Four years after its last major update, Nintendo has announced it’s reviving Animal Crossing: New Horizons early next year with a new Switch 2 Edition, a major content update for all players – including a new on-island Resort Hotel – and a special Lego collaboration. Additionally, it’s bringing back the ability to play classic Nintendo titles in-game (a feature long-time fans have been hoping to see return for decades), but only for Switch Online subscribers.
As its name suggests, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition brings a range of improvements specifically for Nintendo’s new console, including a resolution boost to 4K, and optional Joy-Con mouse controls when decorating indoors, creating Custom Designs, or composing h and-written bulletin-board messages. Additionally, it’ll be possible to locate residents by calling their names into the console’s mic (this requires the new in-game megaphone item), and online sessions will be enhanced to support up to 12 players and CameraPlay functionality.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ Switch 2 Edition launches on 15th January next year and costs £54.99/$64.99 USD. Existing owners of the Switch 1 original can upgrade for a more modest £4.19/$4.99, and pre-orders for the full game and Upgrade Pack are available now.
Also launching on 15th January is an expansive free update for all players, which, among other things, sees the grand opening of a new Resort Hotel down on the pier. Run by Kapp’n’s family, it sounds like it’ll serve as a more elaborate version of New Horizon’s campsite, bringing additional guests to the island – providing you pitch in and help decorate its rooms. There’s also talk of a souvenir shop featuring new furniture and clothing, plus mannequins to dress with outfits guests can wear.
Elsewhere, home storage can be upgraded to hold 9,000 items – now including trees, shrubs, and flowers – and there’s a new Reset Service, courtesy of Resetti, that’ll offer a quick way to get a fresh start.
Which brings us to those Switch Online-exclusive features. Once the update arrives, subscribers can design and store up to three Slumber Islands, selecting each one’s size and layout, then build and decorating it collaboratively with friends. Existing inventories can be accessed, and it’s possible to invite residents from your home island. Additionally, subscribers can play “select” classic Nintendo titles in-game – a feature not seen since the original Animal Crossing – by collecting Nintendo consoles.
Expect to see other familiar Nintendo items as well, including Ultra Hand, alongside special Lego items as part of a new collaboration. And if you own any Legend of Zelda or Splatoon amiibo, it’ll be possible to invite “certain characters” to your island and unlock various items inspired by each series. All this, as a reminder, arrives 15th January next year.