Nintendo's Animal Crossing changes game of politics in US and Asia

Hit Switch title and apps like TikTok become spaces for virtual politicking and protest

U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden has found a new campaign platform -- Nintendo's latest Animal Crossing game. (Source photos by AP and Kyodo)

JADA NAGUMO, Nikkei staff writer

September 2, 2020 17:07 JST

Updated on September 2, 2020 20:21 JST

TOKYO -- Nintendo's "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" game has gone from being a surprise hit, to a forum for Hong Kong pro-democracy protests and most lately a place for U.S. political messages, highlighting the potential for games to become a new political platform.

In the U.S., Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has decided to use Animal Crossing in his campaign to unseat President Donald Trump in elections on Nov. 3.