Nintendo is reviving its cosy island life simulator, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, early next year, bringing the five-year-old game to the Nintendo Switch 2 while also offering a free major content update for all players, which adds a ton of new content to enhance the island experience.
As announced via Nintendo’s official website, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is heading to its newest hybrid console with enhancements in tow, such as higher resolution visuals alongside support for the Switch 2’s unique features, such as optional Joy-Con mouse controls when decorating certain elements, or making use of the console’s built-in microphone to locate residents by calling their names. Online play will also be enhanced for up to 12 players, with support for CameraPlay functionality.
Apart from the new console version of the game, a major free content update will also head to Animal Crossing: New Horizons and will be available for both console versions. This update adds a ton of new features to the game, headlined by a new resort hotel run by Kapp’n’s family, which is set to function like a souped-up version of the game’s current campsite, allowing players to invite additional guests to the island if they take the time to decorate its guest rooms. The hotel will also feature new furniture and clothing at its souvenir shop, along with the ability to dress up mannequins with outfits that guests can wear.
The update will also bring various quality-of-life features, such as an expanded home storage system to hold up to 9,000 items, including trees, shrubs and flowers, as well as a new Reset Service to tidy up a player’s island.
Those with a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be able to design and save up to three islands and play with friends online, alongside the ability to play select classic Nintendo titles in-game when interacting with specific Nintendo console items, a feature not seen since the first Animal Crossing game.
The update also brings some other collaborative items, such as Ultra Hand and Lego-themed items to the game, and those who own Legend of Zelda or Splatoon amiibos will also be able to invite certain characters to their island and unlock items inspired by those franchises.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, alongside the game’s free major update, will both arrive on 15 January 2026, with existing owners of the Switch edition of the game able to purchase an upgrade pack for the Nintendo Switch 2 edition.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
Si Jia
