storm with its mass amounts of customization and many different things to do in. Creating towns, interacting with the inhabitants, fishing, bug-catching, it all was wound up in an all-ages package that almost anyone could enjoy. With Nintendo's DS system rolling, they've finally released the long-anticipated Animal Crossing: Wild World, and this time, Nintendo's going online.

Graphics 8/10

There have been many DS games: some good, some bad, some ugly. Fortunately, Animal Crossing doesn't create overly-detailed characters that end up looking muggy and blocky. The characters aren't very advanced, but retain the charming and cute look that the Gamecube version had. Each animal or character will have a cleverly-deformed look with plenty of differences in appearance. The many different inhabitants that will visit your town will be very creative and diverse. The camera in the town is no longer an isometric overlook, but now looks down to a spherical world that turns when going into and out of screen. The original Animal Crossing flourished thanks to diversity and quantity of the items, characters, and appearances of the whole game. You could practically customize as much as you wished. Wild World does the same. You can design a shirt, paint your rooftop, mix up your house, pretty much anything you own is customizable. The amount of character animations is still limited, but retains the charm from the Gamecube version. Don't expect a whole lot of action in Animal Crossing: Wild World. However, the game is still a peaceful diversion in gaming.

Audio 7/10

Animal Crossing hasn't been about incredible audio, but you can still set up your own town tune. The note choices are limited, but you can set up your favorite song after some practice. The inhabitants are still talking in their weird gibberish, but it is rather cute. The sound effects are decent enough when fishing or catching bugs, but the audio feels rather lacking, even for such a relaxing title. Though Animal Crossing: Wild World has passable audio, the game should definitely expand a bit to keep the game moving.

Gameplay 9/10

Animal Crossing is a life simulator. As a recently-embarked youth ready to start a new life, you travel to one of the quiet towns of the Animal Crossing world. Meeting up with local town merchant Tom Nook, you set up your loan to get your own house to live in. Nook gives you a quick job, then you're out to pay off your loan and create a new life in Animal Crossing!

Controls have been tweaked for both the touch screen and buttons. Use the D-Pad to move around and B to run, or point with the stylus to explore. By tapping on the screen or pressing A, you can interact with the environment. Shake a tree, cast your line, catch an insect. By pressing the X button you open your map, and you open your inventory with Y. Start allows for a quick save without having to go home, a nice addition in my opinion. The stylus works well, but I found myself only using it in certain situations like aiming my fishing line in a certain spot or tapping and dragging items to sell at Tom Nook's. I found running to be best with the D-Pad myself, but found that using the keyboard was much easier when used with the stylus. As a result, I found myself switching off between the two. This was a bit of a nuisance, but the gameplay did not suffer by this extremely minor inconvenience.

Nook gives you a hefty loan right off the bat, forcing you into debt from your arrival. This is something anyone who played the first Animal Crossing will remember and adjust to quickly. However, anyone who has not entered the world of Animal Crossing before will feel a small bit intimidated by the loan size and amount of pressure Nook will give so you pay the loan promptly. But, Nook's schedule of collecting the payment is reasonable enough that no one who has not played the game will be able to adjust to the timing and will be able to pay on time. Anyone like myself who played the first Animal Crossing will feel pretty happy to have a true goal in the game again. The return of an objective in game gives the game challenge and appeal. This compensation for both newcomers and veterans makes Animal Crossing: Wild World good for anyone.

The whole concept of Animal Crossing: Wild World is living, exploring, and interacting with your town and the inhabitants of it. After setting out on your own in your town, you can visit your animal friends, buy things from Nook, create a design at the Able Sister's shop, and more. Much, much, more. The game isn't one to lead you along with objectives; this is a true sandbox game, allowing you to do what you want. The excellent amount of buildings and things to do in town makes Wild World a more expansive world to explore than its predecessor. New additions include creating your own constellations, visiting the civic center, or hanging out at the local coffee shop. It's quite impressive on how much Nintendo has expanded upon the already winning formula. Animal Crossing Wild World is definitely a game to keep you coming back.

Probably the biggest addition is the multiplayer. The original Animal Crossing only allowed for four players in a town, each in separate houses, and not playing simultaneously. Nintendo has improved on the whole multiplayer aspect. Well, more like completely revamped it. The Nintendo DS wireless multiplayer allows for up to four players in a single house in a town, perfect for roommates. Interacting with friends in town uses the keyboard, but doesn't slow down gameplay. Sending messages to friends is fun. Nintendo also uses the new Gate in your town to visit other towns or invite your friends from other towns into your own. The whole communication factor is covered and is fun. Nintendo even amped the multiplayer onto the Internet using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, offering online Animal Crossing for anyone with a town. Now you can visit a friend from the other side of the world. Nintendo has truly proven themselves by focusing Animal Crossing on the community. The entire amount of interaction and communication is excellent and really makes you feel like you're creating a new life.

Sadly, Animal Crossing: Wild World suffers from one single flaw that the original had. The original Animal Crossing was an extremely fun and addictive game, but it also required you to manage your town. Paying your loan, weeding your grass, mailing your letters, it was all fun, but eventually you felt like you HAD to. Otherwise, your town would fall apart. The game began to revert from fun and addictive life simulator to needy virtual pet. The overall experience that Animal Crossing presents offers plenty of opportunity for communication, customization, and celebration for your character, but once you run out of things to do, there is little reason to want to go back. But Wild World has more things to do and a thriving community, so don't expect the tedium to arise until a very, very, very, long while. Overall, Animal Crossing: Wild World truly expands on an already winning formula, making one of the best and most addictive games ever to come to the DS, or any console.

Replay Value 10/10

Animal Crossing: Wild World is a game that you can literally play for years, and each time you visit, you will be pleasantly surprised at the results of your explorations. With a huge amount of activities and events along with some cheerful townsfolk to talk to, the whole game has as much appeal as the first. The multiplayer's emphasis on community makes the experience even more extensive, keeping the game fresh and fun. Animal Crossing: Wild World has replay value through the roof and will keep you coming back for a good long while.

Final Verdict 9/10

Animal Crossing: Wild World does the life simulator right. It can truly be considered a second life, and with good reason. By offering many activities, plenty of events, and lots of different things to do in your town, the fun keeps going with a fun and addictive formula for gaming. The completely-revamped multiplayer makes gaming on the go even better, with local and online support. The entire community aspect is heightened with visiting towns, inviting guests, and creating a world that anyone can enjoy. Animal Crossing: Wild World is a game that anyone can get into with its accessibility, addictive charm, and excellent longevity. Wild World is a game that, I must say, surpasses the original. Despite the extremely small recurring flaw, Animal Crossing continues to be a brilliant source of video gaming with Animal Crossing: Wild World. Buy this game as quick as you can. Don't got a DS? This is the game to buy a DS for. Purely addictive and fun, Animal Crossing: Wild World is some of the best the DS has to offer. Period.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/11/06