Nintendo’s Animal Crossing franchise has long been known for its charming world, inviting gameplay, and surprising collaborations with other major Nintendo properties.
From The Legend of Zelda to Monster Hunter, Animal Crossing's selection of special collaboration villagers has enriched its universe while delighting long-time fans across various Nintendo platforms including the Nintendo Switch. Since its debut on the Nintendo GameCube, Animal Crossing has evolved into a cultural phenomenon.
The iconic series reached a new pinnacle with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2020.
The game set records by selling more than 42 million copies, becoming one of the best-selling titles on the hardware.
New Horizons introduced a higher level of customization and interaction, solidifying its status as a must-have for both casual and dedicated gamers. One of the unique aspects of the Animal Crossing series has been its collaborations with other franchises through special in-game villagers and themed content.
Notably, characters inspired by The Legend of Zelda, like the wolf villager Wolf Link, and by Monster Hunter, like Felyne, have made appearances in the game through amiibo cards and special in-game events.
These collaborations not only serve as fan service for avid Nintendo followers but also spotlight Nintendo's creative approach to bridging its most popular universes. Speaking on the creative process, a representative from Nintendo shared that these collaborations are designed to "celebrate the shared history and beloved characters across Nintendo’s portfolio, making our worlds more vibrant and interconnected for players." By introducing familiar faces from blockbuster series like Zelda and Monster Hunter, Animal Crossing expands its appeal while fostering a sense of unity within the Nintendo fanbase. Fans may recall events such as the 2016 Welcome amiibo update for Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which first introduced crossover villagers and additional content inspired by other Nintendo series.
This tradition has continued in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where players can invite collaboration villagers to their island through amiibo functionality—a feature that takes full advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s hardware versatility. The popularity of these collaboration villagers has been widely acknowledged in the gaming community and has even influenced eShop sales, as fans eagerly hunt for companion amiibo cards.
Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to support Animal Crossing with fresh content and innovative crossovers demonstrate the company’s commitment to player engagement and creativity. As Animal Crossing continues to thrive on the Nintendo Switch, the history of its collaboration villagers remains a testament to Nintendo’s ability to connect its legendary franchises in new and meaningful ways.
With each new event and crossover, the charming world of Animal Crossing becomes even richer, keeping players engaged and excited for what might come next.
From The Legend of Zelda to Monster Hunter, Animal Crossing's selection of special collaboration villagers has enriched its universe while delighting long-time fans across various Nintendo platforms including the Nintendo Switch. Since its debut on the Nintendo GameCube, Animal Crossing has evolved into a cultural phenomenon.
The iconic series reached a new pinnacle with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2020.
The game set records by selling more than 42 million copies, becoming one of the best-selling titles on the hardware.
New Horizons introduced a higher level of customization and interaction, solidifying its status as a must-have for both casual and dedicated gamers. One of the unique aspects of the Animal Crossing series has been its collaborations with other franchises through special in-game villagers and themed content.
Notably, characters inspired by The Legend of Zelda, like the wolf villager Wolf Link, and by Monster Hunter, like Felyne, have made appearances in the game through amiibo cards and special in-game events.
These collaborations not only serve as fan service for avid Nintendo followers but also spotlight Nintendo's creative approach to bridging its most popular universes. Speaking on the creative process, a representative from Nintendo shared that these collaborations are designed to "celebrate the shared history and beloved characters across Nintendo’s portfolio, making our worlds more vibrant and interconnected for players." By introducing familiar faces from blockbuster series like Zelda and Monster Hunter, Animal Crossing expands its appeal while fostering a sense of unity within the Nintendo fanbase. Fans may recall events such as the 2016 Welcome amiibo update for Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which first introduced crossover villagers and additional content inspired by other Nintendo series.
This tradition has continued in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where players can invite collaboration villagers to their island through amiibo functionality—a feature that takes full advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s hardware versatility. The popularity of these collaboration villagers has been widely acknowledged in the gaming community and has even influenced eShop sales, as fans eagerly hunt for companion amiibo cards.
Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to support Animal Crossing with fresh content and innovative crossovers demonstrate the company’s commitment to player engagement and creativity. As Animal Crossing continues to thrive on the Nintendo Switch, the history of its collaboration villagers remains a testament to Nintendo’s ability to connect its legendary franchises in new and meaningful ways.
With each new event and crossover, the charming world of Animal Crossing becomes even richer, keeping players engaged and excited for what might come next.
