Wesley Yin-Poole
Guest
Nintendo has brought Animal Crossing: New Horizons back into the big time with a Switch 2 Edition and a free update to the base game. Both launch January 15, 2026, with preorders coming soon, Nintendo said.
The Switch 2 edition features new features like higher resolution visuals (with the framerate capped at 30fps), mouse controls, an in-game megaphone that uses the system’s built-in microphone, online play for up to 12 players, and CameraPlay.
The free update for the base game, meanwhile, features a new resort hotel run by Kapp’n’s family, new themed items and characters, extra exclusives like Slumber Island for Nintendo Switch Online members, and more. The content of this update can be played in both versions of the game from January 15.
Nintendo said Switch 2 players can buy digital or physical versions of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons when it launches on January 15 for $64.99, and if they already have the game for Nintendo Switch, a paid upgrade pack will also be available for $4.99. Pre-orders for the paid upgrade pack are available starting today on the My Nintendo Store and Nintendo eShop.
Here are the finer details, from Nintendo:
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 with several enhancements to enjoy, including:
- 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! LEGO items will also make their debut with this update. And use select The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series amiibo8 to invite certain characters — and unlock various items inspired by those series.
Most fans had accepted that Nintendo had left Animal Crossing: New Horizons behind, despite it being the second best-selling game on Switch with an enormous 48.19 million units sold. Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched in March 2020 and benefited from play-at-home gaming fueled by lockdowns, but Nintendo failed to capitalize on its popularity with significant DLC throughout the last five years. IGN's Animal Crossing: New Horizons review returned a 9/10. We said: "Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an expanded, polished, next-generation reboot of a classic Nintendo game that's full of surprises."
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].