Animal Crossing: New Horizons to Get Nintendo Switch 2 Version and Free Update Soon

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Nintendo surprised fans by announcing a Nintendo Switch 2 version of the popular game Animal Crossing: New Horizons to celebrate its 5th anniversary. A free update will also be released on January 15th, 2026.

You can now pre-order New Horizons for the new Nintendo Switch 2 for $64.99. If you already have the game on the original Switch, you can upgrade to the new version and get all the latest features for just $4.99.

These new features include:

  • Enhanced 4K compatible resolution for improved graphics
  • Mouse controls for the right Joy-Con 2 controller
  • The ability to redecorate houses with mouse controls
  • The ability to draw custom-made messages on the bulletin board with mouse controls
  • A new Megaphone item that allows players to locate residents by calling their name into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone
  • The ability to play with up to 12 players online
  • The ability to have players’ real faces appear over their villagers with the use of a compatible USB camera via CameraPlay

Both Nintendo Switch owners—those with the original Switch and the newer model—will get the free Version 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, adding a variety of new things for villagers to do.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0 Update Explained

The biggest addition in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0 Update is the return of Kapp’n, the turtle, who now offers boat tours to new islands. He’s also opened a floating resort hotel run by his family.

I’m so excited! In this game, I get to design rooms for visitors and dress up mannequins with a really cute coastal style. All the furniture and clothes come from Kapp’n’s family, which is a really nice touch!

After finishing decorating and helping Kapp’n’s family, you’ll earn hotel tickets. These tickets can be used at the hotel shop to buy special items like a toy car and a hotel umbrella.


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To get more visitors to your resort island, you can either use Amiibo figures to invite specific guests, or create special items that Kapp’n will share to attract new tourists.

Other new features debuting with this update include:

  • The mole, Restti, will allow players to reset yards, beaches, or the entire island to their original state.
  • An upgradeable storage allowing players to store up to 9,000 items, including trees, shrubs, and flowers.
  • Luna’s Dream World, which allows Nintendo Switch Online players to create and design up to three Slumber Islands.
  • New Nintendo-inspired souvenir items such as an NES and Game Boy which will allow NSO players to play select classic Nintendo games, such as Ice Climber and Doctor Mario.
  • New LEGO-inspired items.
  • New Legend of Zelda and Splatoon items and guests which will become available upon scanning LOZ and Splatoon-branded Amiibo.

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2025-10-30 23:09