Animal Crossing: New Horizons Receives Notable Performance Boost on Nintendo Switch 2
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been a defining title for the Nintendo Switch since its record-breaking debut in March 2020, quickly becoming one of Nintendo’s best-selling games.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, the beloved life simulation has now made the leap to the company’s latest hardware with the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
This new version arrives alongside the much-anticipated 3.0.0 update and is available for purchase on both the original Nintendo Switch and its successor, Nintendo Switch 2, via the Nintendo eShop and retail outlets. Significant Improvement in Load Times A major enhancement in the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is dramatically improved load times.
Testing reveals that the time it takes to enter players’ islands and access menus has been reduced by roughly 50 percent compared to the original Nintendo Switch hardware.
This significant speed boost makes visiting friends, rearranging your home, or simply starting daily routines a noticeably smoother experience. Resolution Upgrades with Consistent Frame Rate While the core visuals and graphical assets in Animal Crossing: New Horizons remain unchanged, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition takes advantage of enhanced hardware capabilities to offer a sizable resolution upgrade.
The game now runs at a crisp 1080p in handheld mode and up to 4K when docked—providing sharper, more vibrant visuals for fans revisiting their islands or exploring new horizons.
Notably, the frame rate remains locked at 30 frames per second on Nintendo Switch 2, maintaining the game’s established feel and stability. Graphics Remain True to Original Vision Nintendo has opted not to introduce any additional graphical enhancements besides the increased resolution.
This ensures that the charming art style and cozy atmosphere that define Animal Crossing: New Horizons are preserved, delivering a familiar experience for players regardless of the platform.
In a clear summary of the improvements, Nintendo stated that the primary focus of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition was to reduce load times and to introduce higher resolution support, rather than reworking graphical details or performance beyond the original design. 3.0.0 Update and Availability In addition to the hardware-specific upgrades, the launch of the Switch 2 Edition coincides with the rollout of the substantial 3.0.0 update, available free for all Animal Crossing: New Horizons players.
This update adds a variety of new features and quality of life improvements, enhancing gameplay for both new and returning residents. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is now available globally.
Whether you’re a longtime islander or a newcomer, the latest enhancements and updates solidify the game’s legacy as a staple of the Nintendo Switch library—and now, a standout experience on Nintendo Switch 2.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, the beloved life simulation has now made the leap to the company’s latest hardware with the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
This new version arrives alongside the much-anticipated 3.0.0 update and is available for purchase on both the original Nintendo Switch and its successor, Nintendo Switch 2, via the Nintendo eShop and retail outlets. Significant Improvement in Load Times A major enhancement in the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is dramatically improved load times.
Testing reveals that the time it takes to enter players’ islands and access menus has been reduced by roughly 50 percent compared to the original Nintendo Switch hardware.
This significant speed boost makes visiting friends, rearranging your home, or simply starting daily routines a noticeably smoother experience. Resolution Upgrades with Consistent Frame Rate While the core visuals and graphical assets in Animal Crossing: New Horizons remain unchanged, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition takes advantage of enhanced hardware capabilities to offer a sizable resolution upgrade.
The game now runs at a crisp 1080p in handheld mode and up to 4K when docked—providing sharper, more vibrant visuals for fans revisiting their islands or exploring new horizons.
Notably, the frame rate remains locked at 30 frames per second on Nintendo Switch 2, maintaining the game’s established feel and stability. Graphics Remain True to Original Vision Nintendo has opted not to introduce any additional graphical enhancements besides the increased resolution.
This ensures that the charming art style and cozy atmosphere that define Animal Crossing: New Horizons are preserved, delivering a familiar experience for players regardless of the platform.
In a clear summary of the improvements, Nintendo stated that the primary focus of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition was to reduce load times and to introduce higher resolution support, rather than reworking graphical details or performance beyond the original design. 3.0.0 Update and Availability In addition to the hardware-specific upgrades, the launch of the Switch 2 Edition coincides with the rollout of the substantial 3.0.0 update, available free for all Animal Crossing: New Horizons players.
This update adds a variety of new features and quality of life improvements, enhancing gameplay for both new and returning residents. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is now available globally.
Whether you’re a longtime islander or a newcomer, the latest enhancements and updates solidify the game’s legacy as a staple of the Nintendo Switch library—and now, a standout experience on Nintendo Switch 2.
