How to Get a Golden Shovel in Animal Crossing

This video shows how to get a golden shovel in Animal Crossing for Nintendo GameCube. The basic steps are as follows:

Step 1: Buy a 2nd shovel.
Step 2: Find the day's glowing spot and dig up the bells.
Step 3: For best results, make sure the glowing spot is not on the edge of a cliff or river bank, and make sure the spot is not adjacent to a rock.
Step 4: Bury the shovel.
Step 5: Wait a few days.
Step 6: Come back to the fully grown golden tree and shake it.

Be aware that not all spots are good, and trees will not grow in certain spots. The entire process will likely take multiple attempts, so have some patience. Once you finally get your golden shovel, you can dig up money randomly, such as at the end of this video. Have fun!

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Since posting this video, I've been getting asked how to get the other golden tools. You may want to check a strategy guide on the web for full details, but this is the basics:

Golden Axe: You have to make your town perfect (according to the wishing well) and maintain it for 14-15 days. That means pulling weeds and making sure each acre has enough trees, but not too many. For most acres, you will need 12-14 trees. Count them. If there's less than 12, plant some more and check back to make sure they don't die. If there's more than 14, cut some down. The wishing well will sometimes give you tips telling what needs to be done. You'll need to play every day during this time to pull weeds, or you risk losing perfect status and will have to start all over.

Golden Rod: Catch every type of fish. The next day, Tortimer will give you the golden rod.

Golden Net: Collect every type of insect. The next day, Tortimer will give you the golden net.

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