Animal Crossing: New Horizons is about to receive a major update, and fans are beyond excited. The last update of this magnitude came out in November 2021, so players have gone a considerable amount of time without brand-new content.

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Features Coming With the Animal Crossing New Horizons Update

Animal Crossing: New Horizons's update v3.0 will add a significant amount of content to the game - here's what fans can look forward to.

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Many fans are returning to their islands after months of inactivity, preparing them for Animal Crossing New Horizons 3.0 but when exactly does it come out? This article tells players what they need to know about the release of the upcoming ACNH update.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 is now available.

When Does the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update Come Out?

Animal Crossing Update Release Date

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Nintendo has not confirmed the release time for Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0, but it is expected to become available on January 15, 2026, at 10 AM JT, as this has been the time that previous updates have come out.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 will be a major point in the game's life, and even though it might be coming a few years too late, players should still give it a try. This update is bringing tons of new features to New Horizons, including much-needed quality-of-life improvements.

As mentioned above, Nintendo has not told players when Animal Crossing: New Horizons when the update will go live. However, in the past, updates have gone live at 10 AM JT on the official release date. This means that in certain regions, players will actually be able to play New Horizons 3.0 a day earlier than expected.

Expected Release Time for Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0

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  • 10 AM JT on January 15
  • 1 AM GMT on January 15
  • 8 PM ET on January 14
  • 5 PM PT on January 14
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Animal Crossing New Horizons Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
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Simulation
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
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Released
March 20, 2020
ESRB
Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
Developer(s)
Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
Expansions
Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise
Franchise
Animal Crossing
Number of Players
1-8 players (Switch) / 1-12 players (Switch 2)
Nintendo Switch Release Date
March 20, 2020
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
January 15, 2026
Genre(s)
Simulation
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty
How Long To Beat
100 Hours