Animal Crossing is a HYBRID video game series developed by Nintendo. It was first released in 2001 and has since become one of the most popular franchises in the gaming industry. The term 'Animal Crossing' refers to the game's main feature, which is the ability to interact with a variety of anthropomorphic animals in a virtual world. Players can customize their character, build relationships with the animals, and explore the environment. The term 'HYBRID' in this context refers to the combination of elements from different genres, such as simulation, role-playing, and social interaction.