A great way to get worries off of your mind is to take a break at Tortimer Island! If you like what you saw, why not subscribe! Isabelle is a dog that first appeared in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, where she helps the player with their duties as mayor. Her name was first revealed as Hisho (ひしょ), which is Japanese for secretary, during the New Leaf developer commentary,1 then changed in the June 2012 Nintendo Direct to Shizue.2 When localized to English, her name became Isabelle.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf | |
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Developer(s) | Nintendo EAD |
Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
Director(s) | Isao Moro Aya Kyogoku |
Producer(s) | Katsuya Eguchi |
Writer(s) | Makoto Wada |
Composer(s) | Manaka Kataoka Atsuko Asahi Kazumi Totaka |
Series | Animal Crossing |
Platform(s) | Nintendo 3DS |
Release | New Leaf
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Genre(s) | Social simulation |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer, Online Multiplayer |
Animal Crossing: New Leaf[a] is a life simulationvideo game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DSconsole. In the game, the human character takes on the role of mayor in a town populated with anthropomorphic animals.[5] As the fourth main title in the Animal Crossing series, it was first released in Japan in November 2012, and later in North America, Europe and Australia in June 2013. The game received positive reviews from critics.
Although the title was rereleased under the Nintendo Selects banner in North America and as Happy Price Selection in Japan, an updated version with Amiibo support was released for free on the Nintendo eShop in November 2016 for owners of the original version. A retail version of the update was released as Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome Amiibo[b] in late 2016.
As in previous installments in the Animal Crossing series, players take control of a villager who is moving into a new town. Upon arrival, however, the player is mistaken for the town mayor and is given that position instead of being a mere resident. Like previous games in the series, the game enables the player to explore their town, talk with other residents, and participate in various activities such as fishing and bug catching. Doing various activities or selling various items earns the player Bells, which they can use to purchase various items such as furniture or clothes, or pay loans used to renovate their house. The game is played in real-time, utilizing the Nintendo 3DS system's internal clock, with aspects such as shop opening times, species of wildlife and special events varying depending on the time of day and season.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf introduces many new features to the series. Players begin the game living in a tent before their house, which eventually can be upgraded and expanded, is built.[2]Customization, a major part of the series, particularly in the player's ability to modify their character's appearance and decorate their house, has also been enhanced. The character's pants can now be modified in addition to their shirt, shoes, hat, and accessory; and the ability to hang furniture on walls has been added. Features previously exclusive to the Japanese exclusive Dōbutsu no Mori e+ for the GameCube, such as benches and lamp posts, have returned. Another addition is the new ability to swim in the ocean that borders the town using a swimsuit.[6] Players may visit each other's towns using the Nintendo Network and can be added to a friend's list that allows them to exchange messages with one another, while up to four players at a time can travel to the tropical Tortimer Island to take part in various minigames that award medals.[7] Players are also able to take snapshots at any time, which are saved to the Nintendo 3DS Camera and can be shared via Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.[8]
The game features a new game mechanic that makes the player the town mayor, allowing them to have more customization of their town than in previous games.[9] While taking part in mayoral duties is not obligatory to play the game,[10] being the head of town imparts two gameplay features new to the series: Public Works Projects and Ordinances. Public Works Projects allow players to collect funds from townsfolk and other visiting players to construct new objects such as bridges, fountains, and light poles, as well as add new facilities such as police stations and cafés.[11] Ordinances gives players the ability to customize the way their town functions by passing laws, such as making the town more wealthy, encouraging citizens to plant more flowers, or making the shops open earlier or later.[12] Only the first person to register a save file on each copy of the game will be able to become mayor, as subsequent save files will only be able to become villagers.
New Leaf makes various uses of the Nintendo 3DS's features, some of which are made available as time passes. Players can visit other players' towns via local play or online with up to four friends (an optional club membership on Tortimer Island allows players to explore the island with other online players). A Dream Suite feature allows players to download dream versions of other people's towns to freely explore. The Happy Home Showcase allows players to view the homes of other players encountered on StreetPass, as well as order some of the furniture their house contains. A sewing machine in the Able Sisters shop allows players to create QR codes of their designs, which other players can download using the Nintendo 3DS's camera. Play Coins can be used to buy fortune cookies, which in turn can be exchanged for special prizes, such as rare items based on other Nintendo franchises.
