It’s the update Animal Crossing fans have been begging for since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2! That’s right, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting a brand new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition packed with enhancements, updates, and exclusive features only possible on Nintendo’s next generation console. Not only that, but a Version 3.0 update available to both Switch 1 and Switch 2 owners is also on its way. Both are launching January 15th, 2026.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition features
- Upgraded visuals with 4K resolution (in TV Mode), although still limited to 30fps
- Joy-Con 2 mouse controls for decorating interior spaces and creating custom designs
- The return of the megaphone from Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which allows you to locate villagers by shouting into the Nintendo Switch 2 mic
- Multiplayer now supports up to 12 players
- GameChat support and CameraPlay, which adds a small webcam video bubble over your character
- A physical version of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will also launch on January 15th, 2026
- Physical and digital versions of Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition retail for $64.99.
- A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack for existing owners of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available for $4.99.
First up, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Switch 2 Edition will feature upgraded visuals with enhanced resolution. The side-by-side comparison shown in Nintendo’s announcement video highlights just how big that bump really is. According to Nintendo’s official press release, the game will now run in full 4K when played in TV mode. Those hoping for a 60fps bump, though, are out of luck: it appears the game still runs at 30fps.
Next, mouse controls are coming to the Joy-Con 2! Players can now use the precision of a mouse to decorate indoor spaces and even create custom designs with more ease than ever before.
A fan favorite item from Animal Crossing: New Leaf is also making a comeback, the megaphone! This handy tool lets you call villagers across your island with a simple shout, saving you time when tracking down your favorite residents.
12-player co-op is another exciting addition, allowing up to 12 players to explore and build together, an increase from the original eight player limit (as long as everyone is using the Switch 2 version).
GameChat support will also be added, including CameraPlay: a new feature that adds a small video bubble over your character in multiplayer sessions, letting players see each other’s reactions live as they play together.
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition launches January 15 and will retail for $64.99. If you already own the base game, you can pick up the new update pack for just $4.99.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0 update features
Nintendo has also confirmed a batch of free updates coming to both the original Switch version and the new Switch 2 Edition:
- Resort Hotel added to the dock, run by Kapp’n’s family
- New controls for placing fences and terraforming, like sidesteps and backsteps
- Resetti’s Reset Service allows you to clean-up parts of your island, or the entire thing
- Slumber Island allows players to design and save up to three different highly-customizable islands (with online play, too)
- New collaborations, including new items and villagers based on The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon
- LEGO-themed collaboration items and furniture
- The ability to craft multiple items at once
- Additional house storage allows players to store up to 9,000 items, including trees, shrubs, and flowers
- Buyable Nintendo-themed items, including consoles that can play retro games (Nintendo Switch Online subscription required)
Resort Hotel
A new building can be found on your island’s dock: the Resort Hotel run by Kapp’n’s family. In order to bring in guests from off the island, you can decorate guest rooms based on specific themes and more. By doing this, you’ll earn Hotel Tickets which you can exchange for special items. These include things related to the hotel, like shirts and mugs, but also full furniture sets. The update trailer also showcased returning sets from past games, like the Kiddie set, along with new sets like Tubular and Artful.
Resetti’s Reset Service
Professional yapper (and yeller) Mr. Resetti is also getting a new role: the head of a new “Reset Service.” Using this lets you “reset” areas of your island, clearing them of furniture, foliage, and custom designs. You can also clear your entire island, if you desire.
Anything that Resetti “resets” are moved to your storage, and you’re asked if you want to keep or dispose of flowers.
Slumber Islands
Luna, the tapir in charge of the game’s dream system, is getting some new responsibilities. She also now runs a “Slumber Island” feature, allowing you to travel to a completely new island to terraform and decorate to your liking.
Think of this as a full creative mode. You can choose your Slumber Island’s size and layout beforehand, place any item from your catalog, freely place plants (and change their growth stage), add bridges and inclines, and much more.
You’ll have up to three different Slumber Islands you can customize, and you can even invite other players over to help you customize!
New collaborations
Bring a bit of Nintendo magic to your island with new collectible items inspired by Nintendo classics, including the Ultra Hand, vintage consoles, and even LEGO-themed furniture. Players can also use select The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon amiibo to invite special characters and unlock unique themed items.
So far, it looks like we’re getting Tulin and Mineru from Tears of the Kingdom, along with two new squirrels named Cede and Viche, who appear to be inspired by Deep Cut from Splatoon 3. There’s no word yet on whether returning Zelda and Splatoon villagers from New Leaf, like Wolf Link and Ganon, will make a comeback — but a boy can dream, can’t he?
Quality-of-life updates
New Horizons fans will be happy to know you’ll now be able to batch craft items. No more crafting one thing at a time! You can also upgrade your house storage beyond the current limit of 5,000 items: once to 7,000 and once more to 9,000.
Buyable Nintendo-themed items
The game will be getting a ton of new Nintendo-themed items like the Ultra Hand, Nintendo Switch 2, Famicom, and NES, which you can buy at the Resort Hotel’s souvenir shop. More items will become available as you improve your hotel.
The 3.0 Update is also bringing back a feature from the very first Animal Crossing game on Nintendo GameCube: Playable games on each system. Each retro system will have a single playable game on it (like Ice Climber for the NES), and it requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership to use.
Stay tuned to Nintendo Wire for more updates as we get closer to the January 15th release date!
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Written by Jason Ganos
Nintendo super fan since birth, Jason is the creator of Amiibo News and editor-in-chief at Nintendo Wire. One of his life goals is to provide the latest Nintendo news to fellow gamers with his natural know-how.
