Hold onto your hats (or your virtual flower crowns), because there’s exciting news in the world of cozy digital villages: an Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is on the horizon! Yes, this announcement has made more waves than a misplaced fishing rod at a fishing tournament.
Release Date and Updates—Mark Those Calendars!
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is set to make its grand debut on January 15, 2026. It will roll out alongside an enormous free update designed for those who, against all odds, still dare to play on the original Switch. This update is more significant than the latest gossip in the Able Sisters’ shop!
What’s New in the Upgraded Edition?
According to the good folks at Nintendo (whose promises either spark joy or make players grumble like Tom Nook with his fees), the Switch 2 Edition is packed with features that will leave animal enthusiasts and design mavens alike squealing with delight. Here’s what players can expect:
- Joy-Con 2 Mouse Controls: Yes, folks! Recreate your living room’s feng shui with newfound dexterity. Sculpt a digital dream home or pen an award-winning masterpiece on the bulletin board using mouse controls. It’s like creativity on a diet — easier and lighter!
- The Megaphone: Ever wanted to yell at your neighbors without actually yelling? Well, now there’s a Megaphone in Nook’s Cranny that allows players to summon residents using the Switch 2’s microphone. Kawabunga, the future is here!
- Expanded Online Features: Think you have enough friends to fill a Zoom call? The Switch 2 Edition allows up to 12 players to join in on the fun, provided they all have the shiny new console. That’s four more than your old group hangouts — talk about a party!
- Switch 2 Camera Support: Because who wouldn’t want to show their face to their delightful pixelated counterparts? Player faces in-game mean selfies are officially a thing… on a console!
All this joy comes at a price: $64.99 for the Switch 2 Edition, both digitally and physically. And for those still clinging to their original version like a cherished seashell, a nifty paid upgrade pack is available for just $4.99. Bartering with Nook’s fees has nothing on this deal!
A Sneak Peek into the Free Update – Version 3.0
In addition to opening wallets for a fancier edition, an equally exciting free update, Version 3.0, brings a roster of both charming and downright quirky features for all players. Things to tickle the gaming fancy:
- New Hotel on the Pier: Thanks to Kapp’n’s family, a new hotel will make the villagers feel fancy. Different themes can be used for guest rooms, ensuring that everyone enjoys a stay that would make any five-star establishment jealous.
- Home Storage Upgrade: Players can now double their storage capacity! Yes, up to 9,000 items will fit snugly instead of the previous measly 5,000. Start hoarding those weeds like a pro!
- Slumber Island: Who doesn’t want more islands? A new dream locale allows players to create and decorate up to three islands without stirring the pot on the main one. Built-in vacation mode: activated.
- Collab Items Galore: Brace for new content featuring the likes of Lego, The Legend of Zelda, and Splatoon. It’s like a crossover episode, but way more friendly and with a lot less drama.
- Playable Retro Game Consoles: Yes, nostalgia comes at a price (a subscription)! Dust off those gaming skills with some retro console fun.
With nearly 50 million copies sold, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has secured a place in the gaming record books. However, in a move reminiscent of that one friend who ghosted after the first few dates, the major support for this title ended in 2021, merely 18 months post-launch. Time to mark January 2026 on the wall calendar and prepare for an avalanche of new digital delights!