The game features two new animal types for regular villagers: hamsters and deer,[13] as well as two new NPC personalities: 'smug' and 'uchi', the latter described as a 'big sister type'. New special characters include a dog named Isabelle, who acts as the player's personal assistant,[14] her twin brother Digby who runs the Happy Home Showcase where players can view model home layouts,[15] a sloth named Leif who runs a gardening center,[14] and a pair of alpacas named Reese and Cyrus, who run a store called 'Re-Tail', a recycling shop where players can sell unwanted items or customize furniture for their house.[16]Tom Nook returns, now a real-estate agent instead of a shop-keep,[14] his former business now run by his nephews Timmy and Tommy.[17] The skunk Kicks and hedgehog Labelle from Animal Crossing: City Folk are featured as shoe and accessory salespersons respectively,[17] while K.K. Slider has a new position as a DJ at a nightclub called 'Club LOL'.[14] The building is run by an axolotl named Dr. Shrunk, who is a stand-up comedian. Tortimer, the former mayor of your town, runs an island that can be visited by using the boat at the dock the day after you have paid off your home loan.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf was first announced at E3 2010 as the first title in the series for the Nintendo 3DS.[18] It later appeared at the 2011 Nintendo World expo in Tokyo,[19] and again at E3 2011 during a short presentation where a release date was originally announced for later that year in Japan.[20] Nintendo later pushed back the release to some time in 2012 before the end of the fiscal year in March,[21] and eventually finalized a Japanese release to fall of that year during a Nintendo Direct broadcast.[22] Its English title was revealed in October 2012, along with a tentative release date in the west for early 2013.[23] In February 2013, New Leaf received its definite release date for the following June in North America, Europe, and Australia.[24]
The game was produced by Katsuya Eguchi and directed by the two-person team of Isao Moro and Aya Kyogoku, who had both worked under the previous director of Animal Crossing: City Folk on the Wii.[25] The idea for the player to become mayor did not manifest until about a year into development, which stemmed from the concept of giving the player much more freedom in designing and shaping the way their town grew.[25] Giving players the ability to pass ordinances and laws that involve shops being open earlier or later in the day was included to accommodate more personal schedules and play styles while still keeping the game synced with the passage of time in real world.[26] The main theme of the game was composed by Manaka Kataoka (formally known as Manaka Tominaga) while she composed the rest of the soundtrack with Atsuko Asahi.[27]Kazumi Totaka was the sound director for the game as he was for the rest of the series.[28]
Because the game was being designed for a 3D display instead of an exclusively flat one like its predecessors, the design team had to pay extra attention to how objects and characters appeared in regard to lighting and shading, and that no obvious flaws could be seen from the different perspective.[29] Design coordinator Koji Takahashi admitted that it was difficult thinking up new animal species to represent townsfolk since they primarily wanted to stick to ones people were familiar with, and had 'pretty much used up' the most familiar examples in previous games.[29] Alpacas in particular were chosen due to their recent popularity in the country.[29]
In order to make New Leaf a more personal experience to players around the world, the development team researched customs and holidays from various countries, including collaborating with Nintendo offices around the world, and included them in versions of the game released in those regions. These include variations to in-game events such as New Year's Eve, such as eating New Year noodles in the Japanese version, drinking sparkling cider in the English North American version, and eating a twelve-grape plate at midnight in the Spanish-language North American or European versions.[30]
New Leaf's English translation began in March 2012 by members of Nintendo of America's 'Treehouse' localization group, who collaborated with the company's headquarters in Japan on creating in-game events.[31] The North American and European versions contain an extra feature not included in the Japanese release - the ability to download example home layouts in the Happy Home Showcase from Nintendo over the internet using the SpotPass feature in addition to StreetPass, which requires players to physically pass by one another. According to localization manager Reiko Ninomiya, this was added due to the difficulty players in those regions experience with meeting others in public who own the game, explaining that 'in Japan Streetpass happens really, really frequently. People take trains. It’s a different community culture. Here, you’ve got people living in remote parts where they don’t have an opportunity to pass by people who have the game.'[32]
