Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition Announced With Major Free 3.0 Update

Nintendo has officially announced the arrival of Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, set to launch on January 15th with a significant free update, Ver.

3.0.

Building on the record-breaking success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons—one of the top-selling titles on the Nintendo Switch platform since its original release in 2020—this new edition is tailored to leverage the power and features of the newer Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition introduces several enhancements designed to provide a refreshed gameplay experience for both new and returning players.

Notable new features include Mouse Mode integration, enabling more precise and intuitive home decoration and clothing customization.

A new Microphone item has also been added, allowing players to vocally interact with villagers for the first time in the series.

Significant upgrades have been made to visuals and frame rate, which take full advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2's improved hardware capabilities.

Additional updates include expanded Camera and GameChat functionalities, offering a richer and more connected Animal Crossing experience. Existing owners of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the original Switch can access all these new features by purchasing an Upgrade Pack, priced at $4.99.

For newcomers or those looking to play on the latest hardware, the complete Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is available for $64.99 in both digital and physical formats via the Nintendo eShop and retailers. Coinciding with the Switch 2 Edition release is the robust free update, Ver.

3.0, which introduces a host of exciting content expansions.

Players can look forward to decorating a new resort hotel operated by Kapp'n and his family, significantly increased home storage (now supporting up to 9,000 items), and the arrival of Sonny Resetti, who now assists with an island clean-up service.

The much-anticipated 'Slumber Island' feature offers a dreamy fresh start for creative island projects with friends, and further enhancements include expanded Animal Crossing amiibo compatibility.

Additionally, the update brings in collaboration items and events with classic Nintendo franchises such as LEGO, Zelda, and Splatoon, enriching the crossover appeal and engagement for longtime fans. Nintendo’s continued investment in Animal Crossing: New Horizons underlines the title’s cultural and commercial impact, with the series surpassing 42 million units sold worldwide as of 2023.

The Switch 2 Edition and substantial 3.0 free update are poised to extend the game’s legacy on the next generation of Nintendo Switch hardware, offering fresh content and technical improvements to an already vibrant and creative community. Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and the Ver.

3.0 update will be available on January 15th, cementing the game’s status as a flagship title in the Nintendo Switch library and a must-play for fans seeking new adventures on their upgraded consoles.

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