Animal Crossing has introduced a multitude of villagers throughout its history, drawing fans into its charming world. With a plethora of adorable characters, collecting these villagers often becomes an obsession for many players. However, while these animal pals are a significant attraction of the series, having too many might not always work in Animal Crossing’s favor.
Back in 2001, when Animal Crossing first debuted exclusively in Japan, it had a roster of 215 villagers. This number has mostly grown with each new installment, with Animal Crossing: Wild World and City Folk being notable exceptions. Over time, the lineup has nearly doubled, continuing to captivate fans by reintroducing beloved characters alongside fresh faces.
The allure of encountering new villagers remains a strong draw with every new Animal Crossing game. Much like how Pokémon players strive to “Catch ‘em all,” Animal Crossing enthusiasts often aim to welcome every villager. With the consistent increase in villager numbers, the trend is likely to persist in upcoming games, offering players new characters to either adore or dislike.
Future editions of Animal Crossing could also introduce entirely new types of villagers. Currently, the game boasts 35 species, including popular choices like rabbits, mice, dogs, and cats. Since most villagers are mammals or birds, the addition of new species, perhaps fish or reptiles, wouldn’t be surprising. As it stands, the octopi and frog species are the only ones not in the mammal or bird categories.
Additionally, while Animal Crossing’s Flick — a chameleon and bug enthusiast — adds diversity, he remains an NPC and not a collectible villager.
The variation in personality types among villagers is also ripe for expansion. Presently, there are only eight different personality types in the series. Introducing new traits, ranging from eccentric ones like “crybaby” to more mundane ones such as “shy,” could enhance player enjoyment. The appeal of Animal Crossing is often in its quirky characters, and more varied personalities would only enhance this.
These new elements would help a potential new Animal Crossing game stand out. Given the simplicity of its gameplay mechanics, each game in the series requires a unique draw. For example, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp distinguished itself by allowing players to embellish a campsite. New villager species and personalities could be that extra hook for a future release.
However, expanding the roster has its downsides. While many players relish the challenge of collecting all the villagers, others prefer focusing on a select few favorites. Increasing the number of available villagers could make finding beloved ones more difficult. This was evident with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where popular characters like Raymond sparked a frenzy, likely to recur with new game releases.
Moreover, simply adding more villagers might dilute their uniqueness if new species and personalities aren’t introduced. There’s a risk of redundancy, with multiple villagers being too similar, like the Jock-type cats Stinky, Rudy, and Kid Cat.
Ultimately, the true impact of adding more villagers won’t be known until a new game is released. Until then, Animal Crossing fans can continue their quest in New Horizons, seeking out favorite villagers and expanding their collections.
