Don't expect Animal Crossing for Switch 2 anytime soon, former Nintendo marketing lead warns: "It's maybe a little bit early"

News
By published

Kit Ellis explains Nintendo typically focuses on the hardcore fans for a console's early years

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo's former marketing lead Kit Ellis has dumped a bit of cold water on Animal Crossing frenzy, saying that, in his experience, it would be weird for Nintendo to do a Switch 2 edition this early.

If it wasn't before, Animal Crossing definitely became one of Nintendo's most important franchises after how overwhelmingly popular Animal Crossing: New Horizons was. The Switch edition became one of the best-selling games ever made, beating out the series' previous record holder, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, by over 30 million copies. So, naturally, you think Nintendo would want to get a Switch 2 sequel out ASAP, but according to the company's former marketing manager, that would be unlike Nintendo's usual approach to the series.

Is a New Animal Crossing Game Being Announced Soon? - YouTube Is a New Animal Crossing Game Being Announced Soon? - YouTube
Watch On

Whereas with Animal Crossing "there was a recognition that after we release this game, we're going to be entering a new kind of era for the system, where the audience we're going to be speaking to is completely different." Ellis points out that when New Horizons released, Nintendo started using mainstream celebrities like Brie Larson to help advertise the game, for example.

While he obviously doesn't know for sure as he left Nintendo in 2022, Ellis thinks "it's maybe a little bit early in the life cycle of Nintendo Switch 2 for Nintendo to be introducing the next Animal Crossing game." He says, Nintendo has an opportunity to make the most of the more hardcore Nintendo fans, then use Animal Crossing to bring a new wave of more casual gamers in for their favourite series.

Twink Link is being freed: Nintendo apparently backtracks, says you are allowed to call yourself Twink Link as it works to unban a Switch 2 it "flagged by accident."

Scott McCrae
Scott McCrae
Contributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.