Thanks to the April Nintendo Direct, there has been a flood of new details regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 and everything fans can expect from it. Nintendo unveiled details about its new functions, such as the Game Chat feature and the mouse-like functionality of the joy-cons, as well as a handful of major first-party titles that blew fans away. For fans of Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, or really anything that Nintendo does, the Direct was a smash hit and well worth tuning in for.

However, another group of Nintendo fans was also treated to a nice surprise. One of the biggest reveals during the Direct was the announcement that several GameCube games are being added to the Nintendo Switch Online service - exclusively on the Switch 2 - including some of the classics, like Wind Waker, Pokémon Colosseum, and Luigi's Mansion. Unfortunately, as great as this announcement was, it was somewhat undercut by a missing title, one that would have been an amazing reveal for the Switch 2 and the perfect addition to the NSO.

Animal Crossing Isn’t In NSO’s Confirmed GameCube Games

It Was Absent During The Switch 2 Presentation

It is important to stress that the best Zelda games of all time, Soulcaliber 2 offers a robust fighting experience unlike any other, and Chibi-Robo is a famously difficult-to-buy GameCube game that's now becoming more readily accessible. This is a phenomenal selection and something that shouldn't be scoffed at. However, as great as it is, it's hard to deny that the absence of Animal Crossing is sorely felt.

The original Animal Crossing on GameCube - excluding Dōbutsu no Mori, which was released exclusively in Japan for the N64 - remains one of the very best in the series, if not the best. It truly captures the original goal of Animal Crossing, something that has been lost in newer entries. It is a defining GameCube title and a piece of Animal Crossing history that those without a GameCube can't access. Putting it onto the Switch 2 would give players the opportunity to experience where it all started as well as fix one of the Switch 2's biggest flaws at launch.

No Animal Crossing On Switch 2 Is A Huge Missed Opportunity

There's Not A New One Confirmed For The Switch 2

One of the Switch 2's biggest problems is its lack of an Animal Crossing game. Of course, the currently confirmed first-party Switch 2 launch titles are great, but they don't offer a cozy experience with the longevity of something like Animal Crossing. The AC series gives players a reason to keep coming back to their Switch in a way that no other Nintendo game really does. Having something like that launch keeps players engaged with their shiny new console while newer releases trickle in over the launch period.

Considering that a large portion of the Animal Crossing fanbase - many of whom will have started with New Horizons - won't have played the GameCube version, it would be a new experience for them to try, and thus worth investing in both a Switch and NSO.

Naturally, the Switch 2 will still sell well without an Animal Crossing title, but it would sell better with one. Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains the Switch's second-best-selling game, so it makes sense that a new one - or, in this case, an old one - would draw players in and get even more sales. Considering that a large portion of the Animal Crossing fanbase - many of whom will have started with New Horizons - won't have played the GameCube version, it would be a new experience for them to try, and thus worth investing in both a Switch and NSO.

A New Animal Crossing Is Probably In Development

It Has Been Five Years Since The Last One

One possible reason for Nintendo skipping Animal Crossing on the GameCube component of the NSO service is because it's currently developing a new Animal Crossing game. While this hasn't been confirmed by Nintendo themselves, it's hard to imagine that it doesn't have some form of Switch 2 Animal Crossing project in the works. As a result, it could have postponed putting the GameCube version of Animal Crossing on the Switch 2 until after it releases its brand-new one. A practically free Animal Crossing - outside the base NSO cost - could detract from a full-priced version.

Regardless, Animal Crossing fans will get a new game eventually, whether it's with a new mainline entry or when the GameCube version is inevitably added to the service. Nintendo typically releases new games for each console on the NSO service in chunks - one can only assume to avoid players having too much fun. So, there's a very good chance that it will eventually add the GameCube Animal Crossing game, much to the delight of fans. In the meantime, there will be plenty of iconic and worthwhile GameCube games available on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube