Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch Players Get the Update on January 15/26
Animal Crossing New Horizons has confirmed there is an update coming on January 15, 2026. The new gameplay is going to be amazing!
If anyone asked what my main game is I’d instantly say Fortnite. I love the game and play as often as I can. But my second main game…
…is Animal Crossing.
I know, they are completely different vibes. One is filled with shooting and focuses overpowering other players. The other is all chill vibes and calmness.
Animal Crossing is what got me back into gaming though. Back in December of 2023 when I got myself a Switch, I had no idea I would love video games so much. It took me some time to figure out what I liked. But once I got ACNH, I was hooked.
Since then, I’ve built two islands. The first one, my music festival island is a dream now (you can visit it if you want — the DA is DA-5807–1839–6756) but I still go visit it sometimes. The second one is a lake life island and it is almost finished. Before I save the DA for the lake life island, I’ll record the first one so I have a copy of it.
An ACNH Update is Coming!!!
Fans of ACNH are freaking out today after Nintendo released a video with highlights of all the new updates for ACNH just this morning. And ya, that includes me.
Previously, we were all led to believe that there would not be any new updates for ACHN in the future. We were all resigned to believe that we would just have to sit tight and wait for a new game. And we all knew that might not be for a couple more years based on previous releases.
I’ll share the YouTube video at the bottom but if you don’t want to watch here’s the highlights:
ACNH Updates for Switch 2 Users Only
There are several updates for Switch 2 users. The main thing is that they’ve updated the graphics so users can enjoy even cleaner gameplay. Everything just looks more crisp!
Also, the Switch 2 Joycons can take advantage of mouse controls in the new ACNH update. That mean you’ll be able to more easily move furniture around, create custom designs, and write messages on the bulletin board.
The new megaphone will definitely come in handy. With the megaphone feature and the built in microphone on your Switch 2, you will be able to call out to your villagers and they’ll answer you. Just follow their response and you’ll find them more easily. I don’t know how many of you have be unable to find a villager when you’re trying to bring them a present or complete a request from them but, it’s happened to me many times!
There are also some expanded online features in the ACNH update for Switch 2 players. In the past, you’ve been able to have up to 8 visitors from other islands (friends, not villagers) but if all of them are Switch 2 users, you’ll be able to have 12 visitors, now. You’ll also be able to use live voice chat, so no more writing in messages or setting up a Discord to chat! Also, if players have a web cam set up, you can see their live reactions to play in a little icon above their character’s heads. Cute right?
The new online features definitely will make the game more fun to play with friends.
ACNH Updates for Everyone
This is something ACNH fans didn’t expect for sure and definitely not to this extent — old Switch users will also get updates and they are pretty exciting. These updates will release the same day as the Switch 2 updates — January 15, 2026.
I’m not sure where to start because it’s all so exciting but let’s just start from the beginning.
New Local, Old Faces
We all know where to find Kapp’n — on the pier. We’ve used him to go to islands where we can find resources, fish, and so on. But as of January 15, 2026 there will be something new on the pier — a hotel!
Yes, a whole new building will give ACNH players on all Switches a whole new experience.
The hotel is run by Kapp’n and his family and looks like it is going to be so much fun!
Inside the hotel, there are rooms to decorate. They all have a theme and you can choose items from the suggested theme decor, as well as from items you’ve already personally accumulated. This gives you loads of options to create the rooms you want.
The hotel will attract guests from off your island so you’ll have loads of chances to meet villagers you’ve never met before. Of course, you can also invite villagers via amiibo cards.
Each time you decorate a room, you’ll get 200 hotel tickets. What are these for? Buying stuff of course. There’s a souvenir shop in the hotel where you can buy featured items. This will include both hotel themed items and some brand new exclusive and rare items that look exciting.
You’ll see some mannequins at the front of the souvenir shop, too. Dress them up and you’ll be able to wear the outfits you create. Your island visitors (including visiting friends from other islands) can wear the outfits while they are there, too!
