Animal Crossing: New Horizons fans have a lot to celebrate as Nintendo has revealed the 3.0 update, bringing the most substantial new content since the 2.0 update. With the announcement came a wave of details, new official artwork, and a trailer that teased plenty of surprises. Here’s a thorough guide on everything you need to know about ACNH 3.0: its release date, new features, villagers, items, events, and how to get your island ready for launch day.

Animal Crossing New Horizons 3.0 Update

After years of anticipation, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is receiving its next major content drop. The 3.0 update, arriving as part of the new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, promises to revitalize islands everywhere with new facilities, collaborations, and quality-of-life improvements. Nintendo’s new Japanese website and the packed trailer have given fans plenty to look forward to, but there’s more beneath the surface that hasn’t been revealed yet. Here’s your go-to guide for all things 3.0 and what you can do now to make the most of the new content.

ACNH 3.0 Release Date

The Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update is scheduled for release on January 15th, 2026. This date was confirmed in both promotional materials and the update’s main trailer. The new version coincides with the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch 2, with an upgrade pack available for existing owners for $4.99, while the full Switch 2 edition costs $64.99.

Notably, the Switch 2 version supports 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, adding sharper visuals and some new control options such as mouse support for decorating and creating pixel art or bulletin board drawings. While the frame rate remains at 30fps, the visual upgrade is apparent, especially when zooming in on items.

ACNH 3.0 New Content

With this update, Nintendo delivers an impressive array of features, collaborations, and mechanics, some of which were only hinted at in trailers and on the Japanese website. The 3.0 update brings both highly anticipated additions and surprise extras that will keep players engaged for months to come.

ACNH 3.0 New Villagers

One of the headline features is the arrival of brand new villagers for the first time in over four years. These new characters are crossover-themed and come from the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon:

• Minu: A snooty deer villager based on Mineru from Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Her design has received much praise and is expected to become a fan favorite.

• Chulin: A jock bird villager inspired by Tulin from the Zelda series.

• Cece: A peppy squirrel villager representing a fan of Shiver from Splatoon 3. She previously appeared in New Leaf but returns with a new look.

• Viche: A normal squirrel villager now themed after Frye, another Splatoon idol, updating her previous appearance from New Leaf.

To invite these crossover villagers, scanning compatible amiibo from the Zelda or Splatoon series is required. You may need the new amiibo figures for Tulin, Mineru, Shiver, and Frye, but details on compatibility with older amiibo remain partly unclear. Each scan not only gives a chance for the respective villager to visit but also unlocks themed items.

There is speculation that additional crossover villagers from previous games—such as Wolf Link, Medley, Ganon, Epona, and Inkwell—may be hidden as surprises for players to discover after release.

ACNH 3.0 New Items

Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 introduces a substantial collection of new furniture, clothing, and collaboration items:

• Hotel Set: An entirely new line of furniture exclusive to the Resort Hotel, featuring beds, lamps, dividers, luggage, and more. Players can use hotel tickets (the new currency) to redeem these items.

  
  

• Tubular Set: Modern furniture with a college dorm vibe.

• Kitty Set: Fun, cat-themed items including partitions, cars, and seesaws.

• Artful Set: Another new furniture series.

• Collaboration Items: Themed after Nintendo properties, including retro consoles such as the NES, Famicom, Game Boy, and Switch 2. These can be purchased from the souvenir shop and, with an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, each system allows play of a select classic game.

• Lego Set: A unique crossover collection with LEGO, including beds, workbenches, partitions, and clothing. The set is fully customizable with different colors and will appeal to players who want to design an entire LEGO-themed island.

ACNH 3.0 New Events & Facilities

Resort Hotel

The Resort Hotel is the centerpiece of the update, built right on the expanded dock. Players can decorate guest rooms for visiting tourists using both default and personal catalog items. Decorating earns hotel tickets, which can be exchanged for exclusive hotel items and outfits.

Guests can be random villagers, amiibo-invited characters, or even special NPCs. As guests stay, they may wander the island, visit shops like Able Sisters, and wear outfits you set up on hotel mannequins, making your island feel more lively and dynamic.

