Many of us would rather forget all about the annus horribilis that was 2020, but there was at least one glaringly bright spot in that year, as Animal Crossing: New Horizons provided solace for many. Almost six years after the game’s debut, Nintendo is hoping you’ll return to your island — or start a new one — as a Switch 2 version with a bunch of upgrades will arrive on January 15. A free update is coming to both the Switch and Switch 2 versions of the game on the same day.
A 12-minute video on Nintendo’s YouTube channel went over a lot of the changes. The Switch 2 version has improved graphics with support for 4K visuals in TV mode. You’ll be able to play with mouse controls via Joy-Con 2. Nintendo suggests that could make it easier for you to redecorate your home, make custom designs and create messages on the bulletin board. With the Switch 2’s microphone, you’ll be able to use your voice to call out to the residents of your island when you pick up the new megaphone item.
The online features are getting upgrades. Up to 12 players will be able to hang out on the Switch 2 version, up from eight. There’s support for the Switch 2 camera feature as well — you and your friends will be able to see each other’s faces above your characters as you play.
The Switch 2 edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be available as physical and digital versions for $65. There’s an upgrade pack for the original game, which will run you $5 — that’s very reasonable, especially by Nintendo standards.
As for folks who are sticking with the original Switch for the time being, there are a lot of new features coming via a free update. It brings a new locale to your island in the form of a hotel on the pier. You can decorate the room as you wish based on certain themes, and get souvenirs from the gift shop as a reward. You can pick up new outfits from the hotel too. The update will also add a dream world with up to three more islands for you and your friends to play and create in. There’ll be fresh craftable items and the option to expand your home storage to up to 9,000 items (up from 5,000).
The update will bring new collaborations to ANCH as well. You can pick up various Nintendo consoles as decorative items, and even play games on them if you have a Switch Online subscription. Lego items are coming to the game, along with a Legend of Zelda and Splatoon crossovers that work with select Amiibo. Of course, all of these additions will hit the Switch 2 version as well. I can imagine that a bunch of people are going to spend many more hours in ANCH in 2026.
