Several months ago, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp players received some disappointing news: Nintendo announced that online service for the game would end on Thanksgiving Day, effectively ending users’ ability to play it.
“Since service began on November 21, 2017, for approximately seven years, we have been honored to see everyone’s lovely, diverse campsites grow and flourish,” the company said in an announcement. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many users who have loved Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp.“
This week, Nintendo introduced a paid app titled Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete for iOS and Android. Initially, it will be available at an introductory price of $9.99 until 10 p.m. Pacific time on Jan. 30, 2025. After that, the price will be a one-time purchase of $19.99. Notably, the new version of the game does not include any in-app item purchases, unlike its predecessor.
This plan might be part of a new mobile app strategy for Nintendo. Super Mario Run, the RPG Fire Emblem Heroes, and Mario Kart Tour remain free apps with purchases in the game. However, in an interview last year with Variety, game designer and “Nintendo’s mascot” Shigeru Miyamoto stated that “mobile apps will not be the primary path of future” games.
While Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp’s transition from a free to a paid app has disappointed many loyal users, 9to5Mac views this as an opportunity for Nintendo to explore its potential in the mobile market. The app will retain many features and events from the previous version. Additionally, it will allow users to transfer their designs from Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch to their campsite.
The good news is that users of the free version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp won’t have to start over by rebuilding their campsite in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. If their Nintendo Account is linked to their save data, nothing else needs to be done on the new app.
All furniture, clothing, amenities, terrain parts, animal friendship levels, and items like crafting materials, bugs, fish, and so on acquired in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will transfer to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. However, Leaf Tickets, Leaf Ticket maps, and gifts are not utilized in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, so they won’t 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 in this video:
For more information about the end of online service for Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, click here.