Don’t forget to check the bulletin board outside the hotel on the pier. There will be requests from villagers from other islands for items that will help build brand recognition for your hotel. Craft these items and turn them into Kapp’n and he’ll give you hotel tickets in exchange and then deliver the goods.
Also, if you watch the video carefully, you’ll pick up on an update that they don’t specify in they voice over…the ability to craft multiple items at once!!! OMG. I’m sorry but this one really gets me. I’m super psyched for this update. Here’s a screenshot for proof:
More Convenience
Some of us ACHN players like to collect things. Personally, I hate throwing out or selling anything. I don’t know what I’m going to need it for. LOL.
Now I won’t have to because storage is growing!
Previously, storage had a maximum capacity of 5000 items. With the ACNH update you’ll be able to get 7,000 and then 9,000 spaces for storage. And of course, Tom Nook is going to charge a pretty bell for that! I’m fine with that though because I can keep more things!
You’ll also be able to store plants and shrubs. That’s definitely cool because then I can save my non-seasonal shrubs instead of throwing them out or selling them when I want to make room for the seasonal ones.
He’s Back…
That’s right, one of the fan favorite ACNH characters from the old games is coming back in a bigger capacity — Rosetti!
You might have seen Rosetti having coffee at Brewster’s Coffee Shop from time to time but that’s the biggest appearance he’s had in the game unless you have his amiibo.
Rosetti is back though, doing what he does best — cleaning up!
You’ll be able to summon him (via your phone probably) to clean up on your island. He can clean up an area, the beach, or the whole island.
My immediate thought was this is great for weeds, flowers and stuff like that. And it should work, even if you want to keep your flowers. He asks what you want to do with them, giving you the option to dispose of flowers and start from scratch or keep them in your storage and use them for decorations later on.
And, imagine if you want to reset your island? There’s no need to pick up everything, dig up all the flowers, and so on. Just bring on Rosetti. Of course you’ll still have to do some terraforming likely and move buildings. But overall, this will be a dream for those who want a soft reset!
Dream a Little Dream — or Three!
Luna has been our friend when we want to visit someone’s island when they aren’t online or want inspiration from other islands. Or, like me, want to visit an old island.
Now, she’s got a whole new option for us — Slumber Islands! And yes, that is plural! You can have up to three Slumber Islands. What does that mean? Does it matter? Well, let me tell you what is is first…
Slumber Island is…well, basically a new island you can decorate and have fun on to your heart’s content. Plant trees and flowers, decorate with items you have already obtained, terraform, add bridges and inclines. Select the time of day and the weather on your island, too!
This is a great way to experiment with a new island theme idea. Thinking about a cyberpunk themed island? Or maybe a holiday theme? Now you don’t have to rip down everything you’ve created and start over. You can create a Slumber Island and have fun with it.
And the cool thing is, you can invite your friends to come and create a group Slumber Island. Maybe you want a family island. Maybe you want to dedicate an island to a loved one or to pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge. Maybe you want an island dedicated to your love of Taylor Swift. The opportunities are endless.
Slumber Islands can come in various sizes, too — small, medium, and large.
And, you can invite your villagers to come and join you!
Cool Collabs are Coming!
I love a good collaboration between games and Animal Crossing is smart to build some more collabs into the game. Previously, they have introduced Hello Kitty and Sanrio collaborations.
Now, they are bringing three new joint gaming features:
- Nintendo: toys, game systems, and games on the systems that you can play!
- LEGO: furniture and decor
- Zelda: decor, characters, and villagers you can invite to live on your island
- Splatoon: decor and characters
So, what do you think?
I think this is going to bring on a whole pile of ACNH players that dropped the game after running out of things to do. And that means more ACNH streamers.
Personally, it means I’m going to get my shit together and get my streaming set up ready to play some ACHN on stream. I’m looking forward to interacting with some cozy gamers. I love Fortnite but ACHN is special to me.
It also means, I’m considering buying the Switch 2 a little sooner than later. I was planning on waiting until a new ACNH comes out but maybe I’ll jump the gun and get a Switch 2 sooner than later.
CLICK HERE to get the Nintendo Switch 2 on Amazon!
Watch the whole announcement video:
