Jacob’s Mantis

On Sunday, Hamlet asked me to dig up his time capsule that he had me bury last month. So I went to the northwest corner of town, dug up the time capsule, and then returned it to Hamlet. After reading the letter he wrote himself, he concluded that he was immature back then.

Hamlet: Hoo! This is embarrassing! I was so immature back then!
But you’re a mature little hamster now, huh?

But he thanked me for returning it, and he gave me a polka-dot sofa as my reward.

Yesterday, I was minding my own business, banging a rock, when Pashmina came up to me and interrupted me!  If you thought I was surprised, you should’ve seen her! She was so shocked that she had a little accident!

Pashmina: Well, well. If it isn't dude! I peed!In another part of town, I thought I saw something unusual about this Jacob’s ladder…

An orchid mantis on a Jacob's ladder.It was an orchid mantis! I know they appeared on white flowers, but I don’t recall seeing one on a Jacob’s ladder before. I moved closer and caught it.

I caught an orchid mantis! My eyes see all!I then made a dream visit to Villager’s town of Squam (dream address 5900-5539-4323). Update: The new dream address is 4F00-000F-CC39. The paths there are quite unique: They have a green grass/plant design, along with cookies, candy, strawberries, and jack-o’-lanterns. I like it! It’s very colorful!

A statue fountain and the path in Squam.A windmill in Squam.Tonight, I found a letter from Big Top in the mail. He sent me this white cap, and I decided to wear it…at least for today.

My white cap.Beth came over for a short visit, and she took a seat on the bench. I used the opportunity to release some bugs in her hair. And even though she couldn’t see it, I also held out a frog that squirmed all over the back of her head. I’m sure she’ll find the frog slime on her pillow when she goes to bed later. You’re welcome, Beth.

Beth sits on the bench.Later on, I saw a balloon present flying by as I crossed my brick bridge. I had my net out, so I hit it with my net just as it was about to come up over the cliff. That knocked it down to my private beach, where it will likely puzzle dream visitors for weeks or months to come. (I’m too lazy to swim over there just to pick it up).

A present that I knocked onto my private beach.Then again, it might be cool to do that repeatedly to see how many presents I could get down there. Instead of a private beach, it could be a present beach. 🙂

My recent dream visitors have been August from Holowyn and 🙂 (yes, a smiley face) from Donut. Thanks for stopping by!

One last note: Yesterday I put up a new ACCF video showing me pitfalling all ten of my villagers. Even though it’s not New Leaf, I think many of you may enjoy it. Here’s the link if you’re interested: ACCF: Pitfalling My Villagers.

75 Million Bells

Last night, Gulliver was down on the beach, talking about the Emerald Isle. I knew he was headed to Ireland.

Gulliver: It's to the point they sometimes call this place the Emerald Isle.When I put some money into my bank account, my balance reached 75 million bells! I’m three-quarters of the way to my goal!

Your current balance is 75,000,000 bells.Today, Gulliver sent me a shamrock clock from Ireland. I set it aside for Michael to pick up at some point. We can use it in the town of Arrested.

Beth came over to shop as I made my daily walk around town. She joined me as I visited Bob. Bob was talking about the language that bats use…

Bob: Kee! Kee kee kee kee!That’s battish for “I am laughing at Beth’s hat.” Just kidding, he said it meant “let’s hang out soon.” Sure thing, Bob.

If Bob thought Beth’s hat was funny, he should have seen her beard! Yikes!

Beth tries on a beard accessory.I sent the bearded lady home soon after that. Later on, I went out to the island for some bug-catching. I earned over 100,000 bells worth of bugs.

I caught a goliath beetle! Hah! He doesn't look so big!I then wrapped up my night with a visit to Club LOL. I asked K.K. for a happy song, and he played Señor K.K. for me.

K.K.: Here's a groovy track that's got your back, Jeff. I call it Senor K.K.Luna told me my most recent dream visitor was Rebecca from Brighton. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

New Leaf Update Announced

Yesterday, Nintendo announced an Animal Crossing: New Leaf update that’s coming this autumn. The most notable addition (at least of what’s been mentioned so far) is Amiibo support.

You can scan an Amiibo card or figure to invite that villager to your campsite! Then, you may be able to get them to move into town–if you have a free spot, of course. This will make it much easier to get a specific villager you want (if you have that character’s Amiibo card).

Screenshot of the New Leaf update, in which Wisp says: This is your cue to grab an Animal Crossing amiibo! Hurry---tap it to the bottom screen!
Wisp is back! Screenshot courtesy of Nintendo.

This does sound like a ploy to sell more Amiibo cards, but there’s more to the New Leaf update than just that. There will also be collaborations with other Nintendo series, with Splatoon being the one confirmed example so far.

Nintendo’s announcement shows two players dressed as Callie and Marie, and there are also new Callie and Marie villagers! Perhaps they only show up if you scan their Amiibo figures? It makes you wonder what other Amiibo figures might have corresponding villagers!

I imagine that the New Leaf update will also include connectivity to the Animal Crossing mobile app that’s also coming this autumn. I’m glad to see New Leaf getting some new content 3+ years later. It will likely bring some fans back to New Leaf, and may reinvigorate interest in the series overall.

My only concern? I’m wondering if this New Leaf update indicates that a possible NX version of Animal Crossing is farther away than we thought or hoped. Because I am soooo ready for a new Animal Crossing game.

But if you want to stock up on Amiibo Cards to make sure you have the card of your favorite villager, here are some Amazon links to purchase them: Series 1Series 2Series 3Series 4

And remember, if your 3DS isn’t a New 3DS (or New 3DS XL), you will also need an NFC Reader to be able to scan the cards.

Note: More information about the update was revealed on September 1st.

As for what’s going on in my town lately, Beth came over for a short visit today. She sold some stuff at Re-Tail and then followed me around for a bit. When I heard a frog croaking in the pond, I knew I had to catch it and show it off. 😛

I caught a frog! Hop to it, froggie!I actually caught a second one a minute or two later, and I put them both in my house. Sadly, each time you start up the game, the frogs will synchronize their croaks and there will be long pauses in between. I wish the frogs would croak at irregular intervals, because that could create a continuous cascade of croaking and provide a profoundly pleasing pond-like presence.

After kicking Beth out, I caught a black bass. Rolf came over and started eating it up!

I caught a black bass! I've got some class!Actually he just wanted to chat about macaroni and cheese. I guess he’s not a strict carnivore, but maybe that’s a good thing. He’d probably eat the residents of Forest otherwise, including Mr. Mayor!

And last but not least, Hamlet told me he heard a story about him being a prince from another planet! I wonder if he’s been eating some of Rolf’s mac and cheese, which may have been laced with hallucinatory catnip.

Hamlet: According to the story, I'm a prince from another planet! That's a tough spot to be put in!


Update: I just wanted to add that the upcoming New Leaf update isn’t the first time Splatoon and Animal Crossing have crossed paths. Nintendo also posted a Splatoon room and Splatoon patterns (including face-cutout standees) in the official Japanese Nintendo dream town. For more info on that, see this blog entry from 2015: Splatoon in NoJ Dream Town.