In October 2012, Nintendo Japan created an official Animal Crossing: New LeafTwitter account featuring tweets from the character Isabelle that included updates and promotions about the game,[33] with English versions established by Nintendo Europe in April 2013,[34] and Nintendo of America in May 2013.[35] Later that month, Nintendo of America began to produce a series of roundtable video discussions with the English 'Treehouse' localisation team providing information on the game's development and translation, which were posted on YouTube as well as the game's official Twitter and Facebook pages.[36] Nintendo Japan would partner with the 7-Eleven convenience store chain to offer special company-brand in-game items and furniture such as signs, shirts, and food displays by accessing Wi-Fi hotspots at select store locations across Japan between May and August 2013.[37] Two Animal Crossing-themed clothing items were also made available as downloadable content in the Japanese version of Style Savvy: Trendsetters for the 3DS, featuring designs based on the characters K.K. Slider and Gracie.[37]
Nintendo released a Animal Crossing: New Leaf-themed special edition 3DS XL handheld bundled with a digital copy of the game alongside its standard release in Japan.[38] In April 2013, the bundle was announced for North America and Europe in a Nintendo Direct broadcast, which would also be made available on the same day as the game's release in both regions the following June.[39] The game was made available as a download title on the Nintendo eShop in Japan on the same day as the physical release,[40] with a North American eShop version also accompanying its retail version.[41] A pre-order bonus figurine featuring a model of the town hall with the character Isabelle was also distributed exclusively by EB Games in Australia and Game retailers in Europe.[42]
A select number of American players chosen through Nintendo's Mayor Program were eligible to try the game out through the month of May and in return, chronicled their experiences online. On August 7, 2013, an app titled Animal Crossing Plaza was added to the Wii U, allowing players to communicate with other Animal Crossing players. The feature was available until the end of 2014.[43] In Europe and Australia, a promotion was announced in which if players register their game on Club Nintendo between August and October 2013, they would receive a code that they can give to another 3DS XL owner, allowing them to download a free copy of the game.[44] In September 2016, Nintendo and Sanrio has announced that they will be bringing Hello Kitty to the game in Japan.[45]
A large update known as Welcome amiibo was released on November 2, 2016, adding support for amiibo (including Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, and Splatoon figurines and cards)—which can be used to summon villagers and vendors to a new campsite area. The update also features save data integration with Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, and backports the game's touchscreen controls for furnishing.[46][47][48]
Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Following its announcement at E3 2010, very positive response was given to the game's visuals. Writing for G4TV, Patrick Klepek felt that the game's use of the Nintendo 3DS's stereoscopic 3D effects gave the game world 'real, tangible depth,'[56] while IGN editor Craig Harris described them as 'subtle, but helpful.' Both Harris and GameSpot editor Tom McShea praised the level of detail in the game's environment and objects, stating that they exceed that of the game's predecessor, Animal Crossing: City Folk for the Wii console.[57][58]
The game received 'generally positive' reception, according to review aggregatorMetacritic.[49] The Japanese version of the game received a 39/40 from Japanese magazine Famitsu, earning the publication's Platinum Award,[50] while the English version received an 8/10 from GameSpot, and a 9.6/10 from IGN.[59][60]
The game debuted in Japan with sales of just over 800,000 units sold, with 200,000 of them being digital downloads.[61][62]Animal Crossing: New Leaf became the first 3DS game in Japan to pass two million units sold, doing so in just under two months.[63] By March 2013, 3.86 million copies had been sold in Korea and Japan.[64] By August 2014, 1.36 million copies had been sold in the United States.[65] By March 2019, all versions combined had worldwide sales of 12.21 million copies.[66] A week following the release of the mobile app Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp in November 2017, sales of New Leaf saw a 214% sales increase in Japan.[67][68]
In the 2014 crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, the character Isabelle appears as an Assist Trophy, while Tortimer Island appears as a playable stage in the 3DS version of the game.[69][70]
In the 2018 crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch, Isabelle appears as a playable character.[71] The Tortimer Island stage also makes a return.[72]
Isabelle | |
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Animal Crossing character | |
Isabelle as featured in promotional art for Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival | |
First game | Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012) |
Information | |
Occupation | Secretary |
Isabelle is a fictional character from the Animal Crossing series of video games. She is a kindly Shih Tzu that first appeared in the 2012 release Animal Crossing: New Leaf, where she serves as the secretary to the player character. Isabelle has received positive reception, and she has become one of the most prominent characters in the Animal Crossing franchise. Her popularity has led to appearances outside of the Animal Crossing series, including as a playable character in the fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Isabelle was originally called Shizue in Japanese.[1]Animal Crossing designers wanted players to reject Isabelle's offer of a ceremony for various accomplishments as mayor at least once so that they feel bad about having done so.[2]Animal Crossing director Katsuya Eguchi and New Leaf producer Aya Kyogoku both enjoyed Isabelle; Eguchi appreciated her for her smile, friendliness, and clumsiness.[3][4]
