Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Review: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, developed by Nintendo, has held a beloved place among Switch owners since its launch in March 2020.
The game became a cultural phenomenon during the pandemic, helping millions of players stay connected through its charming, laid-back island life simulation.
With nearly 50 million units sold as of early 2024, it sits firmly as the second best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch.
Now, Nintendo revisits this modern classic with the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which offers both an economical upgrade for existing owners and a full-price release for newcomers on the next-generation hardware. New Horizons’ return to the gaming spotlight follows the release of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Existing players can upgrade their original copy for $4.99 via the Nintendo eShop, while new players can purchase the Switch 2 Edition (excluding the Happy Home Paradise DLC) for $64.99.
However, those hoping for a wealth of new content may come away disappointed. The Switch 2 Edition introduces only a handful of new features, and the additions are subtle.
The anticipated bump in resolution is modest, offering a slight visual improvement but falling short of a substantial generational leap.
One returning feature, the megaphone, originally seen in the Nintendo 3DS era, requires players to progress before it becomes accessible.
For those who enjoy island socializing, the capability to host up to 12 resident friends on your island represents a minor improvement.
Still, this feature will primarily benefit a limited segment of dedicated players. Perhaps the most notable new addition is optional mouse control support.
In an official statement, Nintendo highlighted this feature as an innovative way to interact with the game on the Switch 2, especially for users who prefer to play docked.
In practice, however, the feature’s usefulness is limited.
Mouse controls, only available with detached Joy-Cons and operational exclusively with the right controller, can feel sluggish.
Many gamers may find using a capacitive stylus on the touchscreen during handheld play remains a superior option.
Mouse input’s awkward implementation restricts its appeal and utility. Beyond these incremental changes, there is little to justify even the modest $4.99 upgrade cost.
While free and previously introduced DLC remains accessible across both versions, there are no significant gameplay enhancements or fresh experiences for players who have already invested hundreds of hours since the game’s original release.
Nintendo Switch Online membership is still required for online features, and the Happy Home Paradise DLC must be purchased separately. Critical reviews have reflected disappointment regarding the value offered by the Switch 2 Edition.
While Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains enjoyable, the limited scope of the upgrade means fans expecting major new content will likely be left wanting.
As the platform transitions to new hardware, expectations rise, and minor improvements do not always justify repeat purchases. In summary, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition maintains the series’ trademark charm and relaxing gameplay, but falls short as a compelling paid upgrade or standalone release.
The update pack, though attractively priced, offers little new content and may not convince lapsed players to return.
With ongoing ports and modest changes, it may be time for Nintendo to consider a true next-generation entry in the Animal Crossing series.
The game became a cultural phenomenon during the pandemic, helping millions of players stay connected through its charming, laid-back island life simulation.
With nearly 50 million units sold as of early 2024, it sits firmly as the second best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch.
Now, Nintendo revisits this modern classic with the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which offers both an economical upgrade for existing owners and a full-price release for newcomers on the next-generation hardware. New Horizons’ return to the gaming spotlight follows the release of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Existing players can upgrade their original copy for $4.99 via the Nintendo eShop, while new players can purchase the Switch 2 Edition (excluding the Happy Home Paradise DLC) for $64.99.
However, those hoping for a wealth of new content may come away disappointed. The Switch 2 Edition introduces only a handful of new features, and the additions are subtle.
The anticipated bump in resolution is modest, offering a slight visual improvement but falling short of a substantial generational leap.
One returning feature, the megaphone, originally seen in the Nintendo 3DS era, requires players to progress before it becomes accessible.
For those who enjoy island socializing, the capability to host up to 12 resident friends on your island represents a minor improvement.
Still, this feature will primarily benefit a limited segment of dedicated players. Perhaps the most notable new addition is optional mouse control support.
In an official statement, Nintendo highlighted this feature as an innovative way to interact with the game on the Switch 2, especially for users who prefer to play docked.
In practice, however, the feature’s usefulness is limited.
Mouse controls, only available with detached Joy-Cons and operational exclusively with the right controller, can feel sluggish.
Many gamers may find using a capacitive stylus on the touchscreen during handheld play remains a superior option.
Mouse input’s awkward implementation restricts its appeal and utility. Beyond these incremental changes, there is little to justify even the modest $4.99 upgrade cost.
While free and previously introduced DLC remains accessible across both versions, there are no significant gameplay enhancements or fresh experiences for players who have already invested hundreds of hours since the game’s original release.
Nintendo Switch Online membership is still required for online features, and the Happy Home Paradise DLC must be purchased separately. Critical reviews have reflected disappointment regarding the value offered by the Switch 2 Edition.
While Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains enjoyable, the limited scope of the upgrade means fans expecting major new content will likely be left wanting.
As the platform transitions to new hardware, expectations rise, and minor improvements do not always justify repeat purchases. In summary, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition maintains the series’ trademark charm and relaxing gameplay, but falls short as a compelling paid upgrade or standalone release.
The update pack, though attractively priced, offers little new content and may not convince lapsed players to return.
With ongoing ports and modest changes, it may be time for Nintendo to consider a true next-generation entry in the Animal Crossing series.
