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You think I'm being smug, or ironic when I say that Mr. Resetti, the pictured mole from Animal Crossing, is the most heroic videogame character in history. You laughed at his antics when he yelled at you, the player, for resetting your game without saving; you angrily shouted at him when he showed up as an assist trophy in Brawl. You think I'm having a laugh.
The truth is, you have no idea how heroic Mr. Resetti is. Have you ever considered that he is the only person -- the only person -- protecting the entireAnimal Crossing unvierse from destruction? That he is the self-appointed defender of the entire village, as he frequently contends with a power (in the form of you, the player) which he cannot hope to ever truly control? That this simple little mole forever fights a losing battle against God Himself in order to protect the lives of his friends?
Hit the jump, and I'll explain further.
The Last of the Time Lords
Resetti the Mole is the only character in the Animal Crossing world whose sole job is to protect the entire universe from paradoxical destruction. Resetti makes sure the game world's timeline doesn't contradict itself. Resetti stands, ever ready, to defend the integrity of his world's timeline against any and all oppressors who would seek to manipulate that timeline for their own personal gain.
In other words, you.
You are the demon who, at every turn, holds the power (and often the desire) to leave the world of Animal Crossing without saving. You endeavor to cheat the system, to manipulate the world in such a way that your actions do not have negative consequences. You ignore the fact that by resetting without saving, you complicate and harm the Animal Crossing village's timeline -- a timeline which, if filled with enough paradoxes, would altogether cease to exist. Unlike most games, Animal Crossing takes place in a persistent world; even if you aren't playing, the characters still go about their business and the world continues...so long as the world's timeline remains paradox-free.
Without Resetti, you'd think it's okay to quit without saving, erasing your progress simply because you gave a letter to the wrong character in the village. You'd think these little paradoxes are harmless; so what if the village is persistent? It's not going to make much of a difference if a character simultaneously does and doesn't have a letter, right? Or if a huge gap of time ceases to exist in the village's timeline simply because you quit a four-hour play session without saving? Resetti is literally the only thing stopping the entire village from collapsing inward on itself due to your paradoxes and contradictions.
You are trying to destroy the Animal Crossing village. Mr. Resetti exists to stop you.
Mole vs. God
You, as player, hold complete power over the Animal Crossing world. Simply by your decision to give gifts or find fossils, you can be held solely responsible for characters entering or leaving the village. By using your real-world powers, you can turn the console off at any time; you can break the Animal Crossing disc into tiny pieces, severing your portal to the world of the village. You, as a human player living in the "real" world, have absolute power over the inhabitants of the Animal Crossing village.
You are God.
Resetti must defeat you.
Mr. Resetti's sacrifices are much more admirable when one considers he fights an enemy he cannot possibly defeat -- you, the player. You live entirely outside his game world, and are thus impervious to any direct assault. Just think of the balls that takes. Resetti intentionally took it upon himself to wage war with an invulnerable deity on a daily basis. Religious people love to throw around the adjective "God-fearing" as if it were a compliment, but Resetti is heroic specifically through his lack of such an emotion.
Resetti certainly does not enjoy his job -- the word "disgruntled" comes to mind -- but he fulfills his duty anyway, for the sake of the universe and because no one else will.
Unconventional warfare
Resetti is forever faced with a conundrum: how does one defeat a God? Being confined to his Gamecube, Resetti cannot exit the game and slap your hand away from the reset button, in the same way we couldn't climb up to Heaven and backhand Jehova for creating cancer. Initially, it would seem that Resetti is completely powerless to stop the player from resetting without saving.
Thankfully, however, Mr. Resetti has a few tricks up his sleeve. As the Player-God cannot be harmed with conventional weaponry, Mr. Resetti uses a far more effective and ingenious tool: annoyance.
Should the player reset without saving, Resetti will do anything in his power to annoy the player so strongly that said Player-God will hopefully refrain from ever touching the reset button.
Resetti engages in progressively more irritating tactics in order to get his point across. Initially, he'll just give long-winded lectures to the player, pointing out the problematic nature of said player's actions. Later on, he'll make you write a long letter to him, apologizing for your actions. Eventually, he'll even perform a fake-reset, frightening the player into thinking all their data from that day was lost. He turns out to have been bluffing, of course -- he does not have the godlike power that you do -- yet the player still feels the same fear and aggravation that Resetti feels on a daily basis. Hell, he even shows up in a different game (Super Smash Bros Brawl), just to further irritate the player and drive his point home!
