As a kid with a GameCube and a budding love for cozy games, I played alotofAnimal Crossingback in the day, and that’s a pattern that’s stuck with me for decades. Please don’t look at how many hours I have in New Horizons; 2020 was a different time.

But there are a few dozen villagers I still miss from the old games, the cuties who got left behind as the series moved forward with time. With rumblings of a new entry in the series on Nintendo Switch 2, here are the villagers I hope to see again.

Belle from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

Star Sign

Cancer

I love it when the villagers end up being themed as complete representations of their species, and Belle fits the bill to a tee withthe cow villagers in Animal Crossing. Her name comes from the iconic cowbells you’ll see on free-range cows or those on mountain farms so that their farmers can find them, which is precious.

Additionally, her catchphrase might be “cuddles” in the English games, but it’s “nyu” in Japanese, which is their onomatopoeia for “moo.” Plus, she uses the Petal Parasol, so you’ll seethis bouncy little bovineout with a bouquet on rainy days.

Aziz from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“RAWR”

Pisces

I usually tend to love the lion villagers – Bud lived on my island for over a year in ACNH, and Lionel came for a while during that time, too – but Aziz was such a fun character back in the original Animal Crossing. I mean, he roars at you as a catchphrase!

Not only that, but “Aziz” is a powerfulname in Arabic culture. He’s even got an establishedfriendly rivalry with Genji, according to his e-Reader card from back in the day, which would be fun to revive in my next new town.

Hector from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“Coo-HAH”

Aries

I’d never have guessed Hector to be a Jock villager just by looking at him – he gives me a more bookish vibe, like Lionel or Velma.His house is well-decorated, but it doesn’t exactly scream Jock to me, either. I’d never call him a poser or anything, though; he’d beat me up.

That said, I’d still love to move him into a smarter neighborhood I design in a new town. I’d redecorate his house a la Happy Home Paradise and give him an equal number of bookcases as he has exercise machines.

Oxford from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“Bully, eh”

Taurus

I’ve always loved the Cranky villagers, ever since the old Animal Crossing days when they were sort of hard to befriend (and tended to be pretty rude along the way). Everything about Oxford fits in with what I said about Belle, perfectly encapsulating the species – and being rather posh in doing so.

Not only is Oxford an ox himself, but his Cranky nature makes him pretty bullish and bull-headed. His catchphrase is British slang for a positive thing, and he’s even a Taurus to tie this full package together in a neat little bow.

Twiggy from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“CHIRP”

Leo

Any of the villagers with extremely expressive faces never fail to make me laugh, and Twerp always looks like he’s judging the heck out of you. His furrowed brows, his crooked mouth, his little wing-on-hip pose? I miss sass of this caliber.

His name and catchphrases are both bird-related, checking that box off for more, and while I’m confused about his golf lounge slash break room of a house, I don’t feel bad having fun judging him if he’s getting so much out of judging me, too.

Champ from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“Choo CHOO”

Gemini

Champ is the newest villager on this list, but that just means a wider range of players have gotten to meet him over the years. Champ the chimpis a longtime fan favorite, and I know I’m not the only chump chomping at the bit to get him back sooner than later.

With prominent ears and a cute little pawprint on his shirt, this energetic little Jock lives in a cute outdoor patio of a home that I simply adore. His train set even goes perfectly with his catchphrase to boot.

Leigh from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

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Sagittarius

The next two villagers on my list of who I’d love to see make a comeback someday could easily fit together as a fun package deal, and this is because they’ve both got some really fun Native American theming.

This Peppy lady won’t be underestimated, though, if that red warpaint on her face is anything to go by! Her rustic cabin home and desert-themed Gyroids in the living room would feel really cozy in a new game someday, and I’d be just as happy as a Peppy villager myself to see her again.

Quetzal from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“SKREEE”

Virgo

Continuing with the Native American theming, Quetzal’s name is based on the Aztec god of wisdom Quetzalcoatl, and his eagle scream of a catchphrase feels powerfully appropriate accordingly. Like Leigh, he’s got a themed bedroom, with large totems in the far corners of an otherwise natural ranch home.

I’ve only placed Quetzal higher, though, because he’s the only eagle who didn’t move on with the series when Wild World launched in 2005. After 20 years, it’d be cool to get him back in the game to complete the collection!

Sven from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“Buh-uh-ud”

Capricorn

Goats are known to be sage and wise, so having an elderly male sheep shambling around my town back in the original Animal Crossing was always kind of adorable. He’s even a Capricorn, symbolized by the goat, and I love a good play on species.

He’s even a lazy villager, which makes sense given the lower energy levels stereotypical of the elderly, so I guess I can see why they took him out ifthe Lazy villagersare like they’ve become, more playful and airheaded than before. Maybe someday, old man…

Woolio from Animal Crossing in front of where the triangular grass meets the beach in the original Animal Crossing.

“Biz-aaa”

Woolio is easily the coolest villager Nintendo has ever made for the Animal Crossing series, so cool that it’s literally the basis for his name. This rad little guy has permanent blackout shades on above his green star face paint (that slide down when he’s surprised), and his striped warm-tone horns contrast perfectly with his bright purple wool.

He’s an Aries sheep, and I don’t think I need to reiterate again how much I love that joke. The Dark Polka Shirt that appears as a scarf, like shirts do on sheep villagers, brings the whole look together in a fun and unforgettable fashion.

I miss you, Woolio. Hopefully we can party again together soon, dude.