Animal Crossing: New Horizons Arrives on Switch 2 with New Free Content update Jan. 15

Written by Prashant Pathak,
Published: 31 October 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, Nintendo has something the fans had been waiting for, and the curtain has finally been lifted – a new Animal Crossing: New Horizons experience. On January 15, 2026, the game that Nintendo refers to as the “fill your sails” life-simulation game would be officially sailing to the Nintendo Switch 2 in a special and free content update.

The better visuals, smoother performance, and tons of new features are sure to win the hearts of both first-time and long-time players. According to Nintendo, this release honors the members’ creativity by providing more options to design, decorate, and thrive on their own island. Here is what the edition with the Nintendo switch 2 has to offer:

This also includes faster loading times and a more streamlined operation of the new hardware. The latest Joy-Con 2 controls provided by Nintendo have been thoroughly adjusted, so everything you can perform, from assembling furniture to planting flowers, feels amazing. If you like personalizing your island game to be exactly your own, you’re going to love this.

Brand New Features Andrea Turn Your Life A Lot More Fun. The company adds numerous entertaining facilities that create this illusion of actual life in the city. The first is said to be a microphone interaction system that enables the player to call their villagers by name and hear their reactions, making daily life on the island more pleasant and enjoyable. The multiplayer mode has also been significantly enhanced. Up to twelve participants can now enjoy playing together on just one island. That must be even more pleasing for parties, festivals, and other gatherings. The last is a new camera mode in which the player may take wonderful snapshots and capture precious moments with their mates while roaming around the city.

For those planning to upgrade, the new version will cost $64.99, while existing players can switch to the new edition for just $4.99, which is a fair deal for all the new content coming in.

And no matter if you’re purchasing the new edition or not, there is even greater news — everyone will have an access to the free content update launching on the same day. The updated game includes new locations to visit, additional furniture, and new styles for your clothes to make your island even more your own. Another prominent feature is the Resort Hotel. Your character can decorate guest rooms and host people from different islands. The size of storage was extended to 9000 slots so you will no longer have to make hard decisions on what to keep.

Ever seen it arrived in 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was more than a game: it was a tranquil digital retreat for millions of players worldwide. With a soothing vibe and vast artistic potential, it has attracted gamers of all ages, and the excitement about this one would undoubtedly be renewed as the Switch 2 Edition and a free update approach. With much more creative digital audio, faster loading times, and much more innovative gaming, this release is bound to be exciting.