Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update Released Ahead of Schedule

The 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons has dropped earlier than many anticipated and is ready for download now. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade and its related update remain locked until January 15.

These dual updates for New Horizons were first revealed late last year, surprising fans after Nintendo had previously stated in 2021 that the 2.0 update would be the final content addition for the game. The Switch 2 update introduces new quality-of-life improvements that leverage the enhanced hardware, such as mouse controls for decorating and pattern design, along with an expanded multiplayer capacity from eight to twelve players. The 3.0 update, available on all consoles, brings a host of new features, including a hotel on the pier that players can help decorate, a variety of new items, and a reset service managed by Resetti.

Some fans speculated that this early release was a possibility, given that the Switch 2 upgrade pack was set to launch on the Nintendo eShop at midnight on January 15 in New Zealand. This timing meant that for players in that time zone to fully enjoy the upgraded version and its new content, the 3.0 update needed to be rolled out early for most users. While the 3.0 update is now accessible to everyone, players will have to wait for the official release date in their region to access the Nintendo Switch 2 update.

To get the update, players can navigate to the New Horizons game options on the Switch home screen and select the software update option. Once the update is installed, players can dive into the new content, provided they’ve already unlocked Kapp’n. Upon loading the game, Isabelle will announce the opening of the hotel on the pier, and players can find Resetti wandering around the island, where he’ll explain his new island resetting process. With the 3.0 update now live and the Switch 2 update on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to revisit your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island.