Tom Nook wants his money, and he’s going to get it. Nintendo of America announced that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting a free Ver.3.0 update on January 15! Now, all of us remember the hit Nintendo Switch game that kept people company back in 2020. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of those things they’re going to teach business courses at university. (Well, assuming we still have college in a couple of years…)
The proposed update brings a bunch of new features. Nintendo’s biggest innovation for the update is a resort hotel. Kapp’n’s family runs the establishment. If there’s anything Animal Crossing players love, it’s going to a new locale. New Horizons fans have been treated to more travel in the game than usual. That makes a lot of sense considering the island life theme of the Switch title. But, there’s even more new content hiding in the Ver.3.0 update for the game.
Slumber Island also makes its way to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in January. This new feature allows players to build as many as 3 different islands to design with your friends. Yes, finally, even more Sims-like behavior from Animal Crossing. You can also invite residents from your home island to move to your Slumber Islands with your real-life pals! I know parts of social media are buzzing about this one.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Ver.3.0 update revealed
Nintendo didn’t leave Switch 2 players hanging though. In fact, a lot of the new update features are distinctly for people who’ve picked up the new system. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons will cost $64.99. But, if you already have the game for Nintendo Switch, the upgrade is available for $4.99. The pre-orders are already live. So, if you’ve been looking for more Animal Crossing, there you go!
With the Switch 2 Edition, there are some gameplay enhancements. Animal Crossing: New Horizon is getting an improved resolution, mouse controls with the right Joy-Con 2 controllers. (Hand-writing bulletin-board messages? How I’ve waited for this day.)
You can use the in-game microphone to call residents on your Switch 2. There’s 12-player online now? But, only if everyone has a Switch 2. And, of course, CameraPlay so you can video chat along with your gaming sessions.
Mr. Resetti is back?!?!
Yeah, both editions will see the return of Mr. Resetti! He’s the way to use the Reset Service to clean up your island. Go ahead and upgrade to 9,000 items of storage too. It’s always fun seeing Nintendo bring back old game staples in new entries. There was a lot in Animal Crossing: New Horizons at launch. But, they’ve been steadily adding stuff. There’s a real argument for this generation of Animal Crossing as “the best” Switch game.
Nintendo also couldn’t resist stuffing some fanservice in there too. So, Nintendo Switch Online users get classic games to play by interacting with special items in-game. There’s also LEGO stuff coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If that wasn’t enough, some Legend of Zelda and Splatoon amiibo functionality too. Run and tell your friends, Animal Crossing is coming back in a big way for 2026.
(featured image: Nintendo)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
