Nintendo has officially announced the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, available worldwide on Thursday, January 15, exclusively for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 platform.
Alongside this release, all players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on both the original Nintendo Switch and the new console can access a major free update, reinforcing Nintendo’s continued support for its flagship life simulation franchise. Building on the global success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which has sold over 44 million units since its debut in March 2020, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition offers enhanced visuals and new gameplay features.
Players will be able to customize and manage their island paradise in more dynamic and interactive ways, tapping into the advanced capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. Among the most notable upgrades, Nintendo introduces refined resolution and performance improvements, giving players a more immersive visual experience whether they're catching insects at dawn or planning their island layout at sunset.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition also debuts Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, allowing for seamless interior decorating, designing custom patterns, and composing messages on the in-game bulletin board. A new tool—the Megaphone—is now available, harnessing the console's built-in microphone to let players call out and gather fellow island residents with ease.
Expanding its multiplayer appeal, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition allows up to 12 players to share a single island in online sessions with integrated GameChat support, a significant upgrade from the original version’s limit.
Local wireless play supports up to eight players as before.
Additionally, by connecting a compatible USB camera, up to four players can use the new CameraPlay feature to share their in-game reactions via video. Existing Animal Crossing: New Horizons players on Nintendo Switch can opt to purchase an upgrade pack, unlocking all Nintendo Switch 2 Edition enhancements and ensuring their islands stay current with the latest features. The day-and-date free software update introduces new locations and activities, such as a resort hotel operated by Kapp’n’s family.
Here, players can design custom rooms for tourists, offer themed outfits, deliver crafted island goods, and redeem earned tickets for exclusive collectibles.
Nintendo Switch Online members gain access to Slumber Islands—a dreamy multiplayer landscape for collaborative creativity—and enjoy the convenience of Resetti’s Reset Service to help manage and organize their islands. The update also brings exciting collaborations, enabling players to collect virtual Nintendo consoles and decorate their spaces with retro flair.
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can even play select classic Nintendo titles directly within Animal Crossing when interacting with specific in-game consoles.
Further expanding the crossover appeal, LEGO items are introduced for the first time, and players can scan select amiibo figures from The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series to unlock exclusive items and new visitor characters. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, along with its supporting update, continues Nintendo’s tradition of enhancing beloved titles with innovative features and content, ensuring the Animal Crossing community has ever more to explore and enjoy on both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 platforms.
Alongside this release, all players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on both the original Nintendo Switch and the new console can access a major free update, reinforcing Nintendo’s continued support for its flagship life simulation franchise. Building on the global success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which has sold over 44 million units since its debut in March 2020, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition offers enhanced visuals and new gameplay features.
Players will be able to customize and manage their island paradise in more dynamic and interactive ways, tapping into the advanced capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. Among the most notable upgrades, Nintendo introduces refined resolution and performance improvements, giving players a more immersive visual experience whether they're catching insects at dawn or planning their island layout at sunset.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition also debuts Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, allowing for seamless interior decorating, designing custom patterns, and composing messages on the in-game bulletin board. A new tool—the Megaphone—is now available, harnessing the console's built-in microphone to let players call out and gather fellow island residents with ease.
Expanding its multiplayer appeal, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition allows up to 12 players to share a single island in online sessions with integrated GameChat support, a significant upgrade from the original version’s limit.
Local wireless play supports up to eight players as before.
Additionally, by connecting a compatible USB camera, up to four players can use the new CameraPlay feature to share their in-game reactions via video. Existing Animal Crossing: New Horizons players on Nintendo Switch can opt to purchase an upgrade pack, unlocking all Nintendo Switch 2 Edition enhancements and ensuring their islands stay current with the latest features. The day-and-date free software update introduces new locations and activities, such as a resort hotel operated by Kapp’n’s family.
Here, players can design custom rooms for tourists, offer themed outfits, deliver crafted island goods, and redeem earned tickets for exclusive collectibles.
Nintendo Switch Online members gain access to Slumber Islands—a dreamy multiplayer landscape for collaborative creativity—and enjoy the convenience of Resetti’s Reset Service to help manage and organize their islands. The update also brings exciting collaborations, enabling players to collect virtual Nintendo consoles and decorate their spaces with retro flair.
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can even play select classic Nintendo titles directly within Animal Crossing when interacting with specific in-game consoles.
Further expanding the crossover appeal, LEGO items are introduced for the first time, and players can scan select amiibo figures from The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series to unlock exclusive items and new visitor characters. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, along with its supporting update, continues Nintendo’s tradition of enhancing beloved titles with innovative features and content, ensuring the Animal Crossing community has ever more to explore and enjoy on both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 platforms.
