Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released at just the right time. Right at the start of the pandemic, the game offered people a way to connect digitally, when in-person meetups were rare, and people were staying home. However, as the pandemic came to an end and people returned to their pre-pandemic routines, the world of Animal Crossing grew quiet. But that is about to change right now.
Animal Crossing for the Switch 2
Ever since the Switch 2 was first announced, Animal Crossing players have waited for news on their favorite franchise. But events came and went without a word. Until a week ago, that is. And while some players are disappointed with the lack of an entirely new game, New Horizons is going to receive a Switch 2 version. But that’s not all. All players will receive a free update in January that addresses some of my biggest gripes with the game.
The Switch 2 version will include five main improvements. The first is improved graphics and resolution. The game will run at up to 4K resolution when connected to a TV or monitor. This will result in significant visual upgrades. Further, players can use the right Joy-Con’s mouse functionality to decorate their homes. What sounds like a slight improvement on paper could be huge for those who regularly spend hours decorating their islands and homes.
And if you’re frequently struggling to find your villagers, you will be able to use a brand-new megaphone to call out to them. They will reply, revealing their location to you. Say goodbye to endlessly chasing after villagers.
The final improvements concern multiplayer gameplay. With the Switch 2 version, you can invite up to 12 friends to your island at once. On top of that, you can use your console camera to see your friends and their reactions while playing. Please note that to utilize this functionality long-term, a Nintendo Online membership is required.
The New Horizons Free Update
Don’t worry if you don’t own a Nintendo Switch 2. Regular Switch players are not being left out, and a big update has now arrived for the game. The update is free, so no need to pay for anything extra. And while it was originally supposed to be released tomorrow, you can download it right now!
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jetzt ansehenOne of the most significant changes is the introduction of a hotel on the pier. The hotel will attract guests from far and wide who expect premium treatment and service. Decorate their rooms and unlock new furniture and clothes through the hotel gift shop in the process.
And if you start up your game for the first time in a long while, and realize that some parts of your island don’t fit your style anymore, don’t fret! Resetti is making a comeback with this update. But this time, he won’t scold you for turning off the game without saving. Instead, he’s going to help you reset and clean up parts of your island.
But that’s not all for those of you who really enjoy decorating. With the new update, you are able to access three dream islands that you can visit and customize with your friends or alone. Here, your creativity knows no bounds, and you can try out new styles without having to uproot your main island.
Another big change that I am personally excited for is the ability to finally craft in bulk. Whereas you had to craft each packet of bait separately before, you can now craft them all in one go.
Lastly, the game introduces several new object interactions and amiibo integration. With the right amiibos, you will be able to summon new items and villagers inspired by The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon, and LEGO.
When Can I Play?
Both the Nintendo Switch 2 version and the free update were originally scheduled for release on January 15th. But many players report that the update has arrived early, meaning that you can download Animal Crossing 3.0 right now.
Are you looking forward to this new update? Which feature is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
