Nintendo has officially released the highly anticipated patch notes for Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0.0, delivering a wave of new features and much-requested quality-of-life improvements for fans.
Available now on both the original Nintendo Switch and the new Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, this extensive update marks a significant step forward for the beloved life simulation title, building on its legacy as one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises.
Released on January 14, 2026, Version 3.0.0 introduces a suite of enhancements that cater to the ever-evolving needs of Animal Crossing: New Horizons players.
Developed and published by Nintendo, the game initially took the gaming world by storm with its accessible gameplay and rich customization features.
With over 40 million copies sold globally since its March 2020 debut on Nintendo Switch, Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains a pillar of the company’s first-party lineup. One of the most notable additions in this update is an overhaul to the crafting system, a focal point for many fans.
Players can now craft up to 10 items at once, provided they have sufficient materials, streamlining resource management and reducing repetition.
Additionally, items stored in home storage can be accessed and used as DIY materials directly, a long-requested enhancement that greatly improves convenience.
The update also updates the DIY Recipes app to offer a dedicated page for tracking hotel DIY requests and tom Nook’s specific crafting tasks as the player advances. Another noteworthy change is the expanded accessibility for Nook Shopping.
Now, themed items such as those inspired by Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp can be ordered at any time, while Super Mario Bros.
collaboration items no longer require players to link their Nintendo Account.
Players can also now purchase up to 50 Customization Kits in a single transaction from Nook’s Cranny, and a wider selection of items, including seasonal materials like Snowflakes, can be sold at the shop’s drop-off box. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0.0 also streamlines various aspects of daily island life.
While exploring outdoors, holding down the L Button allows players to walk while maintaining the same facing direction—an improved control detail.
Isabelle, at Resident Services, will now recommend melodies (including the original island tune) when players change the island theme, and original island flag designs can now be easily restored when customizing the flag. Fans will also find thoughtful tweaks to interactions with various characters.
For instance, giving a scallop to Pascal now reliably rewards a Pearl, and the friendly gardener Leif can now be asked to remove weeds from the island if there are 30 or more present—a service that now comes at a reduced cost whether on Harv’s Island or during his visits to the player’s island.
The Island Life 101 app receives new user tips, and additional Nook Miles challenges offer further engagement linked to all the update's new features.
Catalog orders for photo studios and hotel decorating have also been refined for easier navigation, making creative island management more efficient than ever.
Nintendo Switch 2 players benefit from platform-specific fixes, such as the correction of the startup sound for Nook Shopping on the in-game smartphone.
Additionally, NookLink—the official Nintendo Switch online companion app—now features new Island Newspaper articles and supports catalog browsing for all the items introduced in Version 3.0.0. With Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0.0, Nintendo continues to demonstrate its commitment to evolving one of its flagship titles on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
The thoughtful enhancements and user-friendly tweaks cement its standing as a must-have title, ensuring longtime players and newcomers alike enjoy an even richer island experience.
Available now on both the original Nintendo Switch and the new Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, this extensive update marks a significant step forward for the beloved life simulation title, building on its legacy as one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises.
Released on January 14, 2026, Version 3.0.0 introduces a suite of enhancements that cater to the ever-evolving needs of Animal Crossing: New Horizons players.
Developed and published by Nintendo, the game initially took the gaming world by storm with its accessible gameplay and rich customization features.
With over 40 million copies sold globally since its March 2020 debut on Nintendo Switch, Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains a pillar of the company’s first-party lineup. One of the most notable additions in this update is an overhaul to the crafting system, a focal point for many fans.
Players can now craft up to 10 items at once, provided they have sufficient materials, streamlining resource management and reducing repetition.
Additionally, items stored in home storage can be accessed and used as DIY materials directly, a long-requested enhancement that greatly improves convenience.
The update also updates the DIY Recipes app to offer a dedicated page for tracking hotel DIY requests and tom Nook’s specific crafting tasks as the player advances. Another noteworthy change is the expanded accessibility for Nook Shopping.
Now, themed items such as those inspired by Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp can be ordered at any time, while Super Mario Bros.
collaboration items no longer require players to link their Nintendo Account.
Players can also now purchase up to 50 Customization Kits in a single transaction from Nook’s Cranny, and a wider selection of items, including seasonal materials like Snowflakes, can be sold at the shop’s drop-off box. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0.0 also streamlines various aspects of daily island life.
While exploring outdoors, holding down the L Button allows players to walk while maintaining the same facing direction—an improved control detail.
Isabelle, at Resident Services, will now recommend melodies (including the original island tune) when players change the island theme, and original island flag designs can now be easily restored when customizing the flag. Fans will also find thoughtful tweaks to interactions with various characters.
For instance, giving a scallop to Pascal now reliably rewards a Pearl, and the friendly gardener Leif can now be asked to remove weeds from the island if there are 30 or more present—a service that now comes at a reduced cost whether on Harv’s Island or during his visits to the player’s island.
The Island Life 101 app receives new user tips, and additional Nook Miles challenges offer further engagement linked to all the update's new features.
Catalog orders for photo studios and hotel decorating have also been refined for easier navigation, making creative island management more efficient than ever.
Nintendo Switch 2 players benefit from platform-specific fixes, such as the correction of the startup sound for Nook Shopping on the in-game smartphone.
Additionally, NookLink—the official Nintendo Switch online companion app—now features new Island Newspaper articles and supports catalog browsing for all the items introduced in Version 3.0.0. With Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0.0, Nintendo continues to demonstrate its commitment to evolving one of its flagship titles on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
The thoughtful enhancements and user-friendly tweaks cement its standing as a must-have title, ensuring longtime players and newcomers alike enjoy an even richer island experience.