These tactics are, to put it bluntly, goddamned brilliant. Resetti uses his limited resources as a mere mole and inhabitant of the game to irritate, inconvenience, and otherwise hinder player progress whenever possible. He doesn't need to resort to violence or threats; he simply uses his powers of irritation when they are needed.
Winning a losing battle
I know that a great many gamers in the world despise Mr. Resetti. They call him an annoying, arrogant, asshole of a mole who disrupts the flow of gameplay and pisses them off when they should be having a relaxing time, fishing and collecting furniture in some sort of consumerist heaven. They cannot stand Resetti -- which means, of course, that he's winning.
Resetti fights with a God, and he wins. Sooner or later, the player will stop resetting, and the Animal Crossing village will be safe. Players may decry Resetti's methods, or bitch and moan everytime his assist trophy shows up in Brawl; they may argue with every aspect of his methods and personality.
Resetti does not care.
Resetti gets results.
Resetti holds the fate of an entire world on his shoulders as he fights God Himself, and he actually wins.
He's the most heroic videogame character of all time. Period.
Resetti always reminded me of the Gopher from the animated Winnie the Pooh. Not really FROM the world of the characters, but IN the world enough to prove he knows something they don't, and they will all cease to exists once the book is closed, the VHS is ejected, or in AC's case, the console/game is turned off.
This will forever change my perspective of Resetti.The little guy is a total badass now. Also, I'm pretty sure Resetti wouldn't need 3 games to take down his clone borther. 1ST GAME he would be spewing endless ridicule and annoying stories agiasnt him. Eventually, His brother would just say "Man, it's not worth it."
I had to quit playing Animal Crossing:WW because it ate up too much of my free time. I'm scared to resume because I know I'm up to my neck in friggin' weeds.
That's a pretty amazing analysis. That's a concept Kojima could write one of this crazy destructo-games on.
It kind of reminds me of playing Omikron, and realizing that the game world was aware of itself as a game, and that your soul, inarguably, was trapped in the game, which I never beat.
Maybe that's why I feel so empty to this day . . .
great article, rev. but i still think he's a fucking asshole.
i mean, yeah, he gets results, but he only gets them by being a cock. that's not a good life lesson. that's not good for anyone.
he's the video-game equlivient of a rent-a-cop. sure, he might be right, but he doesn't have to be such a goddamn prick about it, even if he is "winning".
I reset while he is chewing me out. I don't need to take that crud. coincidently I'll turn on my game JUST to turn it offf without saving! HAH TAKE THAT YOU MOLE.
Wow, definitely one of the best articles I've seen yet here on D-Toid. I have a lot more respect for the dude now. xD
You see, I hated his guts for the longest time, because the only time I ever reset the game was when the power went out. And then Resetty pops up to lecture me about the dangers of instant gratification. It pissed me off to no end.
After reading the intro I was planning to comment, "No, I think you are having a laugh," but Goddamn it Rev you won me over. You're brilliant, we should all bow down to you, etc.
Mr. Ressetti was one of my favorite videogame characters before I read this becasue He was an awesome asshole. Now if people ask me, I can get all philisopical and shit.
I never had any run-in's with Resetti until I started letting my nieces play Animal Crossing. Now, I have his theme song memorized. That guy's a dick, but he's only a dick to those that are deserving (or those that play after the deserving lazily turn the game off without resetting.)
I looked ALL AROUND this site for a way to get in touch with you, and found that there were none to be found.
To make a long story short, I want to ask your permission to translate this AMAZING piece of <s>journalism</s> wisdom and publish it on my own (hopefully) amazing gaming blog, www.continue.com.br for the appreciation of all the brazilian gaming community. Several times I wanted to ask this in regards to other of your articles, but couldn't quite bring me to write to you, sir, but today... <a href="http://www.eegra.com/show/sub/do/browse/cat/comics/id/9">you won the internet</a>. I MUST do my part to transmit this <s>article</s> wisdom to everyone in Brazil that can't read in english.
Of course I will give you and DToid all the credit that is due (I already link to here all the time anyways). And you can even leave a message to all the brazilians out there. Remember: the women in Brazil are HOT.
