Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update Sneak Peek Quietly Lands on Switch

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting its next major DLC expansion later this month, after years of silence.

It came as a surprise to pretty much everyone when Animal Crossing: New Horizons announced a new expansion, accompanying the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game.

While the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade will be paid-content a free update will be released at the same time, adding new items, more villagers inspired by The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon, in addition to the Resort Hotel, a new area.

Prior to the update’s launch on 15 January, Nintendo has released the soundtrack for the new hotel on the Nintendo Switch Online page, and as you’d expect it’s very, very cosy. Some immaculate vibes.

The Resort Hotel will function as a new island that villagers will randomly appear on. Players can also scan their amiibo and amiibo cards to invite specific villagers should they wish. The villagers can then be invited to stay at the hotel, with players then having the task of designing the perfect rooms for their guests. For a job well done they’ll be rewarded with coupons that can be spent on exclusive furniture and D.I.Y items, much like the Happy Home Paradise expansion.

Nintendo

It’s quite a hefty update and should be exactly what players need to return to the game, even if for a few months.

Personally I haven’t touched Animal Crossing: New Horizons in ages, but I’d be lying if I said the new Nintendo-inspired items and villagers aren’t tempting me to return, as is the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade.

There’s only one downside to all of this new content. It’s made it abundantly clear that a new game isn’t coming out anytime soon.

Animal Crossing is celebrating a major anniversary this year and many will have probably been expecting a new game announcement to celebrate it.

While that could still happen, this update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons feels like Nintendo’s way of doing something within its anniversary year, while it secretly works on the next game. Never say never though.

The paid Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade and free Resort Hotel update will be dropping for Animal Crossing: New Horizons on 15 January, so perhaps it’s time to start a new island or return to the one you were previously playing on. What else are we to do while we wait for a new game?