Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, a beloved mobile game, has recently bid farewell, leaving its fanbase in a state of longing. Yet, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon for enthusiasts awaiting something fresh for 2025.
Debuting in 2017 for both iOS and Android, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp cleverly adapted the franchise’s signature social simulation elements for mobile devices. Players were given the delightful task of managing and beautifying their own little campsite. Over time, the game proved to be a significant success story for Nintendo, raking in over $250 million through in-app purchases by November 2021, making it the company’s second most lucrative mobile offering. Despite the affection many felt for its charming characters and warm ambiance, Nintendo announced that they would be closing the curtain on Pocket Camp on November 28, a somber Thanksgiving Day for devoted fans. In the months leading up to the shutdown, players scrambled to save their data and prepare to part ways with this cherished spin-off.
But all is not lost. Come December 3, 2024, a new chapter begins with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete set to launch on mobile platforms. This updated experience invites players to carry over their Pocket Camp save data by simply logging in with their previous account. Though outfits, layouts, crafting items, furniture, friendship levels, and Bells will migrate to the new game, Leaf Tickets sadly won’t make the jump. If players didn’t link their Pocket Camp data with their Nintendo Account before the shutdown, they’ll have to start afresh.
Although the original was free-to-play, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete arrives with a one-time entry fee of $9.99, slated to rise to $19.99 after January 31, 2025. Unlike its predecessor, this revamped edition will operate solely offline, yet promises an abundance of engaging content. Players can anticipate seasonal events, a wealth of new items, and creative seasonal happenings from now until at least September 2025. New features such as player-to-player interactions through in-game QR codes and a vibrant new locale, Whistle Pass, are set to enrich the experience further, complete with live guitar jams to enjoy.
As one chapter closes, another opens, giving some solace to fans eager for fresh escapades within the Animal Crossing universe. Even as we say goodbye to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, players hold out hope for what the future holds, especially with the resounding success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch, which has sold an impressive 45 million copies since its 2020 release. While today is tinged with nostalgia, we’re also excitedly looking ahead to what comes next for this beloved franchise.