Isabelle's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is based on fellow Smash character Villager. Director Masahiro Sakurai chose not to make her an 'Echo Fighter' (a character with relatively minor differences from another) due to Isabelle's different proportions, different animations, and the fact that Isabelle is based on character models in Animal Crossing: New Leaf as opposed to earlier character models.[5]
Isabelle first appeared in the 2012 video game Animal Crossing: New Leaf. She has appeared in several Animal Crossing games since, including Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. She made her first appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series as an assist character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, but was made a playable character in the Nintendo Switch sequel Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. A Twitter account named after Isabelle creates tweets in the style of the character in order to remind players about Animal Crossing.[6] Isabelle has appeared in the Super Mario series, first in the Wii U video game Mario Kart 8 as a downloadable racer (as well as the Nintendo Switch remake Mario Kart 8 Deluxe) and later as a costume that Mario can wear in Super Mario Maker for Wii U and 3DS.[7] Isabelle appears in a cameo role in Monster Hunter 4 on Nintendo 3DS.[8]
Isabelle appears in a one-off gag manga in the magazine CoroCoro.[9]
Isabelle has received generally positive reception since she originally appeared in Animal Crossing: New Leaf and has become a series mascot.[10] She quickly became a fan favorite following her debut.[11][12][13][14][15] Writer Amy Valens explains that her popularity was due to her being 'wholesome, positive, and adorable.' Writer Nadia Oxford praised her for her intelligence and selflessness, stating that she is 'guaranteed to turn your heart into a crimson puddle of pulsating goo.'[12] She also noted that all Nintendo has to do to get her to go back to playing New Leaf is for them to 'release a sketch of Isabelle the shih tzu sitting forlornly at her cobweb-covered desk, a cup of coffee turning to ice by her elbow.'[16]Kotaku's Patricia Hernandez called Isabelle adorable and her 'beloved,' while expressing sadness at how difficult it was to obtain her amiibo card.[17]GamesRadar's Henry Gilbert called her his favorite resident in Animal Crossing due to her cute appearance and reliability.[18] Writer Brittany Vincent called Isabelle one of the most adorable Animal Crossing characters.[19] Writer Jaime Carrillo called her the best helper in video games.[20] Author Ashley Brown discussed Animal Crossing's systems where characters in the game are designed to be aware of the pasage of time. She discussed Isabelle's dialogue in particular, where she will become flustered if the player chooses to try and delete the town. She brings up the residents and the town's history, which Brown says is a novel concept but one that may cause distress.[21] Isabelle has been reported as potentially being bisexual due to an apparent crush on the player-character regardless of gender.[22]
Isabelle has been a popular suggestion for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate among fans.[23]Electronic Gaming Monthly writer Mollie L. Patterson praised her inclusion in Mario Kart 8. She also calls her adorable and that she is infatuated with her.[24][25] Nadia Oxford considered Isabelle as part of one of the best downloadable content packs in 2015, calling her adorable.[26] Writer Gita Jackson called Isabelle her 'precious angel' and that Isabelle appearing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate constituted a birthday gift to her.[27]Game Informer's Jeff Cork noted that Isabelle was a particular favorite for him among Ultimate's newcomers.[28] Writer Jeremy Parish ranked Isabelle as his 11th best character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He called her the 'most lovable, loyal, hard-working character' Nintendo has.[29] She is also his favorite character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.[30]Paste Magazine writer Holly Green ranked her as her least favorite of the newcomers in Ultimate, nothing her dislike of some of her moves while praising her fishing pole attack.[31] Fellow Paste Magazine writer Natalie Flores called her the cutest character in Super Smash Bros.[32]IGN's Tom Marks felt that she 'fantastic' and 'charming,' but lamented how similar she was to Villager.[33] Isabelle's trailer revealing her as a playable character depicts her dealing with a large workload, which spawned a meme showing an image of Isabelle and accompanying text 'Isabelle said fuck work.'[34]
The official Animal CrossingTwitter account is designed to appear as if it is Isabelle's.[35] An Animal Crossing-brand Isabelle amiibo was produced in conjunction with the release of Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival.[36] A Super Smash Bros. amiibo based on her appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was announced for 2019.[37] The Isabelle amiibo sold out immediately, which caused writer Chris Carter surprise due to otherwise low sales of Animal Crossing amiibo.[38]
New Nintendo 3DS owners were able to swap out the default faceplates for faceplates featuring Isabelle.[39] A Nendoroid figurine of Isabelle was released by Good Smile.[40] A crossover promotion between Sanrio and Animal Crossing lead to a digital menu theme depicting Hello Kitty and Isabelle in a truck.[41] Multiple Line digital sticker featuring Isabelle were released on the app.[42]