Nintendo is poised for a major year, and early 2026 will see the release of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update, alongside the new Switch 2 console. This guide provides all the details on when you can expect the update and console to launch.
Originally launched in March 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is approaching its sixth anniversary this spring and remains a top choice for Switch owners. With fresh updates still being released, the game will likely keep players engaged until the next Animal Crossing title arrives.
Want to know when the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update and the potential Switch 2 release are happening? TopMob has the latest information on release dates and times.
When Does Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 & Switch 2 Edition Release?
Nintendo has confirmed that the new Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Switch 2, along with its major free update (version 3.0), will launch on January 15th.
As a huge fan, I’m so excited about the Switch 2 version! The graphics are getting a serious upgrade – we’re talking 4K resolution! But the best part? They’ve tripled the number of players you can play with online, letting up to 12 of us team up or compete at once. The original Switch only supported 4, so this is a massive improvement!
Even if you don’t have the new Switch 2, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy in this update! It includes a new Resort Hotel where you can design your own rooms, crafting tasks to create unique island items, more storage space, and fun collaborative items featuring LEGO, Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda, and Splatoon.
What Time Does Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 & Switch 2 Edition Release?
While there’s no official confirmation yet, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update and the new Switch edition are likely to be released around 8 PM Eastern Time on January 14th, based on the timing of past updates.
The update will be released in Japan on January 15th. This means players in the US should have access to it on the evening of January 14th, and players in the UK and Europe will likely receive it in the early morning of January 15th.
We’re predicting when the update will be released by looking at past major Animal Crossing: New Horizons updates, like the 2.0 update. However, that was quite a while ago – almost four years – so the timing might be a little different this time. We’ll update this article as soon as an official release time is announced.
The following table shows when Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 and the new Switch 2 are expected to be released in different parts of the world.
| Time Zone | Expected Release Time & Date |
|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | 6:00 PM—January 14 |
| Central Time (CT) | 7:00 PM—January 14 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 8:00 PM—January 14 |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 1:00 AM—January 15 |
| Australian Eastern Time (AET) | 12:00 PM—January 14 |
What’s the one new feature in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update you’re most looking forward to? Come share your thoughts with us on the TopMob Discord server!
Looking for something new to read? Find out why life-sim games are expected to be big in 2026, and see which games received the worst reviews in 2025.
Level Up Your Gaming News
App Store
Google Play
Read More
- Insider Gaming’s Game of the Year 2025
- Faith Incremental Roblox Codes
- One Piece: Oda Confirms The Next Strongest Pirate In History After Joy Boy And Davy Jones
- Roblox 1 Step = $1 Codes
- Say Hello To The New Strongest Shinobi In The Naruto World In 2026
- Sword Slasher Loot Codes for Roblox
- Jujutsu Kaisen: The Strongest Characters In Season 3, Ranked
- Jujutsu Zero Codes
- The Winter Floating Festival Event Puzzles In DDV
- Top 10 Highest Rated Video Games Of 2025
2026-01-05 14:57