Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition—DLC Details and Box Art Breakdown

Nintendo fans eagerly awaiting the next-generation experience of Animal Crossing: New Horizons can look forward to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, scheduled for an early 2025 release.

Developed by Nintendo, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has achieved global acclaim since its original debut in March 2020, quickly becoming one of the best-selling titles on the Nintendo Switch with over 42 million copies sold (as of December 2023).

The anticipation surrounding its new iteration on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 platform is palpable, particularly due to the promise of enhanced visuals, streamlined gameplay, and new features introduced through an upgrade pack. According to official materials from Nintendo, the boxed version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is clearly labeled to include two key components: the original Nintendo Switch game and the specifically designed Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack.

The box art for the retail release confirms, "Includes the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack.

Upgrade pack also available separately." This ensures both new players and existing fans know precisely what they are getting in the latest release. The much-discussed Happy Home Paradise DLC, first arriving on the Switch eShop in November 2021 and praised for expanding the creative possibilities of the base game, is not bundled with the Switch 2 Edition.

Based on the official box description, players will only receive the base Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the Switch 2 upgrade pack, which incorporates various enhancements and fresh content suited to the capabilities of the new console.

Nintendo has confirmed that anyone who already owns the original Animal Crossing: New Horizons can purchase the Switch 2 upgrade pack separately as a digital download, making the transition to the enhanced version straightforward. For those still seeking access to the Happy Home Paradise DLC, Nintendo’s policy remains consistent: the content must be purchased independently for $24.99, or it can be accessed with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.

This approach follows the precedent set by previous Switch 2 Edition releases, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, in which DLC content was also sold separately. As highlighted by Animal Crossing community experts, the new 3.0 update debuting alongside the Switch 2 Edition may offer content that overlaps or complements features found in Happy Home Paradise.

However, Nintendo's box art and accompanying statements make it clear that, in line with established practices, complete DLC access still requires a separate purchase or an appropriate subscription service. With its clear value proposition and upgrade path, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is positioned to captivate both series veterans and first-time islanders when it launches on Nintendo’s next-generation hardware.

Stay tuned for further updates as Nintendo reveals more about this highly anticipated release.

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