Reach me at stratofabio at gmail dot com if you want to authorize or send me to the pits of hell to play Jenga on the Wii. Thanks.
Resetti's fatal mistake is that because he is so hilarious, he makes me (and I'm probably not the only one) want to reset MORE just to hear what he has to say.
"I reset while he is chewing me out. I don't need to take that crud. coincidently I'll turn on my game JUST to turn it offf without saving! HAH TAKE THAT YOU MOLE."
are you kidding me .since when this loser was a hero.he never saved anyone,he never fought anything,he just bores people to death with his pointless reatared nonsense.comparing restit to soild snake is like saying that spongebob can beat chuck norris.
articles like these are pretty much why I joined Destructoid. Top Notch, Rev.
I've been hesitant to use this particular adjective, but this article warrants it.
This piece if Epicly Radtacular.
is*, damnit.
I totally fell for the fake reset the first time he did it.
I love you.
Awesome. Don't fuck with the Resetti
Great article Rev.
Resetti always reminded me of the Gopher from the animated Winnie the Pooh. Not really FROM the world of the characters, but IN the world enough to prove he knows something they don't, and they will all cease to exists once the book is closed, the VHS is ejected, or in AC's case, the console/game is turned off.
Spooky.
Awesome article, Anthony. :)
I wouldn't think one would be able to pull this out into a full piece this well but you have done it. Bravo Rev.
Animal Crossing (and WW) is the greatest game of all time. Mr.Resetti made me feel so bad for forgetting to save. His words punish my very essence.
"You are God. Resetti must defeat you."
That needs to be put on a t-shirt. Awesome job man.
Yes! This was awesome, Anthony. Made me want to replay AC all over again.
This will forever change my perspective of Resetti.The little guy is a total badass now. Also, I'm pretty sure Resetti wouldn't need 3 games to take down his clone borther. 1ST GAME he would be spewing endless ridicule and annoying stories agiasnt him. Eventually, His brother would just say "Man, it's not worth it."
I think every game needs a Resetti.
As for a way to defeat Resetti, I think the only way is to hope he eventually winds up looking in a mirror and starts talking.
I'm not joking when I say that this is one of my favorite things I've read on the Internet in a while. Fantastic job!
Ugggh, now I want to play AC again. But I will refrain, at least until a wii version comes out...
Dammit...now I'm gonna HAVE to play Animal Crossing. =(
Nice write up Anthony.
Was it just me, or did that blog sound a lot like One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest?
I had to quit playing Animal Crossing:WW because it ate up too much of my free time. I'm scared to resume because I know I'm up to my neck in friggin' weeds.
whoa.
So they made one of these for DS, right? :)
That's a pretty amazing analysis. That's a concept Kojima could write one of this crazy destructo-games on.
It kind of reminds me of playing Omikron, and realizing that the game world was aware of itself as a game, and that your soul, inarguably, was trapped in the game, which I never beat.
Maybe that's why I feel so empty to this day . . .
*stands up & applauds*
I scratched my Animal Crossing disc. Said universe is now destroyed.
PG: 1
Resetti: 0
great article, rev. but i still think he's a fucking asshole.
i mean, yeah, he gets results, but he only gets them by being a cock. that's not a good life lesson. that's not good for anyone.
he's the video-game equlivient of a rent-a-cop. sure, he might be right, but he doesn't have to be such a goddamn prick about it, even if he is "winning".
but fantastic article.
Mr. Rosetti scourges my soul with his mighty pickax.
Brilliant article.
Nobody messes with Resetti.
Also, I have the plush Resetti. He is ten hundred kinds of awesome.
I love you Rev. I love you so fucking much.
Fucking...AWESOME
yeah I've had my fights with him! and I caved in :-(
Rev, I WANT TO BEAR YOUR CHILDREN!!!
I reset while he is chewing me out. I don't need to take that crud. coincidently I'll turn on my game JUST to turn it offf without saving! HAH TAKE THAT YOU MOLE.
This deserves a Pulitzer prize. So much win to be had.
Fantastic article, Resseti is badass!
Simply brilliant.
"Made me want to replay AC all over again."
How in the hell do you replay AC?
Also Phoenix Gamma... You didn't win, Resetti lives on in the hearts and eyes of children everywhere.
