Animal Crossing: New Horizons Announces Paid Upgrade Pack for Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Nintendo has delivered a major announcement for Animal Crossing fans by revealing a paid upgrade pack for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, set to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.

This news arrives as the beloved life-simulation title, developed by Nintendo, continues to maintain a strong community over four years after its original debut in March 2020 on the Nintendo Switch. The newly announced upgrade pack offers more than a typical remaster, addressing both core and quality-of-life improvements to the acclaimed experience.

In addition to high-resolution visuals and enhanced graphics optimized for the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2, the upgrade introduces several highly-requested features designed to expand gameplay and foster social interaction. According to Nintendo's official communication, players who purchase the upgrade will gain access to newly implemented mouse controls, bringing a fresh approach to menu navigation and item management.

This feature is expected to streamline the inventory system and make designing and decorating easier than ever before. The upgrade pack also includes a Megaphone item, which enables players to communicate more effectively with residents and online friends.

Another significant enhancement is the expansion of online multiplayer sessions, which now support up to 12 players simultaneously—a notable increase from the previous maximum of eight.

This change opens up bigger, more vibrant island gatherings, allowing a wider circle of friends to participate in cooperative play and community events. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has established itself as one of the most successful titles in Nintendo Switch history, selling over 42 million copies worldwide as of early 2024.

The game garnered multiple accolades for its innovation and ability to connect players during the height of the global pandemic.

With the addition of the paid upgrade pack and Switch 2 enhancements, Nintendo is seeking to reignite interest in its flagship social simulation game and offer fresh experiences to its passionate player base. The paid upgrade pack for Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is expected to be available via the Nintendo eShop alongside the system's release.

Players can look forward to an upgraded Animal Crossing experience enriched with modern features and expanded multiplayer capabilities as the next generation of Nintendo hardware arrives.

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