Animal Crossing is a social simulation video game series created by Japanese designers Katsuya Eguchi and Hisashi Nogami for Nintendo. In the game, players assume the role of a human who arrives in a village populated by various anthropomorphized animals.

The first release of Animal Crossing occurred in 2001, and the series has since seen several installments:

• Wild World (2005)
• City Folk (2008)
• New Leaf (2012)
• Plaza (2013)
• Happy Home Designer (2015)
• Amiibo Festival (2015)
• Pocket Camp (2017)
• New Horizons (2020)

Logo History

The Animal Crossing logo has evolved over time to reflect the series' warm, welcoming, and homey vibe.

2002 (Original Logo) The original logo features the series' name written on what resembles a wooden door sign. The words "Welcome to" reinforce the idea of inviting the player into the world of Animal Crossing. The letters have an irregular, hand-drawn appearance, contributing to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the game. The clock, which is not digital, ties into the game’s use of real-world time, adding another layer of warmth and realism to the logo's design.

2019 (New Horizons Logo) The logo for Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch builds on the original design, with subtle changes that enhance its vibrancy. The colors are more vivid, and the wooden board design is now more pronounced, with darker elements added to increase the depth of the texture. The lettering has also been altered, appearing more three-dimensional, as if carved into the wood, creating a stronger connection to the theme of the game.

2015 (Japanese Version) The Japanese version of the logo since 2015 reflects the same warmth as the original but adapts it for the Japanese audience. The name of the game is carved into several wooden plates, surrounded by leaves, with the English name appearing beneath it in a font similar to the original logo. This version keeps the core essence of the logo, emphasizing comfort and the feeling of home.