New Leaf FAQ

>I'm new to Animal Crossing, what do you even do in these games? Doesn't it get boring?

First and foremost Animal Crossing is a "Community Simulator".
You play within a small village inhabited by super kawaii animal villagers.
Animal Crossing contains hundreds of furniture, clothing, fish, bugs and fossils to collect and use to create your own special place.
AC also let's you design your own custom content via an in-game pattern creation tool.
There is no end-game or concrete goals the game gives to you. Those are for YOU to create.
If you're looking for the comfiest of comfy game, Animal Crossing is for you!
Contrary to popular belief, there is always something to do in this game, you just have to find it for yourself.


>What is the difference between previous Animal Crossing games and New Leaf?

In previous games, you were just another villager, in New Leaf you are the mayor!
As a mayor, you can build "Public Works" (various structures like benches/fountains/bridges etc), and enact "Town Ordinances" (i.e laws that can change time in which stores/villagers sleep/awake, make it easier to keep your town looking good etc).
New features include online/offline minigames (Island/Club Tortimer), ability to make/use QR codes for easy design/pattern sharing, ability to visit random/specific villages without the second-party being online (Dream Suite), HH Showcase etc.



>Should I get a physical or digital copy?
	>>Physical Copy
		+ Includes physical box art/manual to add to your collection
		+ You can sell, or loan to friends/family if you feel inclined
		+ Your town data can move freely between different 3DS's without having to use Data Transferring
		+ Data is kept in cartridge, not your system
		+ ((You're not buying into Nintendo's pushing of digital-only games))
		- Won't be on  your system 24/7
		- Might be harder to get near release date
	>>Digital Copy
		+ On your system 24/7, no need to change cartridge
		+ Can be purchased right away on release day
		- Chance of loosing data if your 3DS craps out (Backing up via computer does not save town data)
		/ Depending on your SD card, can increase software speed by a minimal amount



>Can I have multiple town data on the same 3DS?

Yes. Town data is saved in the cartridge. (1 town per cartridge, 4 characters per town) So you can have multiple cartridges for multiple towns, as well as a digital copy on the same 3DS if you so please. However, Spotpass/StreetPass data is only received once per system (Most likely in your last played town).



>Can I visit towns from X region?

There is no region restriction when it comes to visiting towns in other regions of the game. You can even visit another region's town and buy their region-only event items!


>What is the StreetPass function in this game like?

When you StreetPass someone who has New Leaf on their system, you receive a replica of their house, fully furnished, as well as their mayor/character. These houses are located in the H.H Showcase in your town. You can also purchase the items displayed within their house. (albeit they're not DLC/special event items etc)


>Do people still need to "open their gate" for me to visit their town?

Technically no. Via the new "Dream Suite" feature, each game will get a special Dream Code which allows users to visit their town in a "dream state". Because the visitor is in a "dream", anything they do within the dream-village will not effect the actual town, and the mayor of said town can be offline/online without effect. You may still, however, visit towns in actuality through the usual gate opening/train station.



>What else can I do when visiting friends online other than chatting/checking shops etc?

A new feature in New Leaf are the Island mini-games. Up to 3 other people can play online with you. By winning mini-games or "Tours" you receive medals which can be exchanged for special Island-only items.



>Can guys wear dresses?

Yes.



>How do I get those Nintendo themed items I keep seeing?

DS coins. You buy a "fortune cookie" for 2 coins from Nook's (now run by Timmy/Tommy). After opening the cookie you receive a fortune which you can then turn in for special Nintendo themed items. There are 50 fortunes, 5 of which are "misses". (you will receive a normal item)


>How do the QR codes work in this game?

After becoming friends with Sable (speak to her everyday for ~10 days), she will let you use her QR machine. Scanned QR code designs can not be edited.


>What exactly are you able to design?

General, 32x32 square. (Can be used on flag, ground pattern, clothing etc.) PRO design shirt AND dress, both long, short, or no sleeve. PRO design hat (cap or horned/viking version) Face-Cut-Out boards.



>How many designs am I able to have?
10 designs can be active per character. So in total you can use 40 active patterns per village by using 4 characters. You can STORE/SAVE up to 72 designs by using the Able Sisters.



>Does New Leaf use "Animal Tracks" (grass deterioration)?

Unfortunately, they are confirmed. To help try to limit grass deterioration, use designs to create pathways. Grass can not deteriorate under designs. Flowers will NOT help regrow grass, neither will setting your town law to "Beautiful", or using fertilizer. Only confirmed method of regrowing grass is by staying off it for a extended amount of time. The reduction process does not occur if snow or rain is on the ground, so it is possible to more easily grow back grass during those times.


>How do you unlock...?
Just Google/ask thread if it's not in this list,

Island - Pay off your first extension (39,800 bells), Tortimer will visit you the day after, talk to him and he will grant you permission the day after that.

Remaking option (Wake up Cyrus)- 7 days after entering village, Sell 100,000bells+ worth of items to Reese, Have 50+ items in catalogue, and 10+ clothing items. (in catalogue or on hand, doesn't matter)

Shoe Shanks -  10 days after becoming mayor and spending 8000 bells at the Able Sisters' shop

Sham-poodle - 7 days after opening the Shoe Shanks and spending 10,000 bells at the Able Sisters'/Shanks  store.

Club 101 (lol): Unlock timmy/tommy's Convenience Store, then wait a week after collecting signatures from Shrunk. (To unlock the Convenience store, it must be 7 days past becoming mayor, you must pay off your tent, and have either 15 store points or spent at least 12000 bells)

Colored Contacts: 14 days after your first hairstyle change


>Can you 100% NL
Of course, if you feel like living one thousand years and steal someone's promotional items only they could get from all over the world.

Moonrunes for searching for delicious nip QR Codes or what have you:

とび森 (AC:NL)
QRコード　(QR Code)
マイデザイン or マイデザ　(My Design)
ワンピース (one-piece/dress)
シャツ　(shirt)
タイル　(tile)
レンガ　(brick tile/path)
顔出し看板 (face-cut-out board)