Secret code

A secret code is a 28-character password used in Animal Crossing to give and receive in-game items. The codes are alphanumeric and are usually displayed as two rows of 14 characters each, that being the format that they are received from and input into the game. All uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet, the numbers 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, as well as the pound (#) and at sign (@) are valid code characters. The number zero and uppercase "o" are interchangeable. When generated by Nook, a capital "i" can be distinguished from a lowercase "l" by the serif drawn at both the top and bottom of its stem. Notice also that the number "1" is never generated in a secret code.

Types of codes

Animal Crossing makes use of a variety of code types, each of which serves a different purpose and has a different origin. All code types follow the same description as outlined in the introduction and thus appear very similar to the untrained eye.

Player-to-player codes

As an alternative to online play, the player-to-player code system allows players to send items to anyone in the world so long as they know the receiving player's character and town name. These codes can be both received and redeemed at Nook's shop via the "Other things" menu. Unlike other code types which can be redeemed by any player in any town, player-to-player codes are specific to the character and town name combination they were generated for. This was done to mimic the experience of a personalized delivery service. Nook will only generate passwords for items that are orderable from the catalog (plus Mushrooms and Candy).

Prior to the discovery of universal codes which work for any player regardless of name/town combination, a group named Project Hyrule was formed whose sole goal was to amass a list of player-to-player codes for every item in the game. To take advantage of such a list, each member used the credentials Link in Hyrule when creating their town. After the advent and proliferation of code generators the group eventually became redundant, however their dedicated cryptologists did manage to generate many universal codes, which when redeemed at Nook's provide the player with a gift from "Project Hyrule."

Universal codes

Codes of this type will work for any player, making them much more popular among the Animal Crossing community. Additionally, they can be used to acquire almost any item (including some beta items), whereas player-to-player codes may only be generated for orderable items. Universal codes were originally discovered by accident as players (sometimes intentionally) input the wrong code to Nook. They were also used by Nintendo to distribute the Mario Theme, with codes for individual pieces listed in various issues of Nintendo Power magazine.

NES contest codes

Of the 19 NES games located in the game's code, only 15 can have NES contest codes generated for them (the remaining games being known as the Forbidden Four). Soccer, Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong 3, Punch Out!! and Clu Clu Land D were exclusively given out on Animal Crossing's official website using NES contest codes and are otherwise unobtainable; universal codes cannot be generated for these titles. As the game's official site has since been removed, these five games are now solely available via code generators capable of creating this specialized code type. Like universal and player-to-player codes, NES contest codes are redeemed through Nook.

Villager codes

Found on the back of Animal Crossing E-Reader cards, these codes include an extra key icon in their first line (for a total of three lines of code), and must be sent to villagers via letter. In their reply, the villager will include a present with an item inside. If the player sends a code to the villager pictured on the front of the e-card (e.g. sends the code on the back of Bob's card to Bob), that villager will provide the player with a random NES game instead of a regular item from the catalog. These codes can be particularly hazardous if mistyped, so if using or generating codes it is recommended to use universal codes instead.

Cross-compatibility

The secret codes used in Animal Crossing are not compatible with any Japanese titles, nor can English code generators create codes that will work for Japanese games. Japanese universal codes do exist, however, and Japanese code generators may have been developed independently of their English counterparts, however their current status is unknown.

Code redemption limit

Nook will only distribute three items via password per game load. For this reason players will often trade items in groups divisible by three. To redeem more items, the player must save and quit and then reload the game.

External links

• Code generator & decoder (browser-based)
• Code generator & decoder (downloadable)