Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition Offers Lower Price Amid Modest Upgrades

Nintendo has officially revealed the pricing for "Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition," marking it as the most affordable major Switch 2 upgrade released so far.

The full Switch 2 Edition is now available for pre-order on the Nintendo Switch eShop at £54.99 / $64.99, while the upgrade pack for existing owners is set at a surprisingly low £4.19 / $4.99.

This price point undercuts the cost of previous Switch 2 upgrade editions from Nintendo’s catalog, making it appealing for both newcomers and long-time fans looking to enhance their experience on new hardware. For context, Pokémon Legends: Z-A launched its Switch 2 Edition at £58.99 / $69.99, and its upgrade path was available for £7.99 / $9.99.

Major franchises like "Kirby and the Forgotten Land" and "Super Mario Party Jamboree" had even higher price tags, coming in at £66.99 / $79.99 for the full next-generation experience or £16.99 / $19.99 for the upgrade path.

Notably, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "Tears of the Kingdom" offered free upgrades to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, but non-subscribers faced costs matching Kirby and Mario Party’s pricing tiers. What sets the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition apart isn’t just its value, but also its approach to enhancements.

While the new edition integrates Mouse Mode, improved resolutions, and GameChat support, the overall upgrade is more conservative compared to previous Switch 2 titles.

For fans expecting a boost in technical performance, it’s worth noting that the game retains a 30 frames-per-second frame rate—the first Switch 2 upgrade to forgo a frame rate increase.

Additionally, aside from the inclusion of a new Megaphone item, almost all of the fresh content is connected to the upcoming Version 3.0 update, which is scheduled for release on both the original Switch and Switch 2 hardware. Compared to previously-upgraded titles such as Kirby or Mario Party—which featured new game modes and expanded content—Animal Crossing’s Switch 2 Edition feels lighter in terms of added features.

However, this more restrained approach makes sense given the lower price tag, and represents a fair balance between new features and affordability for its dedicated fanbase. The strategic pricing and careful feature selection reinforce Nintendo’s understanding of its audience and the longevity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a title that has already surpassed 42 million units sold since its original 2020 launch.

By making this upgrade accessible, Nintendo continues to support its massive player base while setting a precedent for future Switch 2 re-releases and upgrade packs. In summary, "Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" arrives as a notably more affordable next-generation package, tailored for both accessibility and longevity.

Pre-orders for both the full edition and the upgrade pack are now live on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

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