Slumber Islands

Luna’s Dream Suite expands with Slumber Islands, essentially a creative mode where players can choose island size, set time and season, scan in villagers, and freely decorate without the usual restrictions. Up to three slumber islands can be created per player, and friends can join to collaborate in real time—placing items, terraforming, and more. This feature requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Kapp'n & Dock Upgrades

The update expands Kapp’n’s role and the dock itself. Unlocking Kapp’n requires a 3-star island and completion of Project K.K. The dock now supports the Resort Hotel and new transport features, with hints that Kapp’n’s islands may receive tweaks or additional content.

Mannequin & Outfit Features

Players can set up mannequins in the hotel to recommend outfits for guests, who will then walk around the island dressed in those clothes. This helps create a cohesive seasonal or themed atmosphere.

Quality of Life Improvements

• Bulk Crafting: Craft multiple items at once, using materials directly from storage.

• Storage Expansion: The maximum storage increases from 5,000 to 9,000 items, with the added ability to store trees, bushes, and flowers.

• Lock Button: A new control option lets players lock their character in place when terraforming or decorating, making precision work much easier.

• Group Play: Up to 12 players can visit one island together, chat via in-game voice, and even use USB cameras for live reactions.

ACNH 3.0 Other New Content

• Expanded Amiibo Support: Many old and new amiibo can be used to invite characters and unlock crossover content.

• Megaphone: A returning item letting players call out to villagers (Switch 2 exclusive, uses the microphone).

• Resetti: Now appears physically to help reset parts of your island, rather than just being a menu option.

• Nintendo Switch Online Features: Access to online storage for Slumber Islands, playing classic games on retro consoles, and live camera chat all require an active subscription.

How To Prepare for the ACNH 3.0 Update?

To ensure a smooth and rewarding experience when the update arrives, here’s what you should focus on before launch day:

1. Save Up Bells

Many new items, especially collaboration and storage expansions, will cost a significant amount of ACNH bells. Millions may be required for things like the LEGO, Zelda, and Splatoon items, as well as expanding storage to 7,000 and then 9,000 slots. Start farming and saving bells now to avoid missing out.

2. Hoard Crafting Materials

The Hotel’s Furniture Box allows players to donate crafted items for hotel tickets. Stockpile as many crafting materials as possible so you can fulfill requests and craft new items right away, instead of having to gather resources after the update.

3. Unlock Kapp'n

Since the Resort Hotel and much of the new content are tied to Kapp’n’s dock, make sure you’ve unlocked him:

• Upgrade Resident Services.

• Achieve a 3-star island rating.

• Complete Project K.K. and watch K.K. Slider’s first concert.

It’s also recommended to find Brewster beforehand to prevent any delays.

4. Tidy Up the Dock

Clear away all items and designs from the dock and surrounding area to prevent any issues with the hotel’s construction or dock upgrades.

5. Expand Your Item Catalogue

Having a wide variety of furniture and DIY recipes will help you decorate hotel rooms and progress through the Resort Hotel’s features. Make it a goal to catalogue as many items as possible and learn new DIYs.

6. Stockpile Nook Miles

While not all new features require Nook Miles, Kapp’n’s tours and possibly some hotel-related upgrades may. It’s wise to have a reserve to avoid any roadblocks.

7. Prepare Amiibo

If you’re interested in the new crossover villagers, get the relevant amiibo ahead of time. While it’s still partly unclear which ones will work, having Zelda and Splatoon series amiibo will likely be the fastest way to invite the new characters and unlock their themed items.

Additionally, having Animal Crossing amiibo ready allows you to invite other villagers to the hotel.

8. Activate Nintendo Switch Online

Many 3.0 features, such as Slumber Islands, playing games on retro consoles, and live camera chat, require an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Subscribe in advance so you have access to everything on day one.

9. Push for a 5-Star Island (Optional)

Although a 3-star rating is the minimum for unlocking Kapp’n, it’s possible that achieving a 5-star island might offer further benefits, such as unlocking the hotel or accessing certain features more quickly. If you want to be entirely prepared, work on your island rating now.

10. Organize and Prepare Storage

With new items and furniture sets coming, make space in your storage and consider organizing your inventory so you can quickly access materials and items once the update is live.