Animal Crossing returns to Europe, realising its true potential on the Nintendo DS...

Achieving sales of over 2 million copies to date and helping to continue establishing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, Animal Crossing: Wild World finally makes it way to Europe and it's unquestionably been worth the wait.

A follow up of sorts to the heavily delayed (in Europe at least) GameCube release of Animal Crossing, Wild World isn't a sequel in the strictest sense of the word but more a remake of the original game which accomplishes a truer vision of the original concept.

Animal Crossing hasn't exactly enjoyed the same level of success across Europe as it has in both Japan and North America. Presumably style conscious gamers addicted to the latest uninspired shooter clone or sports brand, didn't entirely take to a game without a purpose; a game that has no plot; a game described by Nintendo as a "communication game", but one that is better described as a cross between Changing Rooms and Location, Location, Location.

Wild World begins in customary Animal Crossing tradition; it's not too long before you're in your town, talking to a cast of strange looking characters with equally deranged things to say and a hefty mortgage hanging over your head - yes this may be aimed towards a younger market in traditional Nintendo fashion, however it certainly doesn't steer away from the harsh realities of life.

Despite the initial shock Animal Crossing is fundamentally a hilarious pastiche on life itself; early on in the game you'll find yourself arising and leaving the home to come across a persistent insurance salesman who simply won't take no for an answer, the only way to get rid of him is by saying yes but not being able to accept the fee! It's all about getting to know the cast of characters that live in your town, some of which are there from the start, others join as the game progresses; if you've missed out on previous titles, it's very much the living, breathing gameworld that many titles aspire to, but in a classical Nintendo style - you can't help but have fun whilst playing.

Because there are no set objectives, no storyline to pull you through or even a scoreline to judge your success, Animal Crossing can be a strange experience to begin with. Slowly you'll realise it's all about making what you want from it; there's tasks to complete for the villagers, things to find, events to enjoy, fishing tournaments to enter, costumes to design and plenty more - just remember to make your mortgage payments and send out the trash to keep the Happy Room Academy (HRA) in high spirits. It's also a genuinely amusing videogame, with a multi-layered approach to entertain gamers of all ages - just don't be put off by the simplistic visuals.

Compared to its GameCube predecessor Animal Crossing feels far less like a chore on the DS, with less emphasis placed on completing "Fed-Ex" quests for the various inhabitants. As a result the game feels slightly less structured and a little more confusing to begin with, but ultimately far more diverse and enjoyable. If you were one of the few to pick up Animal Crossing on the GameCube, there is a question as to whether Wild World presents enough of a new experience, however this ultimately depends on how much of an AC nut you consider yourself to be.

Naturally the big change comes from the introduction of online play via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Animal Crossing has wanted to be an online game since the concept was initially devised, and thankfully the DS finally provides the platform for this to happen. Unlike titles such as Mario Kart DS, Wild World requires players specifically to enter friend codes to allow them into your town; naturally this is to stop strangers from running amok, chopping down trees and generally being a nuisance, however more extreme actions have also been noted. You're also free to visit your friends' towns, opening up possibilities of discovering rare items, trading clothes designs and challenging friends to competitions. With a social element at heart Animal Crossing: Wild World benefits immensely from this inclusion, however taking full advantage of this requires knowing enough people with DS' and a passion for Animal Crossing - remember handing out your unique code to strangers isn't advised.

Perhaps the greatest thing about Animal Crossing: Wild World is the fact that the concept is perfectly suited to a handheld format. It's a game that's best played regularly in small doses, and as such it's obviously far simpler to switch a DS on then hook up the GameCube every time you want to play. Further still the stylus makes for an ideal control setup, providing greater precision when designing your own clothe designs and tapping out letters.

A game quite unlike any other, a game that is wonderfully Nintendo at heart; Animal Crossing: Wild World will either leave a lasting impression, becoming part of your daily routine or have you questioning what the fuss is all about right from the start.

Ultimately the Nintendo DS presents the perfect platform for Animal Crossing; it may be a little too similar to its GameCube predecessor, but being on a handheld and supporting Wi-Fi more then makes up for any such complaints.