Release Date / Game Reveal Timing Speculation and Discussion

[Verecund]

I'm expecting November/December, but I think a March release would be really nice - I think early spring would be a good time to start a new town in!

 

[MapleSilver]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being delayed until 2020.

 

[EpicGamer12]

Nintendo says they announce games at most 9 months ahead or less. So at best around June.

Another reason I think it's coming June or later is Reggie's response to the absence of Animal Crossing at E3 was that they "don't want a repeat of New Leaf'. This could be interpreted as a game that doesn't get pushed back years and then gets a direct 2 months before release (a true story about acnl).

My best release, March
My worst release, End Of Summer/December

I think Nintendo really felt the pressure to announce Animal Crossing. Normally, Nintendo likes to wait until a game is closer to announce it, but I think your worst release is the most likely scenario. I have a feeling the game is still deep in development, and will be for the majority of 2019.

 

[smonikkims]

I must say I do doubt that it will be released in Japan first this time. I feel like they wanted all regions to get hyped at the same time.

 

[honeymoo]

I'm going to guess 4. September-November, and if not then June-August

 

[Paperboy012305]

I?ve noticed November releases for Animal Crossing all the time. Just look at City Folk, New Leaf, (Japan) Amiibo Festival, Welcome Amiibo update, and Pocket Camp. What do they all have in common? They released in November. So clearly, November is the peak time of Animal Crossing releases.

Yes, Pokemon Gen 8 will be releasing in 2019, most preferably November due to the pattern since ORAS. But I don?t think that?s going to stop Nintendo and Gamefreak from having a competition in sales or not.

Overall, it?ll most likely be released in November.

 

[Parakoopa144]

I'm thinking Q4 2019, like November. If the game comes out during summer I'd be over the moon, but I think it needs more time in the oven.

 

[Azurenna]

I voted Q1, even though it's really unlikely. I just couldn't make myself click those later times...

 

[kemdi]

I hope summer but realistically, I'd say fall Q4. AC is a very popular game, and I don't think Nintendo would pass up E3 without headlining it.

 

[Hat']

well, acnl was first teased in 2010 (according to wikipedia) and released in japan until two years later. and it was originally meant to release in 2011. so nintendo might push it back.

but again, maybe that's just me being selfish >.<

Hm I don't think it'll be delayed since every game on the switch were all "on time"...but idk

 

[DJStarstryker]

The better question is, what will the delay be versus the Japanese version? Remember that the NA and European versions of New Leaf came out about 7 months after the Japanese version.

I hope they do it like Pokemon and have a simultaneous worldwide release.

 

[Galaxxy]

I would actually love to see a spring or summer release for the game.
Whenever I start a town in the winter, it doesn't feel right to me lmao, I like to see the greenery and then see it fade into another season.

So for me, I expect it to be late spring time, early summer- June-ish?

 

[ESkill]

I think Spring would be the best time to release a game like AC, spring= new beginnings. Plus you have enough time to settle into your town before big holiday events come out, but there's still going to be smaller events to participate in.
I don't think the game will be delayed, I think Nintendo has learned from the past and that's why they wait so long to announce things. They want to be sure the game is ready to go. Plus they've been doing really well with getting switch games out on time. I'm hopeful for a Spring or Summer release, but Im cautiously optimistic, I don't want to be disappointed haha.

 

[QueenOpossum]

well, acnl was first teased in 2010 (according to wikipedia) and released in japan until two years later. and it was originally meant to release in 2011. so nintendo might push it back.

but again, maybe that's just me being selfish >.<

They should have said "now, nintendo doesn't like to announce too far out" Its a fairly recent policy.

 

[honeymoo]

You guys above are optimistic haha. I don't see it being released until November or December, if not early 2020. We've got minimal info about how far along the game is. Surely they'll put out 1 or 2 directs about it, so summer seems a bit too close considering both of those points. I'd rather them take longer and put decent effort into the game rather than rushing it and getting it out sooner. We've waited 6 years, a little extra isn't going to hurt at this point

the video literally says 2019

 

[smonikkims]

^Maybe, but delays happen.

 

[smonikkims]

Nintendo says they announce games at most 9 months ahead or less.

Really? Where did they say that? That's exciting if so.

 

[Hat']

Really? Where did they say that? That's exciting if so.

I they've been pretty consistent with the switch releases.
And to give an example we can look at Smash which they teased in a Nintendo Direct, and in the next one we got all of the informations and even some gameplay. Okay it was for E3 but still I like to use this as my standard.
So let's really hope we'll get a lot more informations in the next Nintendo Direct ! It may even be an Animal Crossing Direct, that'd be cool.
And yeah I don't think Nintendo teased us because of pressure, I think the game is at a good state of developement and they felt safe to announce it so let's hope we won't have to wait for too long.

- - - Post Merge - - -

I would actually love to see a spring or summer release for the game.
Whenever I start a town in the winter, it doesn't feel right to me lmao, I like to see the greenery and then see it fade into another season.

So for me, I expect it to be late spring time, early summer- June-ish?

Omg same !!!
Like starting in winter is just so horrible. June would be the perfect month for me. Even if I'm hoping for some kind of March release in my wildest dreams.

 

[Tinkalila]

I feel like animal crossing is the perfect game to release in the spring, I'm hoping they'll do it then. The sooner the better!

 

[Pansy]

I think it'll release late spring-early summer. I feel like those are the best seasons to release it in because the fall and winter holidays are some of the best ones in my opinion. Also, like someone had said, it feels more natural to start towns during those months, too. I feel like if the game wasn't going to come out fairly soon then they would've announced Isabelle as a Smash character closer to Ultimate's release.