Get ready, island dwellers! Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a beloved title from the original Nintendo Switch era, is receiving an exciting new edition specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2. This highly anticipated upgrade promises enhanced performance and a wealth of new content, launching on January 15, 2026.
Unlike previous first-party Switch 2 upgrades, which often cost between $10-$20, the New Horizons update is a wallet-friendly $5. Nintendo is also releasing a brand-new physical edition of the game for the Switch 2. As with all first-party titles on the new console, the complete game will be stored directly on the Switch 2 game card. You can currently preorder the New Horizons Switch 2 physical edition for $65 from various retailers.
Enhanced Features for Your Island Getaway
The Switch 2 edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons boasts improved resolution and significantly faster loading times. Taking full advantage of the new hardware, the game will feature innovative mouse controls using the right Joy-Con, allowing for more fluid creative expression. Players can also engage with fellow islanders through CameraPlay and GameChat. A brand-new megaphone feature lets you use the Switch 2 microphone to call out to nearby residents, who will respond in kind.
Online multiplayer support is also expanding, increasing the player count from eight to an impressive twelve. A free update will introduce exciting new content, including a charming Resort Hotel, the mysterious Slumber Island, and even Lego-themed furniture to deck out your virtual home. Players will also be able to visit a new resort hotel managed by the delightful Kapp’n and his family. By lending a hand, you can earn retro Nintendo hardware and classic toys to adorn your island abode. Much like the classic GameCube version of Animal Crossing, you’ll even be able to play retro games directly within your villager’s home, provided you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo has confirmed support for Game Boy, NES, and SNES Switch Online games within the experience.
Upgrade Options and The Official Guide
For those who already own the original Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch, whether physical or digital, you can upgrade to the Switch 2 edition via the eShop for a small fee. For example, if you purchase the original physical copy for around $54, you could then buy the $5 upgrade pack. This method offers a slight saving, though your game box won’t carry the official Switch 2 branding.
Additionally, the definitive strategy guide, Animal Crossing: New Horizons: The Official Complete Guide, is still in print. Published by Future Press in June 2023, this extensive 688-page hardcover guide is the ultimate resource for mastering your idyllic island life. While it naturally doesn’t include the very latest 3.0 update content, it covers everything else released up to that point, including the Happy Home Paradise expansion. Be sure to pick up “The Official Complete Guide” and not the older “Companion Guide” from 2020, as the newer version features approximately 250 pages of updated information. Filled with high-quality pages, vibrant images, tips, and diagrams, this guide is not only incredibly helpful but also a fantastic collectible for dedicated Animal Crossing enthusiasts.
More Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games
Nintendo Switch 2 owners have a fantastic lineup of recent and upcoming exclusives to look forward to this holiday season. Dive into action with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, the latest hack-and-slash crossover from the Dynasty Warriors x The Legend of Zelda series, launching exclusively on Switch 2 on November 6. Following that, November 20 brings both Kirby Air Riders and the physical edition of Hades II—a timed Switch 2 console exclusive—to stores. The highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond headlines December’s releases, arriving for both Switch and Switch 2.
And don’t forget Nintendo’s significant October titles: Pokemon Legends: Z-A and the delightful bundle of Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2.