One morning, one a random Thursday, I turned on YouTube and saw Nintendo had uploaded a video about Animal Crossing. I thought it might have been a promo for something or maybe they were celebrating an Animal Crossing anniversary or something.

At first glance, I thought the video was two-and-a-half minutes, not twelve-and-a-half minutes. I had assumed it was a trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions. So, I clicked on it. Then quickly realized it was a mini Direct.

And boy, was it news I didn’t know I needed.

 

Switching from the Switch to the Switch 2

I’ll admit, I can’t remember the last time I turned on my Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. As much as I love that series, there’s only so much you can do in one day since it’s based off IRL time. It can take years to be a completionist in Animal Crossing and it’s difficult to do when most of your friends are no longer playing the game.

To complicate things further, Nintendo stopped updates on the game in early 2022, just shy of the title’s two-year release anniversary.

To be honest, I thought that meant a new Animal Crossing title was in the works. Unfortunately, over the years, I’d since forgotten about that thought.

Now, three years later, Nintendo has updated the game slightly only twice to help configure the game onto the Nintendo Switch 2.

I have yet to transfer my island from my Nintendo Switch to my Switch 2 because I had heard stories here and there on the internet about people’s islands getting completely wiped. That wasn’t a risk I was willing to take, especially since I haven’t turned on the game in well over a year… maybe two years. I don’t know, I’m sure my villagers will let me know the exact day count the next time I visit the island.

But now that Animal Crossing is receiving a Switch 2 Edition with lots of fancy updates, I will certainly be hopping aboard that train.

Would I have a liked a brand new Animal Crossing game? Yes, of course. In fact, I’m kind of shocked they’re not doing that, but Nintendo has a habit of remastering and porting games from one console to the next. So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

That said, I’m happy to take what I can get. A New Horizons update is enough for now and I’m super excited to head back to my island and visit my villagers once again.

Out with the old in with the new, or old habits die hard?

Part of the reason I haven’t transferred my island was because I didn’t want to accidentally mess it up and lose everything. However, given the amount of updates the Switch 2 Edition is getting, part of me wants to start over.

It’s been so long since I’ve played and I’ve already done most of what I can in-game. Other than the new updates, I’ve already “beaten” New Horizons.

So, the question is: do I go back to the game just for the updates, or do I start from scratch and get the full effect of the game with its new updates?

I’m leaning toward starting from scratch, but that makes me extremely sad for my current island and its residents.

Luckily, I have roughly two months to think about it and figure out what I want to do, because here’s the other thing: I knew I’d get the Switch 2 Edition at some point because… well, it’s Animal Crossing. Duh. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t iffy about it because of the price.

Honestly, I assumed the upgrade from the Switch to the Switch 2 Edition would be at least $20 and, guess what? It’s only $4.99.

I’m definitely getting it and there’s a good chance I’ll end up starting my island from scratch. Which makes me a bit sad, but it’ll also make me feel like I’m playing a brand new Animal Crossing game with the same familiarity I had with it in 2020.

 

Let’s Talk Updates

 

NINTENDO SWITCH 2 EDITION

 

Enhanced resolution for improved graphics

This is obviously a nice touch, and I don’t think I have much to say about it. The Switch 2 is more powerful by default, thus should have better graphics. Animal Crossing always ran smooth on my Switch, but having it on the Switch 2 will make it look and feel sharper.

Mouse controls

I have yet to try mouse controls on any game on the Nintendo Switch 2. When that was first announced, I thought it was an odd feature to add, if I’m honest. It’s cool, of course, but something out of left field.

In Animal Crossing, the mouse controls can be used to easily redecorate your home which actually sounds enticing. I look forward to giving that a try. But can we use it to rearrange furniture on the island? I’m not sure, since the announcement trailer didn’t say. Being able to use mouse controls on the island will be good, but I’m thinking it might only be for the home.

Megaphone

The megaphone item makes its comeback! Truth be told, I forgot about this item and didn’t realize it wasn’t already in the game. This item made its first (and only) appearance in Animal Crossing New Leaf for Nintendo 3DS originally released in 2013.

It’s a handy tool to find a specific villager that I know will be useful to have in New Horizons.

Although, the price for the item in New Leaf was 500 bells. In New Horizons, it’s 3,500 bells. That’s the economy in a nutshell, I guess.

Lots of Friends

Do you happen to have more than seven friends? Well, eleven others can join you on your island now. With the Switch 2’s camera and in-game chat, you’ll be able to talk and even see your friends’ faces on screen.

I don’t care for this feature. I love hanging out on my island with friends, but I find the faces on screen to be distracting and can significantly lag the game. Regardless, it is cool to have the ability to invite more friends over.

 

FREE UPDATE FOR THE NINTENDO SWITCH

 

Resort Hotel with Kapp’n

Basically Happy Home Designer is joining the chat. I’m not upset about this. It brings back familiar faces and Happy Home Designer was a side Animal Crossing game that I don’t feel got the love and attention it deserved. Plus, this gives the player more things to do on their island, and more ways to play with friends.

Better Crafting & Increased Storage

Some QoL updates include easier crafting, which they show briefly in the announcement trailer but don’t mention it. One of my biggest annoyances of the New Horizons was that you can’t bulk craft items. Well, in the trailer, they do just that. It’s for the hotel part, but I’m hoping they update it for the crafting table you spread out across the island and in your home. It’d make things go so much faster.

In addition, storage can now hold 9,000 items including plants, flowers, and trees. Why? I’m not sure, but I won’t complain about the increased amount.

Resetti’s Back!

I never thought I’d see the day. Instead of yelling at us for forgetting to save, Resetti will help you around your island if you need to reset an area. Essentially, he’s the janitor of the island. If you want to redo a space, you can have Resetti clear it away for you to start over. He won’t delete the items, unless you ask, though. It’ll go into your storage. Ultimately, this will save some time (and pocket space) trying to redesign areas.

Luna’s New Dream World

Here’s another feature that’s making a comeback. The Dream World is basically a second island you can decorate, invite friends, and your current villagers, too. You can choose the island size and create up to three. Basically, it’s a sandbox mode for Animal Crossing.

This is a cool feature, and I’m sure I’ll have fun with it. However, one of the things I always wanted in New Horizons is the ability to maintain a second island. Create an empire of islands, so to speak, and be able to have more villagers come and reside on the different islands. This isn’t that, but I do hope in the future, if we ever get a brand new Animal Crossing game, we can build more than one island or village or whatever the area is. 

Collaborations

In the original Animal Crossing game for the GameCube (2002) you could get Nintendo consoles and play some old school games. Now, that feature is back along with LEGO items.

You can also get Legend of Zelda items and Splatoon items along with inviting a couple of characters to your island. The fact I can ask Tulin to join my island made me so excited. I love Tulin!

 

Launch Date & Price

The game update for the Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2 Edition both release on January 15, 2026. The Switch update is free and, if you already have the game and want to upgrade it on the Switch 2, it’s only $4.99. While I think the upgrade should be free, I do appreciate the cheap price.

 

Overall Thoughts

I still want a brand new Animal Crossing game, but I’ll take what I can get for now. I think they’re adding a decent amount of features to these updates that will allow everyone who’s played New Horizons visit their islands yet again and stay for a while.

I also appreciate that Nintendo added more of the updates to the free one rather than the Switch 2 Edition. Those extra features might entice people to buy a Switch 2 if they don’t already have one, but I believe most people will feel satisfied with the free update on the Switch without needing to fork over a few hundred dollars on a brand new console.

I guess it’s time for me to complete the games I’ve already started so I have plenty of time to give my undivided attention to my island once again come the new year!