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Me-YOWZA! As this year’s Jack’s Halloween Event is coming to a close, Nintendo announced on Thursday, October 30, 2025, that Animal Crossing: New Horizons fans can look forward to a purrr-fect treat in 2026, whether you are en route to your first island tour or you are a seasoned resident of the island (and let’s be real, we are ALL seasoned island residents after the game swept the world at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic). The Japanese game developer has announced something we have long been waiting for: a free content update for the game’s Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, arriving on January 15, 2026.
Nintendo’s cozy life sim is getting a significant upgrade. Animal Crossing: New Horizons—Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 system, complete with a variety of upgrades and new gameplay options. The updated edition features higher-resolution visuals, optional mouse controls to make custome designs and decorating Island homes easier, an in-game megaphone that utilizes the system’s built-in microphone that will be available for purchase at Nook’s Cranny, and voice chat (which Reddit users noted, “took Nintendo long enough to come around on proper voice chat”).
In addition, online multiplayer will expand to support up to 12 players, and the new CameraPlay feature will offer fresh ways to capture and share island life moments.
Watch the 12 minute YouTube video about ALL the updates below:
But that’s not all! With Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘s last FREE update having launched all the way back in November 5, 2021, players can finally look forward to the next chapter of the video game franchise—and if you’re anything like me, you have been eagerly counting down the days until Nintendo finally announced and Animal Crossing update for the Switch 2.
The FREE update for the original Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch 2 arrives January 15. This update introduces a new resort hotel run by Kapp’n’s family, fresh themed items and characters, and special perks such as Slumber Island for Nintendo Switch Online members. All of this new content will be playable across both versions of the game starting January 15.
Check out all the details from Nintendo below:
- Improved resolution (4K in TV mode)
- Mouse controls with the right Joy-Con 2 controller to decorate indoors, create Custom Designs and even compose hand-written bulletin-board messages.
- Locate residents by calling their names using the in-game megaphone item and the built-in Nintendo Switch 2 microphone.
- Join 12-player sessions for online sessions if everyone is playing the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
- Play with friends via CameraPlay. Connect a compatible USB camera (sold separately) and see their reactions in-game while exploring your island together.
And both versions of the game will receive new features to experience, including:
- Resort Hotel’s Grand Opening: A resort hotel is opening on the pier, and it’s run by Kapp’n’s family. To bring in guests from off the island, you’ll help out by decorating guest rooms and more. Plus, find new furniture and clothing at the souvenir shop and dress up mannequins with outfits that guests can wear.
- Making Island Life More Convenient: Want a fresh start? Resetti is on hand with a convenient Reset Service to help tidy up your island. Additionally, you can now upgrade your home storage to hold up to 9,000 items, and store trees, shrubs and flowers there, too.
- Slumber Island: Players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership can design and save up to three islands and play with friends online. Select the size and layout of the island, build and design it collaboratively, access your inventory and decorate, plus invite residents from your home island.
- Collaborations: Collect Nintendo items like the Ultra Hand and Nintendo consoles in-game to add some classic flair to your island. Nintendo Switch Online members can play select classic Nintendo titles in-game when interacting with specific Nintendo console items, too! Special LEGO® items will also make their debut with this update. And use select The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series amiibo to invite certain characters — and unlock various items inspired by those series.
Nintendo Switch 2 players will be able to grab Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition digitally or physically when it launches on January 15 for $64.99. For those who already own the original game on Nintendo Switch, a paid upgrade pack will be available for $4.99, letting players access the new features without buying the full version.
Pre-orders for the Animal Crossing: New Horizons upgrade pack are now live on the My Nintendo Store and Nintendo eShop.
Source: Nintendo
English (US)