Parents' Guide to

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

By Mark Raby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Cute town sim about friendship and spending virtual money.

Game Nintendo 3DS 2013
Animal Crossing: New Leaf Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Animal Crossing: New Leaf Game: Screenshot #1
  • Animal Crossing: New Leaf Game: Screenshot #2
  • Animal Crossing: New Leaf Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

See all
age 7+

Based on 9 parent reviews

Tessa C.
Tessa C. Adult
June 19, 2020
age 5+

Charming and Harmless, Who Doesn't Love Animal Crossing

The is the most innocent and harmless video game you can buy for a kid besides like a Dora one or something. Everyone loves animal crossing, it entertains anyone from age 5 to adults. Basically as long as you are old enough to figure out controls and how the fictional economy works you can play it. It is a bit slow to start off but so fun and relaxing to play. Unlike apps, you can buy this once and thdn never have to hear your kid whining for a virtual item worth 99 cents. It's a one and done. It's worth it just pay the thirty dollars.There are a few grumpy characters and one cat acts like royalty but all the animals are generally so positive and friendly Pretty! This game can teach hard work ethics to kids, you literally have to pay off a home loan instead of poof her is your virtual mansion like most games. Isabelle is a good role model. Talk abput a working girl, more then just 9 to 5 like the song. Every villager has gone to bed but there's Isabelle, still awake and working, avaliableto help you. She kinda the epitome of what a single working mom must do. Pretty aesthetic too I love the purple water in evenings. It's so cute and charming, nothing at all is wrong with this game and it's for all ages. Just don't use the 3d feature on the 3ds. You'll puke or get a headache.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
Heather M.
Heather M. Parent
July 9, 2019
age 8+

Surprisingly educational and fun

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
See all 9 parent reviews

What’s It About?

ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF won't really surprise anyone who has any knowledge of the Animal Crossing franchise. The same core aspects are still here -- build a house from the ground up, earn virtual money, and become the coolest person in your town. As to be expected, though, there are some neat new twists that reinvigorate this franchise. For example, players can opt to become their town's mayor, which gives them unprecedented control of the town, like dictating when stores are allowed to be open and deciding where to build new bridges and fountains. There is also an island players can travel to in order to play mini-games and win prizes.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9):
Kids say (53):

Animal Crossing: New Leaf does exactly what it should, exactly what anyone would expect it to do. It keeps the winning formula of letting you become a citizen in a cute and adorable town and creates an interesting and well-balanced simulation about living and participating in small town life. This is the same theme that has been around since the original Animal Crossing game, but New Leaf adds just enough new content and new interactions to appeal to the existing and very loyal fan base.

Does it break exceptionally new ground? No. Does it provide a compelling reason for people who have never had interest in Animal Crossing to give this game a closer look? Not really. For those who are already hooked on the franchise, does it add enough flair to justify buying a brand new Animal Crossing title? You bet it does. This fun and gentle simulation game is a great way for kids to explore a world filled with cute characters.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the importance of setting video game limits. With a game as engrossing as this, you may want to set up rules for how long kids can play and at what times.

  • How different are the characters in the game from the people you interact with in real life? What do you think a real town would be like if all the residents acted like the characters in the game?

  • Does this game make you want to go outside and participate in gardening, fishing, etc., in the real world? Why or why not?

Game Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate