Animal Crossing: New Horizons Updates and Releases on Switch 2, Here's What's New

With almost 50 million copies downloaded since March 2021, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the second best-selling video game on Nintendo Switch, preceded only by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The latest installment in the Animal Crossing series, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is preparing to introduce many free new features for everyone, as well as an upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with improved resolution and the ability to use the mouse-style controls of the Joy-Con 2. A double update that will allow all Residents to make a special return to their island and bring their ideas to life even more easily.

Available to anyone who owns a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, whether on Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2, the update 3.0 will freely introduce a rich array of content and new functions that will allow players to unleash their creativity. The first new feature is the opening of a Hotel managed by Wilbur and his family, located on the pier of each island and open to all tourists. By furnishing themed rooms and helping Wilbur with deliveries of local specialties, it will be possible to obtain hotel vouchers, which can be spent at the new hotel souvenir shop to get special items and other rarities. Furthermore, from the same shop, it will be possible to rent vacation outfits for oneself and for guests, who can also be invited via Amiibo. 

To best optimize island modification, the storage in your home will be expanded and can hold up to 9000 items, including trees, bushes, and flowers. In addition, Resetti, the iconic chatty mole, will make his return, and his service will allow players to clear large portions of land to facilitate the restoration of their island. With greater ease of action, another important new feature is the introduction of Dream Islands, accessible from Luna's Dream World, which will allow players to create up to three new islands separate from the main one, choosing from three sizes and four different conformations. This new feature will allow players to make the most of new special collaborations with LEGO, The Legend of Zelda, and Splatoon, which will add exclusive item sets and new characters from these latter two Nintendo worlds, respectively Tulin and Mineru, and Frye and Shiver. Finally, also in the hotel souvenir shop, it will be possible to find items inspired by Nintendo's history, from classic consoles to retro games, which, with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, will even allow players to play some games on the consoles directly from Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

For users who own a Nintendo Switch 2, in addition to update 3.0, it will be possible to purchase the upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition to make the experience on their island even more immersive. With this update, it will be possible to play with improved resolution up to 4k in TV mode and use the mouse-style controls of the Joy-Con 2 to more easily furnish indoor and outdoor spaces. Furthermore, the megaphone is introduced: a new tool purchasable at Nook's Cranny which, using the integrated microphone of Nintendo Switch 2, will allow players to loudly call any resident on their island. To further increase the fun, with the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, up to 12 players can meet on the same island online, or up to 8 in local wireless, spending leisure time together or actively helping in the construction of the host island. In addition, through GameChat, you can talk to friends in-game and, by connecting a compatible USB-C camera, you can see your friends' expressions directly on the game screen.

With all these new features and customization opportunities, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is ready to provide many hours of relaxation and fun. But it's just the beginning of a 2026 full of cozy games from Nintendo: in addition to this update, Nintendo Switch 2 will also host the first life simulation video game with Pokémon - Pokémon Pokopia - releasing exclusively on Nintendo's new platform next March 5th.

The free update 3.0 and the upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons are now both available. The latter can be purchased both on the Nintendo eShop, directly from the console, and on My Nintendo Store!