You’ll Now Have to Pay for Nintendo’s Animal Crossing on Your Phone
A few months ago, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp players received some disappointing news: Nintendo announced that the game’s online service would go down on Thanksgiving Day, effectively preventing users from playing the game.
“Since beginning service on November 21, 2017, for approximately seven years, we have been honored to see wonderful, diverse campgrounds grow and thrive,” the company said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many users who have enjoyed Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp.”
This week, Nintendo introduced the Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete paid app for iOS and Android . It will initially be available for an introductory price of $9.99 until January 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM PT. After that, the one-time purchase price will be $19.99. It is noteworthy that the new version of the game does not include any in-app purchases, unlike its predecessor.
This plan could be part of Nintendo’s new mobile app strategy. Super Mario Run, RPG Fire Emblem Heroes and Mario Kart Tour remain free apps with in-game purchases . However, in an interview with Variety last year, game designer and “Nintendo mascot” Shigeru Miyamoto said that “mobile apps will not be the main focus of future games.”
While Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp’s move from free to paid app has disappointed many loyal users, 9to5Mac sees it as an opportunity for Nintendo to explore its potential in the mobile market. The application will retain many features and events from the previous version. It will also allow users to transfer their projects from Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch to their camp.
The good news is that users of the free version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will not have to start over and rebuild their camp in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. If their Nintendo Account is linked to their save data, there’s nothing else you need to do in the new app.
All furniture, clothing, amenities, terrain pieces, animal friendship levels, and items such as crafting materials, bugs, fish, etc. purchased in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will carry over to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete . However, Leaf Tickets, Leaf Tickets, and gifts are not used in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete , so they will not be transferred.
If iOS users have save data they would like to transfer but haven’t linked it to a Nintendo Account, follow these steps in the video below:
Android users can follow the steps described in this video:
For more information about the end of the Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp online service , click here.