What do you think the original release date was?

[kemdi]

See title. New Horizons was originally slated for a 2019 release before being pushed back as we all know, but I'm kinda curious as to what everyone thinks the original release date was. Personally, I think it was August 20, last month. Zelda took up the first party spotlight slot of September, Luigi naturally took October, and Pokemon took November. I don't think any first party Nintendo games ever release in December because they'd be competing with too much holiday madness. I don't think it could have been in July because that would have been way too soon. So August is really the only month that makes sense.
Personally I'm glad it got delayed, AC crew shouldn't have to suffer for a game, the little improvements since E3 have been great, and I'm sure more are on the way to make this game the greatest in the series. Still I can't help but wonder about some alternate universe where it was released at it's original intended date.

 

[Ossiran]

Sometime between September and December most likely. The majority of the mainline games in Japan were released in that timeframe.

 

[Paperboy012305]

I like to believe it was November, despite Pokemon Sword and Shield being released in that month. I mean, its nearing the holidays so I would believe it made sense.

And yes, its viable for Nintendo games to release in December. In fact, they release their games on dates they think are acceptable. But if its too close to release and they haven't completed it yet, they have the rights to delay the game.

I honestly think there never was a delay, and 2019 was just the year that we'd get 100% information about the next game, not the year it releases...

 

[kemdi]

I don't think it would have been in November because Nintendo doesn't like for their games to compete with each other. It's why their first parties are spaced out from each other, because they want you to buy all their games, not choose one over the other.

 

[Speeny]

I'd say October or December.

 

[Bcat]

Sometime in November or December for the holiday season.

 

[LeAckerman]

Nintendo usually announces games 6 months prior to when it releases, so it would have been around the same time as this release date i think.

 

[Dim]

Clearly everyone expected 12/31/19 11:59pm

 

[LokiBoy]

My guess would have been early to mid December. To avoid releasing it with another major Nintendo game. It would also have been perfect timing to get in with the holiday sales.

 

[lexy_]

for me, it was december at the latest (like smash bro). maybe, it is a new strategy to sell the game in march because they did the same thing with yoshi. there is no competitor in 2020.

 

[Sweetley]

Personally, I think it was August 20, last month.

Pretty sure Nintendo wouldn't have released it on a Tuesday since Nintendo games always coming out
on a Friday, with little exceptions like Luigi's Mansion 2 and 3 for example, which both release(d) on a
Thursday. (Although I wouldn't have mind it if the game would have came out on my birthday, lol.) If
they would have released in August, then maybe on the 23th.

I would say either September by releasing it a week after the release of the Switch Lite or December.

 

[isabll]

I?m guessing a few weeks before Christmas.

 

[AlyssaAC]

I'm not really sure, but if I would have to guess it, probably sometime in December. Competing with other games is pretty hard, but Christmas time or somewhere near it would be perfect because then a lot of kids would get it then. Grant it, December is a little late to buy games for Christmas, but it still works I would think. My other guess would be sometime in September, but that might be a little too early.

I'm actually glad they are releasing it in March and I'm not too mad they delayed it. March, or Spring time, is the best time to start Animal Crossing in my opinion. It's just right before Summer, so it would help a lot of players get the bells they need in the game. Plus, releasing in March will give me the time to play Pokemon for a little while.

So anyway, September or December is my guess.