Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting a new 3.0 content update in January 2026, alongside a Switch 2 Edition (and Switch 2 Upgrade Pack) for Nintendo Switch 2 owners. This page details everything you need to know about both the ACNH 3.0 update and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition, including release date and everything new being added to the game.
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ACNH 3.0 Update and Switch 2 Edition Release Date and Price
Both the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update and the ACNH Switch 2 Edition will be released on January 15, 2026.
The ACNH 3.0 update is free to both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 owners and will be distributed via digital download so an internet connection is required to access the content.
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition will be available on both the Nintendo eShop as a digital download and as a physical retail copy for $64.99 USD. If you already own the original Nintendo Switch version, you’ll be able to purchase the ACNH Switch 2 Upgrade Pack for $4.99.
Countdown to the ACNH 3.0 Update and Switch 2 Edition
January 15, 2026 at 8:00am
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition Details
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition brings the following changes and additions for Nintendo Switch 2 owners:
Improved Resolution
In the ACNH Switch 2 Edition, graphics look crisper with less jaggies in both handheld and TV mode. In TV mode specifically, the resolution has been increased to 4K (if your TV is compatible), though it is capped at 30 frames-per-second.
You can see a visual example of the resolution upgrade in the screenshot below:
Mouse Controls
In the Switch 2 Edition, you can use the Joy-Con 2’s mouse mode to place furniture and decorate the interior of your house, giving you more control than using the regular joystick and buttons. Multiple pieces of furniture and decor can be selected and moved at once.
Additionally, you can use the Joy-Con 2’s mouse mode when creating custom designs in the Custom Designs app on your NookPhone.
You can also use mouse mode to write and draw messages on the bulletin board outside your Town Hall. You can adjust the thickness of the pen, the color, and use an eraser if you make a mistake.
Megaphone
The Megaphone tool returns, first introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf on the Nintendo 3DS. It is used to locate villagers by calling their name into the built-in microphone on the Switch 2. Once you call a name, a speech bubble will appear on your screen, pinpointing the direction of the specific villager’s location. This is perfect for those times where you need to find a resident but they’re not in their house.
The Megaphone will be sold at Nook’s Cranny for 3,500 Bells.
12-Player Multiplayer
If you own the ACNH Switch 2 Edition, you’ll be able to play with up to 12 players in one town via online multiplayer (provided they all own the Switch 2 Edition, too); an upgrade from the previous eight-player limit. A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required.
Additionally, you can use GameChat – which is the Switch 2’s built-in voice chat feature – to chat with up to 12 players simultaneously in a session. Players who own a Switch 2 Camera can stream themselves, with their face appearing above their character in-game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update Details
The ACNH 3.0 update is bringing a plethora of new content to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, completely free for both Switch and Switch 2 players.
Resort Hotel
A resort hotel is opening on your island! Located at the end of your pier, the resort hotel is ran by Kapp’n’s family, who have upgraded from running Tortimer Island in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
Your role is to help decorate guest rooms with specific themes, such as the Seaside Room. You’ll be given furniture pieces that match the given theme to help, though you can also use any furniture you’ve obtained previously as well. If you’ve played the Animal Crossing: Happy Home Paradise DLC, it’s similar to that!
Once you’ve completed decorating a room’s theme, you’ll earn Hotel Tickets. This special currency allows you to trade for unique and exclusive items you cannot find elsewhere at Grams’ souvenir shop.
There are two mannequins located just in front of the souvenir shop in the resort hotel, which you can dress these up with various clothing pieces to create Hotel Outfits. Hotel guests will wear them around your island, and other visiting players (and yourself!) can wear them, too.
Amiibo cards for Animal Crossing villagers can be scanned to bring them to the Resort Hotel.
In typical fashion, Tom Nook has demands. He will ask for custom items like furniture to be created (requested by a sort of bounty bulletin board) then exchanged for Hotel Tickets. Hotel Tickets can be exchanged for Nintendo-themed items and playable classic games… see below!
Upgraded Item Storage
You can update your item storage two more times to a maximum of 9000 items, up from 5000 total before. You can include shrubs, tress, and flowers in your storage.
Resetti’s Reset Service
Using Resetti’s Reset Service you can remove flowers and trash from an area. The good stuff can go right to storage.
Dream World and Slumber Islands
The new Dream World function can be selected when you go to sleep. This provides three new save files for Slumber Islands you can customize in your dreams — and you can select sizes and shuffle basic layouts for these Slumber Islands to start.
You can decorate a “pristine, fresh” set of islands with anything you’ve unlocked in the main game available for free.
You can sculpt your Slumber Island in any way you want and upgrades like ramps and bridges are also free.
This creative space can also be visited by friends who can help with your Slumber Island customization.
Even weather and villagers (only those from your island) can freely be changed and adjusted.
Nintendo Consoles, Retro Toys, and Playable NES and Game Boy Games
Talking to Grams at the Island Hotel will unlock the Souvenir Shop where you can buy Nintendo items including:
- Ultra Hand
- Ultra Machine
- Love Tester
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Famicom
- NES
- Famicom Disc System
- Game Boy
- Super Famicom
And more! But you will need the Switch Online membership to play the classic games on each system in your house.
Ice Climbers and Clu-Clu Land were confirmed as playable for NES and Dr. Mario for Game Boy.
LEGO Items
LEGO items have been added to the catalog in Nook’s Cranny. These items can be purchased with Bells. They come in colors — oh and some clothes like a LEGO T-Shirt are included too.
Zelda Items and Zelda amiibo Functions
You can use Zelda themed amiibo to unlock Zelda themed items and clothing in your village. Here’s what we’ve spotted in the trailer:
- Triforce
- Zonai Authenticaiton Crest
- Green Rupee
- Blue Rupee
- Red Rupee
- Ancient Princess Outfit
- Champion Outfit
- Heart
- Ocarina
- Master Sword
- Hylian Shield
Zelda villagers Tulin the bird and Mineru the… goat? Have been added as visiting villagers (Campers) as well and can be invited to live on your island.
Splatoon Items and Splatoon amiibo Functions
Tapping an amiibo from Splatoon invites Cece and Viche, who resemble Splatoon characters. A massive list of Splatoon items has been added as well.
That’s all we know for now, we will update this page as more details become avaialble. Can’t wait for those Nintendo and Zelda items!
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