Wow, definitely one of the best articles I've seen yet here on D-Toid. I have a lot more respect for the dude now. xD
You see, I hated his guts for the longest time, because the only time I ever reset the game was when the power went out. And then Resetty pops up to lecture me about the dangers of instant gratification. It pissed me off to no end.
Superb article as always Rev.
Epically Radtacular, indeed.
Bravo.
After reading the intro I was planning to comment, "No, I think you are having a laugh," but Goddamn it Rev you won me over. You're brilliant, we should all bow down to you, etc.
I love you.
Mr. Ressetti was one of my favorite videogame characters before I read this becasue He was an awesome asshole. Now if people ask me, I can get all philisopical and shit.
Bloody good article i actually stopped a match in SSBB first time i say him to read what he said.
Kudos to you Mr. Anthony. Kudos are in dire order.
So basically...
I never had any run-in's with Resetti until I started letting my nieces play Animal Crossing. Now, I have his theme song memorized. That guy's a dick, but he's only a dick to those that are deserving (or those that play after the deserving lazily turn the game off without resetting.)
What a great read. You've done it again Rev.
Give this man his own video game!
Dear Mr. Sir Citizen Reverend Anthony,
I looked ALL AROUND this site for a way to get in touch with you, and found that there were none to be found.
To make a long story short, I want to ask your permission to translate this AMAZING piece of <s>journalism</s> wisdom and publish it on my own (hopefully) amazing gaming blog, www.continue.com.br for the appreciation of all the brazilian gaming community. Several times I wanted to ask this in regards to other of your articles, but couldn't quite bring me to write to you, sir, but today... <a href="http://www.eegra.com/show/sub/do/browse/cat/comics/id/9">you won the internet</a>. I MUST do my part to transmit this <s>article</s> wisdom to everyone in Brazil that can't read in english.
Of course I will give you and DToid all the credit that is due (I already link to here all the time anyways). And you can even leave a message to all the brazilians out there. Remember: the women in Brazil are HOT.
Reach me at stratofabio at gmail dot com if you want to authorize or send me to the pits of hell to play Jenga on the Wii. Thanks.
Aw, no HTML? Well, you get the idea.
snake
"I'm no hero"
Mr. Resetti vs. Hideo Kojima in MGS5!
+1
so the way I feel everytime I am drunk is true
=^_^= Yay! me now bow your heads
bow them or I will bow them for you
Awesome article. xD
But FFS, use a word other than Jehova. <_< Stupid mistranslations ftl.
Resetti's fatal mistake is that because he is so hilarious, he makes me (and I'm probably not the only one) want to reset MORE just to hear what he has to say.
Win.
I'm convinced. Great read!
@ robotfart: Exactly .
Ha ha best artical ever seriously never thought of it but *makes saluting motion* thank you mr. resetti you are a true hero .
"I reset while he is chewing me out. I don't need to take that crud. coincidently I'll turn on my game JUST to turn it offf without saving! HAH TAKE THAT YOU MOLE."
hahahahahaha
are you kidding me .since when this loser was a hero.he never saved anyone,he never fought anything,he just bores people to death with his pointless reatared nonsense.comparing restit to soild snake is like saying that spongebob can beat chuck norris.
@bowser is evil stupid
Spongebob Square Pants CLEARLY could beat Chuck Norris. To death.
I dont know how you pulled this out of your ass but this is epic.
There needs to be more articles like this.
Rev, you are officially god of Awesome.
luv you
I love you.
Dear god, it's true.
Can internet writers win Pulitzers? They should.
Article of the ****ing year.
What the fuck is so great about animal crossing?
...damn, you're awesome.
I'll... never think of him the same way again. Thanks.
I think.
I've never played Animal Crossing because I wrote it off to be a gimmick. And thusly, I (God) have abandoned their world.
wow this makes me want to dust off my copy of animal crossing that I probably haven't played in half a decade
Hey! *Lookie me* I can state the obvious too. Jack ass.
Oh Animal Crossing..
I forget why I stopped playing, but I now hope that I didn't forget to save the last time I played..
Great article, I had this happen to me once in Wild World. Article of the month!
You know as good as this article is, It still won't beat nerdcore bikini's.
This was a fantastic read, well done sir!
oh man, that was the best article I've read ever. Great job.