There has been hacking since Animal Crossing for the Nintendo Gamecube. In the original Gamecube version, there was action replay and universal codes. The most valuable item sold for only around 5,000 bells, so hacking was not very big through trading. Action Replay could however do a lot more and give you unlimited bells.

With WiFi in Animal Crossing Wild World for the DS, hacking became more involved. Hackers could now give away items selling for 400,000 bells, about 100 times more than the most expensive item in the last game. Hackers could also place items in other people’s towns that would make it impossible for them to play their game, called seeds. People had to be careful when choosing who they played with.

In Animal Crossing City Folk for the Wii, there was a decline in hacking as there were no seeds. However, supply towns were made and royal crowns were very common, and the value of items changed a lot. Nintendo even made an item, the ABD, which required 999,999,999 bells, making it difficult for legit players to get it. Custom items were also made, such as the lightsaber.

With AC:3DS, Nintendo will most likely try (or have found a way...) to reduce the amount of hackers by making it harder to hack. It is likely however, there will be some way to hack it, and there will be many give-aways offering hacked bells.

NOTE: ACC does not promote hacking. Universal Codes, Seeding, and Hacked DLC (HDLC) items are banned from ACC and may result in a notification. Always check with the ACC rules before posting anything about hacked items, or hacking discussions. If you're still unsure, PT a moderator and ask them.