Nintendo has announced a major update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which will include a free upgrade for the Switch 2 and new content for the game. Animal Crossing: New Horizons came out in March 2020, and it was a major success, taking the gaming world by storm. In November 2021, Nintendo released patch 2.0 for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which featured a major free content update; it went live alongside the Happy Home Paradise DLC pack. After this, there were occasional updates that fixed issues in order to improve player experience.
It's possible to watch the credits roll in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but that doesn't mean it's over, as it is a very replayable game. After completing the main story, players can continue to work on their museum collections, reach maximum friendship with their villagers, explore the Happy Home Paradise DLC, and decorate to their heart's content. So, even though many players packed up the game after completing the game, many kept going back to it over the past few years.
Animal Crossing New Horizons: Why You Should Start Over in 2025
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a stellar addition to Nintendo's life-sim franchise, and players should consider restarting their islands in 2025.
Animal Crossing New Horizons to Receive Major Update and Switch 2 Upgrade
Four years after the last major patch, another significant update is coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. On October 30, 2025, Nintendo posted a trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and update 3.0. Both will include exciting new features and are set to release on January 15, 2026. Players will have to pay $4.99 to upgrade to the Switch 2 version of the game, but the free update, which will be available for Switch and Switch 2, will be completely free of cost.
Free Update ver3.0 Features
- Kapp'n's Family Hotel on the pier
- Up to 9,000 storage space in the player's home
- Multicrafting
- More Resetti services
- Slumber Islands
- Collabs with LEGO, Zelda, and Splatoon
Players can purchase Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition for $64.99, or if they already own the game for the original Switch, they can simply buy the Switch 2 upgrade. The Switch 2 edition of New Horizons will provide enhanced resolution and improved graphics, support for Switch 2 mouse controls, add a megaphone feature that will allow players to call over villagers, and increase the number of gamers that can simultaneously visit the player's island.
The content update will include an array of new features and quality-of-life improvements. Animal Crossing: New Horizons v3.0 brings Kapp'n's family hotel to the player's island, adds storage space, allows crafting multiple objects at once, and improves Resetti's services, making it easier to clean up islands. Additionally, Luna will provide a new service where players can freely build up to three Slumber Islands without any restrictions, which should work similarly to Minecraft's Creative Mode. Lastly, the update introduces items created in collaboration with LEGO, Zelda, and Splatoon, which will not only bring decorative items but also villagers based on known characters from these franchises.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- March 20, 2020
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.
Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Expansions
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise
- Franchise
- Animal Crossing
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- How Long To Beat
- 100 Hours
