Animal Crossing Era Concludes Today

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the beloved mobile game, has reached its farewell moment, leaving fans with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. But don’t put your campsite dreams on ice just yet, as a new dawn is expected with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, set for release on mobile devices on December 3, 2024. Initially priced at a budget-friendly $9.99, players can secure this one-time purchase deal until January 31, 2025, before the price hikes to $19.99.

Originally launched in 2017 for iOS and Android, Pocket Camp quickly became a go-to for Animal Crossing fans who wanted to enjoy the charming social simulation on the go. It allowed players to curate and personalize their own cozy campsites, contributing significantly to Nintendo’s mobile lineup by grossing over $250 million through in-app purchases as of November 2021. The announcement of its shutdown on November 28 surely caught fans by surprise, marking a bittersweet moment as they hurriedly backed up their data and bid adieu to their miniature camping worlds.

Yet, not all is mournful. Come December, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete arrives, letting players revitalize their campsites by importing their saved data. This new experience will carry over outfits, layouts, friendships, and furniture, although Leaf Tickets won’t survive the transition. Unfortunately, those who didn’t link their accounts before the shutdown might have to start fresh.

Switching gears, Pocket Camp Complete distinguishes itself by adopting a one-time payment model, ditching in-game purchases and operating entirely offline. Still, players won’t miss out on fun. With new features like in-game QR codes to connect with peers and Whistle Pass—a location for live guitar serenades—there’s plenty to explore. Meanwhile, a calendar of seasonal events and over 10,000 items, spices up the gameplay until at least September 2025.

While the refreshed game is sure to delight, many folks in the community are also keenly awaiting news of a next mainline Animal Crossing entry. The success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with its impressive 45 million copies sold since 2020, has set quite the precedent. As we reminisce about Pocket Camp’s contribution to the community’s joy over the past seven years, we also look forward to the new possibilities and adventures already on the horizon.