Players were rightfully upset whenAnimal Crossing: Pocket Campwas announced to be ending. Around the same time, though, it was revealed that there would be a paid version of the game thatAnimal Crossingfans had grown to love calledAnimal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. Many were initially skeptical –a game that was once free to play was being replaced with a paid version; what could be the reason behind this change? Would the paid version offer enough value to justify the cost?
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Completewas released on December 2. Fans have since had the chance to play the new version and compare it to the old. While it’s inherently the same game,changes have been made too, some good and some bad.
What’s Different in Pocket Camp Complete?
Pocket Camp Complete Comes With New Features
Surprisingly, a lot has been added toAnimal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. Unfortunately, there have been a few losses, as well. The first notable loss is thatPocket Camp Completelacksthe same multiplayer functionality as the original game,causing confusion among fansof the originalPocket Camp. Multiplayer was an enjoyable part of Pocket Camp, allowing players to visit other campsites, trade, and gather resources with others.
Now Is Actually The Perfect Time To Get Into Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete is now a one-time purchase, microtransaction-free, and filled with special features for new players to enjoy.
Even with previousAnimal Crossinggames,part of the fun has always been the ability to visit friends. To take away that option inPocket Camp Completehas left a sour taste in many players' mouths. Sadly, there also won’t be any more regular updates to the game.
With no more online services,Pocket Camp Completehas also done away with microtransactions, which is a good thing. Instead, you’ll need to pay a one-time purchase fee for the full game to access all its goodies, andAnimal Crossing: Pocket Camp Completehas a lot of goodies, includingnew features and content.Pocket Camp Completenow has afan-favorite feature fromNew Horizons:custom designs. Players canimport their designs and designs from other creators.
Nintendo even went the extra mile in providing 10 designs for players to redeem on theAnimal Crossing: Pocket Camp Completewebsite.
The fun doesn’t stop there;Pocket Camp Completefeatures stickers to decorate your planners with. There will also be new events and fortune cookies in 2025. Seasonal events will still occur, too, so players won’t lack fun things to do. Another fun improvement toPocket Camp Completeis the ability to walk around your campsite with one of your animal friends. It’s a cute and fun activity, reminiscent of how you can travel alongside Pokémon in certainPokémongames.
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete Sets The Perfect Example For One Other Nintendo Game To Follow
Pocket Camp Complete sets a standard that Nintendo should follow with one of its other mobile games.
Since the monthly subscription service ofPocket Campis no longer a thing,all of its features will be available for free in the base game. This includes Merry Memories, Happy Helper, and Furniture & Fashion content. Plus, the Member Cards have been reworked into Camper Cards.Pocket Camp Completealso features a brand-new location, Whistle Pass, where players can send gifts to their friends, which helps make up for the lack of multiplayer activities.
Finally,there are two new currencies inPocket Camp Completecalled Leaf Tokens and Complete Tickets. Leaf Tokens work similarly to Leaf Tickets, though their value is higher. Complete Tickets are used to purchase items fromPocket Campin the Complete Item Catalog.
How Much Pocket Camp Complete Costs
The Current Price Isn’t The Forever Price
From its release on December 2 until July 13, 2025,Pocket Camp Completecosts $9.99. After January 31, however, the price will increase to $19.99. While I don’t think paying $9.99 is a big deal,the price increase to $19.99 seems extreme, and I personally wouldn’t pay that much for the game.
you may start fresh withPocket Camp Complete, or transfer over your data from the original game. To transfer your data, just sign into your Nintendo Account linked with the original game and select Transfer when prompted.
Going from a free-to-play game (with microtransactions, of course) to a paid version already doesn’t sit well with me. While I would rather pay the one-time price of $9.99 to continue playingPocket Camp, doubling that price seems like a steep jump for a mobile game that lacks true multiplayer functionality.
Should You Buy Pocket Camp Complete?
If You Do, Now Is The Best Time
I love cozy games likeAnimal Crossing, and the series, in general, has given me many fond memories. My firstAnimal Crossinggame wasNew Leaf,which I instantly fell in love with. Then cameNew Horizons, which I picked up during the COVID-19 pandemic.New Horizonsgot me through some stressful and boring days.
WhilePocket CamppredatesNew Horizon, I have only invested a few years in the mobile game. I’m honestly not much of a mobile game person, but I have enjoyed logging intoPocket Campfrom time to time. It’s easy to pick up when I’m in bed and can’t sleep, during long car rides, or even when waiting at my doctor’s office.
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This Animal Crossing: New Horizons fan stunned the Animal Crossing community with their Pokémon-inspired cat villager redesigns.
That said, I knew oncePocket Campwas discontinued and replaced withPocket Camp Complete, I would be buying it. Do I regret my decision? Not really, but that’s because I paid the $9.99 price;I definitely wouldn’t buy it for the increased price.
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Completeis a fun and cozy game to pick up when you’re bored, but if you’re a fan of being able to visit your friends, it’s probably not theAnimal Crossinggame for you. It also might not be for you if you don’t like spending money on mobile games, or you don’t like mobile games in general.The $9.99 price tag is a good deal for what the game is, in my opinion. So, if you’re going to buy it, I would do so before the price increases. Otherwise, I don’t think it’s worth it.
