Nintendo has announced a content update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, along with a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, with both set to be released on January 15 2026.
While the 2.0 update released on November 5 2021 was stated initially by Nintendo to be the ‘last major content update’ for the title, the company have now released details on the 3.0 update via a video on the Nintendo Today app, which adds a number of new features for owners of the base game.
As part of the update, a new resort hotel will be added to all islands, with players able to decorate its guest rooms to help attract more villagers to their islands. Items and villagers based on The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series will be available via amiibo support, alongside a collaboration that adds a number of LEGO-styled furniture items, which can be used to decorate players’ homes. By sleeping in a bed, players can also access Slumber Islands, where multiple players can collaborate and build together in an environment separate from their main islands, with aspects such as the size and shape of the islands being fully customisable.
Alongside these new features, the update will introduce numerous quality-of-life features, including an increase in storage space from 5000 to 9000 items, with the ability to now store trees and flowers. The fan-favourite character Resetti makes a return to the series as well to provide a clean-up service, an easy way for players to clear their islands of items such as plants and outdoor furniture.
A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will also be available alongside the update, with changes that take advantage of the console’s technical features. The game’s resolution will be increased to 4K while playing docked, although there appears to be no change to the game’s frame rate of 30 FPS. Online play will now support 12 players, an increase from the eight-player limit on the Nintendo Switch, and support for GameChat and CameraChat will allow for voice chat while playing with friends, along with the ability to see other players’ faces if they are using a supported USB camera. The Joy-Con 2 controllers can also be used in mouse mode to decorate interiors, create custom designs, and to handwrite messages for the island bulletin board.
The 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be available for all players on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems on January 15 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will be available on the same day as a paid upgrade for £4.19/€4.99/¥550, or as a physical retail release for £54.99/€64.99/¥7128, and is available to pre-order from the My Nintendo Store.
Words By Jake Hewitt
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