Over the years, Animal Crossing has welcomed hundreds of delightful villagers, capturing the hearts of players who find joy in gathering these charming neighbors. While these animal friends are integral to the franchise’s appeal, packing in too many could potentially backfire.
Back in 2001, the original Animal Crossing game, released only in Japan, boasted 215 villagers. This number has climbed with almost every new installment, with the exceptions being Animal Crossing: Wild World and Animal Crossing: City Folk, which saw a slight dip. Over time, the roster of villagers has nearly doubled, much to the delight of fans who enjoy encountering beloved favorites and fresh faces alike.
Integrating new villagers is a key attraction for any Animal Crossing release. Similar to Pokémon, the game inspires a “Collect them all!” mindset. As each title introduces more villagers, this trend is likely to continue, giving players fresh characters to either adore or dislike.
Future Animal Crossing games might include brand-new species. While the franchise already features 35 different types of animal villagers—rabbits, mice, dogs, and cats being the most common—it wouldn’t be shocking to see new additions. Most current villagers are mammals or birds, so introducing reptiles or fish could add an exciting twist.
Flick, the chameleon, is in the game but serves as a bug-enthusiast NPC, not a collectible villager.
Similarly, there’s room for more personality types. Currently, Animal Crossing includes only eight distinct personalities. Adding quirky new traits like “crybaby” or classic ones like “shy” would add depth. Since each villager brings its own unique flair, expanding personality types could make the gameplay even richer.
Such developments could set a new game apart from its predecessors. Given that Animal Crossing thrives on simple, charming gameplay, each release needs a unique aspect to stand out. In Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, for instance, players focus on decorating a campsite rather than an island. New villager species and personalities might just be the special touch a future title needs to shine.
However, increasing the village population isn’t without its downsides. While some players relish the challenge of assembling a full roster of villagers, others have their sights set on a few special characters. Expanding the villager list could decrease the chances of landing a specific favorite. With Animal Crossing: New Horizons, villager buying and hunts became popular trends. Introducing distinctive characters, akin to New Horizons’ Raymond, could rekindle these trends.
Moreover, a larger pool of villagers doesn’t guarantee better quality. If no new species or personalities are introduced, players might repeatedly encounter the same types. Take for example Stinky, Rudy, and Kid Cat—all share the Jock personality type.
Ultimately, the benefits and drawbacks of expanding the villager roster won’t be fully understood until a new game is out and fans experience it firsthand. Until then, players can continue the beloved task of collecting villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
