New Animal Crossing Update Tops Nintendo eShop, Players Rush to Prepare

Animal Crossing: New Horizons players, the final countdown is underway. On 15 January, we’ll welcome the arrival of the game’s 3.0 Update.

That update is completely free and isn’t to be confused with the game’s Nintendo Switch 2 new-gen update which is also launching the same day.

The latter is not free, and will set you back $4.99 / £4.19. Already though, the new-gen update is topping the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop chart, at least in the UK.

It can be pre-ordered now so that you’re ready to dive into all that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has to offer next week following several years of dormancy.

Unsure of what separates the two updates? Don’t worry friend, I’ve got you covered.

Animal Crossing: New Horizon’s Free 3.0 Update, Everything Included

The headlining feature of the free update is that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is set to add a brand new resort hotel.

You’ll work alongside Kapp’n and his family to decorate the hotel’s rooms for guests, selecting outfits for them too, in a bid to make the hotel a must-visit destination.

The key to its success is tailoring a room’s decor to what it is that guests want and like.

Once your hotel has visiting guests, they’ll stroll around your island, giving you the opportunity to chat and catch up with some new faces.

If you have any New Horizons amiibo, you may be able to invite certain characters to your hotel.

Away from the new resort hotel, you’ll be able to craft new “special island goods” by completing tasks for Tom Nook.

I say “away from the new resort hotel” but actually, these new DIYs are very closely linked. If you deliver these special goods to Tom Nook, you’ll gain hotel tickets.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update, Credit / Nintendo

There are plenty of new items only obtainable by using hotel tickets so once acquired, you can spend them in your hotel’s souvenir shop on some cool new bits and bobs.

If you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, the update also introduces Slumber Island, a “dream island” where you can essentially start from scratch.

You can choose from three formats, decorate with friends, and essentially build a home away from home.

If you’d prefer to start your main island again, the 3.0 Update introduces Resetti’s Reset Service which does exactly what it says on the tin; it resets your island.

You can limit this to certain areas, with Resetti able to help clear flowers, decorations, and more. He’ll store anything collected in case you want to reuse it.

With the update, players will also benefit from way more storage. You can now store up to 9,000 items.

I mentioned new items before. Well, many of these are collaborative.

There are LEGO, Splatoon, and The Legend of Zelda items all up for grabs. LEGO items are available via Nook Shopping. Unfortunately, Zelda and Splatoon items are only unlocked using the relevant amiibo.

“By helping at the hotel and increasing its island brand recognition, the souvenir shop will start carrying Nintendo products, including retro toys and classic game systems,” reads the official Animal Crossing site.

That means you’ll need to purchase those with hotel tickets. It looks as if you can even play on some of the retro consoles.

Finally, the 3.0 Update is due to add some quality-of-life changes, like being able to craft multiple items at once, for example.

Animal Crossing: New Horizon’s Paid New-Gen Switch 2 Update, Everything Included

If you nab the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade, you’ll first and foremost be able to enjoy upgraded visuals with this unlocking enhanced 4K resolution. Players will also be able to make use of the Joy-Con 2 controller’s mouse controls which could prove useful when it comes to decorating and creating Custom Designs.

Another perk is that you’ll be able to play online with even more friends as the new-gen update supports up to 12 players. Of course, you will need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Within this online play, you can utilise the Nintendo Switch 2’s GameChat feature including connecting a camera.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Update, Credit / Nintendo

As for Switch 2 exclusive items, the only one we know of at this moment in time is a Megaphone, which can be purchased from Nook’s Cranny.

You can then use it to locate your friends on your island by using your Switch 2’s microphone to call their name.

So there you have it. We’ll bring you the official patch notes when they land, but there’s plenty here to get you hyped.