Animal Crossing Drops Free Gift For 25th Anniversary You Can't Miss

Animal Crossing is celebrating its 25th anniversary with some sweet free gifts for fans, available on your Nintendo Switch right now.

The Animal Crossing series first began its life in 2001, on the Nintendo 64, if you could believe it.

Dōbutsu no Mori - also known as Animal Forest - was a Japanese-exclusive before it was eventually ported to the Nintendo GameCube in 2002 as Animal Crossing.

It was an enhanced port that quickly gained notoriety and eventually blossomed into the critically-acclaimed series we know of today.

Nintendo is now honouring one of its most-popular franchises with some free goodies for your Nintendo Switch that’ll surely give you a dose of nostalgia.

Animal Crossing Goodness Available On Your Switch Right Now

Through the recently released Version 3.0.2 update, Nintendo has added a gorgeous new decoration for your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island.

A gigantic leaf reminiscent of Animal Crossing: New Leaf has dropped, which you can slap down wherever you see fit to celebrate the series’ anniversary milestone.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is widely considered the best of the bunch in terms of gameplay and unlockable content.

Whilst featuring all of the usual amenities you’d expect from an Animal Crossing game, it also featured some new additions that Animal Crossing: New Horizons was sorely missing at launch, and is still missing today.

One highlight was the Amiibo functionality and how you could summon new, exclusive villagers inspired by other Nintendo games. For instance, you could have the demonic Legend of Zelda boss Ganon as your next-door neighbour, how fun is that?

This latest freebie doesn’t quite bring New Horizons to the same standard New Leaf set, but it’s still a nice touch.

Nintendo is also offering a bonus freebie for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Those who have a valid membership and can access the Nintendo Music app will find the soundtrack from the original Animal Crossing available for free. 158 tracks are featured on the playlist and listening to the whole thing will take you over five hours in one sitting.

It’s a very happy 25th anniversary for Animal Crossing, and now fans are looking forward to the next game in the series.

Nintendo is yet to officially announce one but it’s more than likely in development for the Nintendo Switch 2 right now, it’s only a matter of time before it’s confirmed.

In the meantime, enjoy your New Leaf-inspired freebie on Animal Crossing: New Horizons, available now.

READ MORE: Animal Crossing Gets Surprise Free PlayStation Release