Back in 2020, when the world was in a… not-so-great state, Nintendo released Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch. A virtual getaway, it offered all the fun of previous titles in the series, but with a twist: players built, customised, and furnished their own island. Over time, they could house different residents for a bustling community. Lo and behold, it was a massive success, selling nearly 49 million copies on the Switch 1.
Even though support ended in November 2021, New Horizons is rising from the ashes on January 15th, 2026, when it launches on the Nintendo Switch 2. On top of that, Version 3.0 will be released for both Switch platforms, bringing tons of new content and features. Here are 15 things you should know before diving in.
4K in TV Mode
Animal Crossing: New Horizons finally makes the jump to 4K, showcasing your island, all its residents and various happenings in crisp higher resolution (while in TV mode, of course). However, it’s still capped at 30 frames per second, whether you’re playing docked or in handheld mode. Why? Well, there are many potential reasons why, but for now, if you’re used to the Switch 1 version’s frame rate, you should be right at home.
Mouse Controls
On the bright side, there’s mouse support with the right Joy-Con 2. You can finally decorate with all the freedom that a cursor allows, including dragging and selecting multiple items and moving them at once. Of course, that’s only the start – imagine making custom bulletin boards with the paint tools available, and even hand-writing messages for all to see.
12 Player Online Sessions
Ever been constrained by the arbitrary play limits on your island? The Switch 2 Edition is expanding on that, from eight players per session to a whopping 12. That may not seem like much (at least, for the regular island but we’ll get to that). And yet, there’s something nice about having so many people, just running around, admiring everything you’ve built.
CameraPlay
Of course, they don’t just have to admire it through words. Thanks to GameChat and CameraPlay, you can see their actual expressions above their characters’ heads. All for the low, low price of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription and the Switch 2 Camera.
Megaphone and Switch 2 Mic Support
When thinking about how else the Switch 2 version could leverage the console’s many features, someone at Nintendo conceived of an ingenious addition: A megaphone that uses the built-in mic. If you’ve ever wanted to shout at your residents for whatever reason, this is finally your chance. Oh, and it also helps to easily locate them.
Resort Hotel
All of the previously mentioned features are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, but a free update, Version 3.0, will also be made available to Switch 1 players on the same day. It adds a brand new feature, the Resort Hotel, which welcomes guests from outside the island. You can help by decorating the guest rooms, selecting a theme and then filling them with the corresponding furniture and items. If a guest enjoys their stay, they’ll compliment your design skills.
Hotel Tickets and Souvenir Shop
Of course, the real appeal is the Hotel Tickets, doled out by Kapp’n for a job well done. These can then be exchanged at Grams’ Souvenir shop for new items, including hotel decorations, furniture, t-shirts, and much more. If you like a particular set of items and want to bring some of that resort comfort to your own home, this is quite literally the ticket.
Crafting Island Goods for Hotel Tickets
Tom Nook is a wily one, so of course, he wants to get involved in the Hotel Resort business. Fortunately, that only requires crafting island goods, including desks and wardrobes. Gathering the materials and crafting these bestows Hotel Tickets, so it’s well worth taking up a few tasks. And for those who have spare materials lying around, this is the perfect place to spend them.
Expanded Home Storage
With so many new items added, not counting the thousands already available, storage problems are inevitable. Thankfully, Version 3.0 lets you upgrade your home storage further. You can go from 5000 to 7000 and eventually 9000 slots for even more space. Better yet, it’s possible to store trees, shrubs and flowers, which pairs very well with another excellent new feature.
Resetti Service
So you’ve made a mess on your island and don’t want to clean it up. Cue Resetti’s new Reset Service, which will tidy up a specified location. If there are flowers or custom designs in the location, you can choose to leave them alone, store them away or get rid of them entirely. Alongside a single area, Resetti’s Reset can also be applied to the beach and the entire island if you want to start from scratch.
Slumber Islands
Dreams, as nifty as they were, could be a little too restrictive. In response, Nintendo is adding Slumber Islands, a blank space that becomes available while sleeping, which you can customize (including choosing small, medium and large sizes, each with different layouts and arrangements), terraform and decorate with any of your existing items. Adjust the time of day and weather, invite residents from your island and even visit other players’ Slumber Islands to collaborate. You can save up to three Slumber Islands, so decorate, build up and tear down to your heart’s content.
LEGO Items and Furniture
Remember when we mentioned tons of new items? That includes, for the first time, LEGO items. You can purchase beds, fireplaces, sofas, tables, T-shirts and even a LEGO DIY workbench via Nook Shopping. Deck out your home in LEGO-only items or mix and match with Resort Hotel furniture and existing items for a unique look.
The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon Collaboration
Even more items abound if you have amiibo for The Legend of Zelda or Splatoon. The former includes the Triforce, Master Sword and even outfits from across the series. You’ll also see Tulin from Breath of the Wild visiting the island, and they can settle down if you wish. As for Splatoon, a compatible amiibo sees Cece and Viché, based on Shiver and Frye, visiting your island, and various items based on the franchise, including Big Man chairs (which isn’t disturbing at all), can be purchased.
$5 Paid Upgrade for Switch 1 Owners
On the Nintendo Switch 2, Animal Crossing: New Horizons will cost $64.99, which may seem like a strange price. But that’s because those who own the Nintendo Switch 1 version can upgrade for $4.99, so the math checks out. Overall, even if you’re not upgrading to the Switch 2, there’s more than enough content in Version 3.0 to warrant revisiting the island, reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones along the way.
