Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a massive hit when it launched just over six years ago (man, time flies!), but it seemed like Nintendo’s support for the game had come to an end. Then, the company surprised us all when it unveiled the game wouldn’t just be getting a performance-enhanced Switch 2 version, but there would be a huge, completely free, content update for all players. Both the update and Switch 2 version were set to drop tomorrow, January 15, but Nintendo had one last surprise in store for us – the 3.0 update is available now.
After seeing commotion about it online, we at Game Informer have personally verified that the update is available now, and based on similar reports from the fine folks at Eurogamer, this early launch does not seem to be isolated to the US.
There’s no special trick to acquiring it either – 3.0 started downloading on my console as soon as I woke it up this morning. If it doesn’t download for you right away, hover over the application on your Switch’s home screen, press the plus button on the right side of your controller, and head to the “Software Update” portion of the menu, and select “Via the Internet.”
While the 3.0 update is live, the Switch 2 Upgrade is not live. It’s a purchase in the Switch 2 eShop ($4.99 in the US) set to go live tomorrow, and at the time of writing, Nintendo hasn’t pulled the trigger on launching it quite yet.
That said, if I could only pick one of the two updates to launch early, this would be the one. Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ 3.0 update has the bulk of new content, including the hotel on Kapp’n’s pier, the addition of Slumber Islands, and several new lines of crossover furniture. By contrast, the Switch 2 upgrade provides a performance boost, allows you to play with more people online, and integrates some of the Switch 2’s new features (like mouse controls and GameChat) into regular gameplay.
For more on the new content, check out my impressions from a hands-off preview from last month.
Will you be jumping back into Animal Crossing with the new update? Let us know in the comments!
It’s exciting to see the latest update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons roll out! The game has truly captured so many hearts over the years. Looking forward to seeing what new features and experiences this update brings!
I totally agree! The new update really enhances the gameplay experience. I’m especially looking forward to exploring the new island features and customizing my space even more. It’s amazing how the game continues to evolve after all this time!
I’m glad you’re excited about the update! The new features really do add a lot of depth to the game. I’m particularly looking forward to the new character interactions and how they might change our daily routines on the island.
Absolutely! The new features really enhance the gameplay experience. I’m especially looking forward to how the added customization options will let players express their creativity even more. It’s a great time to jump back into the game!
to exploring the new island customization options! It’s great to see how the updates keep the game fresh and engaging after all this time. Have you tried any of the new DIY recipes yet?