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Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update and Switch 2 Edition Launch January 15

Early previews point to faster decorating via mouse-style controls, sandbox islands for experiments, plus a hotel that pays out Tickets.

Overview

  • Nintendo will release the free 3.0 patch alongside the upgraded Switch 2 edition on January 15, 2026, with previewers noting performance on the original Switch remains unverified until launch.
  • On Switch 2, Joy‑Con 2 mouse controls allow grab‑and‑drag placement and multi‑select to speed up indoor decorating.
  • Quality‑of‑life additions include multi‑item crafting, pulling materials from home storage, Resetti’s Reset Service for rapid cleanups, and reported tweaks that smooth terraforming movement.
  • Slumber Islands provide separate sandboxes where players can set time and weather, summon any catalog item, and place bridges or inclines instantly by talking to Lloid.
  • The update introduces a hotel that awards Tickets for decorating guest rooms, with some collab items gated by Amiibo while LEGO and Nintendo Classic sets are purchasable with bells or Tickets; pricing is $5 to upgrade or $64.99 for the full Switch 2 release.