Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0 update

Island life is getting brand new horizons. Nintendo has confirmed that Animal Crossing will receive its biggest update in years on January 15, 2026. A free Version 3.0 update packed with content for every player on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, alongside the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game.

For me, this update feels like a rediscovery of New Horizons not just patch notes.

A Waterfront Resort to Revitalize Your Island

One of the cornerstones of 3.0 is the Resort Hotel. A full new facility where your pier used to be. Run by Kapp’n and his family, this hotel brings a blend of creativity and community to each island.

Players can design the rooms using their own furniture or new items unlocked through the update. Each completed room earns Hotel Tickets that unlock exclusive souvenirs and décor.

This facility adds another layer of purpose and progression to your island, giving longtime players fresh goals and new creative challenges.

Slumber Islands: Dream, Build, Collaborate

3.0 also introduces the Slumber Islands, dreamlike spaces accessed from your main island where players can build completely customized realms. You can shape rivers, cliffs, and terrain, rearrange items without restriction, and invite friends to help design and decorate these worlds together

It’s a feature that turns your ideas into immersive mini-islands, perfect for themed builds, storytelling, or collaborative play.

Quality-of-Life Upgrades You’ll Appreciate

3.0 doesn’t just add big new hubs. They’ve also answers long-standing player requests. Key gameplay improvements include:

• Expanded home storage, boosting capacity up to 9,000 items and even allowing trees, flowers, and shrubs to be stored.

• Batch crafting and improved crafting menus that draw materials directly from storage.

• Resetti’s Cleanup Service to clear sections of your island or move items back to storage.

These enhancements make managing your island less of a chore and more about enjoying the spaces you build.

Expanded Amiibo & Collaboration Content

3.0 also broadens amiibo compatibility and adds fun collaboration content to your island. New items and villagers inspired by The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon can be invited via amiibo cards, while LEGO furniture and Nintendo retro collectibles bring playful décor into your world.

Whether you’re decorating with memorabilia or sharing custom outfits with hotel guests, there’s a wealth of new ways to personalize your space.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition — Optional Enhancements

Alongside the free 3.0 update, Nintendo is launching Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.

Here’s some of the bonuses the Switch 2 edition brings:

• 4K resolution visuals in TV mode, making your island clearer than ever.

• Mouse controls with the Joy-Con 2 controller for precise decorating.

• An in-game megaphone that uses the console microphone to call villagers.

• Up to 12 players with everyone on Switch 2.

• CameraPlay and GameChat, adding visual voice chat to online sessions.

Players who already own the original game can upgrade for a fee, while new purchasers can grab the full physical or digital version at launch.

Why This Update Is Special

3.0 is a statement that this version of Animal Crossing still has stories to tell and dreams to build. From the elegance of the Resort Hotel to the unlimited creativity of Slumber Islands, this update blends meaningful features with joyful design moments. W

ith support across both existing Switch systems and the new hardware, it brings longtime islanders and new players together for another remarkable chapter in New Horizons history.