One Iconic Animal Crossing Character Could Be The Key to a Bold Spin-Off (2025)

Games in the Animal Crossing franchise are known for their cozy social simulation gameplay, offering a variety of activities to do, items to collect, and characters to collect. The formula for each mainline entry is one that many fans are familiar with, and the next game will likely have it as well. But if Nintendo decides to stray away from it via a spin-off, then one classic Animal Crossing NPC could serve an important purpose in ensuring a fun and interesting new way to play.

While the Animal Crossing franchise is no stranger to trying something different regarding gameplay, they're always from the perspective of either the player or a controllable human character. If Nintendo ever decides to do a spin-off, then Tom Nook may be the key to an investing and town management-like style of play. Straying away from the usual formula and trying something different is something that could help the franchise expand to other avenues of genres, and it's possible that the iconic tanuki could lead the charge.

What Kind of Gameplay a Tom Nook-Lead Animal Crossing Spin-off Could Have

Those who have played even one entry should quickly realize the business-minded Tom Nook and see how his entrepreneurial characteristics could lead to a new type of gameplay. Though the character has always played a supporting role that helps the player, he has the skills and background that allow him to be an interesting protagonist for a spin-off. If the next Animal Crossing allows players to take a walk in Tom Nook's shoes, then there are a few ways it can go about doing so:

• A game that involves using Tom Nook's business skills to determine what companies players should invest in, giving players the freedom to succeed or fail however they please
• A spin-off that lets players help Tom Nook decide on the next business venture, allowing for a diverse range of options on what players could potentially do
• A new title whose gameplay revolves around Tom Nook managing all the different towns whose progression he is in charge of, allowing for a management-type simulation game

If it's a spin-off, the next Animal Crossing game shouldn't let Tom Nook be the villainous landlord some consider him to be, but should instead embrace what makes the character special. The highly recognizable tanuki has a lot to offer, and it's up to Nintendo to shove him into the spotlight and bring about a new game that could change some people's perception of the franchise.

Why a Tom Nook Spin-off Game Could Benefit the Animal Crossing Franchise

If a Tom Nook spin-off game manages to achieve success, then it opens up avenues for sequels. Tom Nook's business-oriented mindset means there are many things he's capable of doing, which also means that he has the potential to be responsible for even more games outside the mainline entries. It can even lead to games involving Timmy and Tommy Nook, the adorable employees who work for Animal Crossing's iconic tanuki. While there are a lot of unanswered questions about the Nooks, it's clear that all of them have the same business-like mindset that warrants them having spin-offs together or separately.

The next Animal Crossing game shouldn't pass up on the golden opportunity of using a well-established character like Tom Nook to introduce a new side of the series. A spin-off involving the character can grab the attention of current and potential fans, letting people know that the franchise has the potential to go beyond the social simulation genre.

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9.2/10

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Simulation

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:90/100 Critics Recommend:99%

Franchise

Animal Crossing

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

March 20, 2020

Developer(s)

Nintendo EPD

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer , Local Multiplayer

Engine

Havok

ESRB

E for Everyone: Comic Mischief

How Long To Beat

100 Hours

Steam Deck Compatibility

no

X|S Optimized

no

Expansions

Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Cross Save

no

Cross-Platform Play

no

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