Animal Crossing: New Horizons to Receive Major Switch 2 Upgrade and New DLC

30 Oct at 16:23

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons went without a substantial content update since November 2021, leaving many players to assume development had slowed to a halt. Nintendo ended that drought with a surprise announcement: a major update and a Nintendo Switch 2 edition will arrive on January 15, 2026.

The release is twofold. A dedicated Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition brings visual and performance upgrades — including native 4K in TV mode, mouse support, and enhanced processing that enables 12-player multiplayer — plus new social features like a megaphone to call islanders and integrated Game Chat. The Switch 2 edition is priced at $64.99, and current owners of the game can purchase an upgrade pack for $4.99.

Beyond the hardware-specific enhancements, Nintendo is rolling out a universal 3.0 update for all platforms (including the original Nintendo Switch). That free update introduces substantial new content: a hotel on the pier, which players can host and decorate in the vein of the Happy Home Paradise DLC, and a range of themed items tied to the hotel’s souvenir shop.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Switch 2 edition, 12-player scene — Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Image: Nintendo

In-game camera and play options in the new update — New camera and play features. Image: Nintendo

Expanded multiplayer on Switch 2 — Expanded multiplayer support. Image: Nintendo

Megaphone feature showcased in-game — Megaphone feature to summon residents. Image: Nintendo

Megaphone in action on an island — Megaphone use in multiplayer sessions. Image: Nintendo

Mouse controls demonstrated in the Switch 2 edition — Optional mouse controls for Switch 2. Image: Nintendo

UI and pointer interaction with mouse controls — Smoother UI interactions with mouse input. Image: Nintendo

Several legacy characters return with expanded roles: Kapp’n and his family operate the new hotel; Resetti returns to offer a Reset service that helps tidy and reorganize islands; and Luna gains a fresh mechanic called Slumber Island. Slumber Island enables asynchronous, online cooperative island-building, letting players collaborate to raise new areas from the ground up.

The update is also heavy on collaborations. Licensed and franchise items from Lego, The Legend of Zelda, and Splatoon will appear, alongside classic Nintendo curios like the Ultra Hand and retro consoles. Some vintage titles will even be playable in-game, including Ice Climbers and Dr. Mario.

Even players who haven’t tended their islands in years will find plenty to rediscover — the additions are substantial enough to justify returning to the game, if only to pull a few weeds and see what’s new.

Both the Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and the universal version 3.0 update release on January 15, 2026.

Source: Polygon