The Animal Crossing series is of full of Easter eggs, jokes, quirks, bizarre events, and fun references. And these features aren’t just limited to the more recent games; Nintendo have been humouring players of the franchise right since Its conception. I am an avid Animal Crossing fan, and even I am still learning new things about the games. And so, I thought I’d share my Potato-y wisdom with you all, and share these 10 Fun Facts about Animal Crossing that you might not have known.

The shopkeep just wants some sleep

In Animal Forest e+, players can witness Tom Nook in his PJ’s, and shop in his store after closing hours. This can be accomplished by using a shovel to bang on the door of his shop three times. Inevitably, he is sleepy and will therefore move more slowly. Additionally, he will pay less for items you sell him, charge more for the items he has on display, and the catalogue will be unavailable.

“Hello, my name is secretary.”

In the early stages of the development of Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Isabelle was simply known as ‘Secretary’ or ‘Hisho’. Fortunately, she did eventually obtain the name of ‘Shizue’ (based on her shih tzu breed) before the game’s release in Japan.

The mew mew that hasn’t caught a train since ’02

Upon starting a new game in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, players will embark on a train journey, where they will be joined by Rover. He mentions that he hasn’t travelled by train since 2002 (the year that the first Animal Crossing game was released). Whatever the reason for his avoidance of public transport (*glares at Nintendo devs*), it’s good to see the kitty travelling again.

Chip the beaver, a fraud as well as a fish thiever

Chip is a beaver who hosts the fishing tourneys in the games. He is notorious for his gluttonous consumption of every single fish that you catch and give to him. However, as beavers mostly eat plants, his diet is more typical of that of an otter.

Turning leaves into bells and the tanuki that sells

There is more to the Animal Crossing franchise’s leaf logo than meets the eye. Japanese folklore believes that tanukis can turn leaves into money. Hence why the series has a tanuki as a shopkeeper, leaves as inventory icons for furniture, and the ability to sometimes obtain bells when shaking trees in the games.

‘Spot’ the difference

According to Tom Nook, a way of telling his twin nephews Timmy and Tommy apart is the presence of a mole on one of their hands (and it’s not Resetti, just to clarify). Additionally, Timmy is more high-pitched than Tommy, and is the eldest of the twins.

When your WiFi is slow, and the journey is long, you can always sit back and enjoy Totaka’s Song

Whilst visiting the island in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Kapp’n will start whistling the iconic Totaka’s Song if your WiFi is really slow.

Scrapped Metal

During the development of New Leaf, one of the suggested features of the game was for players to be able to pan for gold. Unfortunately, this idea didn’t ‘pan’ out.

An Alien on TV at 3:33

On Sundays and Mondays at 3.33am in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, players can watch an Alien message on their television sets. The bizarre message will replace the static on your television set until 3:34am, when your television will return to its original static.

The mole that Nintendo sacked because too many people felt attacked

First appearing on the Gamecube in 2001, Resetti, is infamous for his angry rants at players who quit their games without saving. Before the release of New Leaf, he was simply a bit of a nuisance for some players. For others however, he was terrifying, and has allegedly made people cry. Hence why he was essentially ‘sacked’ in new Leaf, but with players given the option to re-employ him as part of a PWP. Due to the autosave feature in upcoming Switch game Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it has been hinted that Mr. Resetti may be taking on a new role.

Animal Crossing Merchandise

Take a look at this adorable personalized Animal Crossing Stocking stuffer gift! I am giving away sticker packs on my Patreon this month as well!