The spin-off trilogy that divided the fans transforms a decade, but one of their ideas is still alive in the main saga

When we think Crossing of animalsThe first thing that comes to mind is tranquility, routine animals and adorable in the form of animals. But ten years ago, Nintendo decided to shake the waters With three spin-offs that have completely broken with what we understood as a game of the saga. Happy Home Designer, Amiibo Festival y Pocket field It was the experiments that tried to transform the formula … with very different results.

While one of them was almost canceled by collective memory (COF COF, Amiibo Festival), another got something curious: One of its mechanics ended up for resuscitation in the most successful title of the franchise.

The spin-off that designed its future, Happy Home Designer

In 2015, Nintendo was taken out of the sleeve Happy Home DesignerA title for Nintendo 3DS that, at first glance, seemed only a decorative experiment. Without people to manage or stations that will happenHere the important thing was to decorate neighborhood houses and satisfy their whims. A much more limited proposal than the main games, but also more centered and relaxing.

Although the criticisms were not bad, Many thought that this would be better suitable as downloadable content than as a complete game. And … they were right. Six years later, Nintendo recycled the idea Happy Home Paradisean expansion for Animal Crossing: New HorizonsWhich not only has improved everything that the original spin-off proposed, but has naturally integrated it into the basic game.

That is to say, The idea of designing specific houses for characters with concrete tastes was not in vainAnd he ended up having a second life much more dignified.

Amiibo Festival, when marketing could more than game

And then it came Amiibo Festival. Yes, the notorious spin-off Nobody asked and that seemed more a showcase to sell amiibo figures of a Crossing of animals under conditions. Released for Wii U, this board game inherited too much by the DNA of Mario PartyBut without his memorable miniges or his fun rhythm.

The result was a flat, slow and … forgetable game. End You need amiibo physical figures to access many contentWhich has already been a problem in 2015 and is a total obstacle today. Neither New horizons He made an indirect mention to this experiment.

With 48 On average in OpenCriticalIt is clear that Amiibo Festival It was the bad duckling of the spin-offs and one of the lowest points in the history of the saga.

Pocket Camp, the experiment that worked better

Instead, Pocket field He knew how to adapt to his new environment. Launched in 2017 for mobile phones, it was The first crossing animal that did not land in a Nintendo consoleAnd this was already a milestone. With a simplified and focused approach on the campsite, in the collection and decoration of the areas for the tastes of the player, Pocket field He kept the essence of the saga without losing sight that I was designed to play in short sessions.

Also, he introduced Regular events, micropagos (yes, many) and online connectionWith a formula that has become a gateway for the new audience. Although he closed his servers online in 2024, Nintendo has relaunched it as Complete pocket fieldAn offline version that allows you to continue playing without depending on updates.

Of the three spin-offs, This was the one who kept most of the community and the one that made you feel moreAlthough he never intends to replace a main title.

«The strategic break is definitive?

After launch New horizons In 2020, Nintendo It seems to have given the folder to the spin-offs. And it is understandable: this game is so complete that it makes you seem irrelevant deliveries. But this does not mean that everyone will contribute to something (even if in the case of Amiibo Festivalthat “something” is a warning).

In short, if we look back, the legacy of these three titles is unequal: One was forgotten, another recycling and the last one survived itself. And although Nintendo has not attempted luck with new variants, it is clear that their ideas are still alive … if they occur in the right format.

If you are interested in the universe Crossing of animalsWe advise you to remain attentive, because New horizons He could not have said his last word … and who knows if the spin-offs will also return one day, but a better thought.