After swearing that updates for Animal Crossing: New Horizons were complete a few years ago, Nintendo dropped its massive 3.0 update for the game, adding tons of new collaboration items, quality-of-life changes, and a whole new customizable resort hotel. There are many things to do to get you back to your island.
And of course, the base version of the game has finally arrived on Switch 2. The 3.0 update has been released for both Switch consoles, but New Horizons on Switch 2 has received special attention, adding several improvements and features that take advantage of the console's unique aspects.
higher resolution
Most obviously, the Switch 2 version of New Horizons now supports up to 4K resolution, making the game sharper than ever. It also boosts to 1080p on the handheld, while the original Switch was limited to 720p.
Unlike most other games on the original Switch that received a Switch 2 version, the frame rate here remains exactly the same, locked at 30fps. This is likely a choice to maintain consistent performance as more people roam the island in 4K resolution. But there's always a chance that we'll get a 60fps update in a few years.
10 Best Items to Buy at Resort Hotel Gift Shops in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Grams is very interested in fun items!
A loudspeaker to call villagers
Have you ever spent hours wandering around an island trying to find one villager to talk to, but never being able to find one? Of course it is. But we're all in luck because now there's a Megaphone available for purchase in New Horizons.
After years of keeping everything to himself, Tom Nook finally decided it would be a good idea to have his own megaphone, available for purchase at Nook's Cranny. To use this feature, simply shout out the name of the villager you are looking for, and a speech bubble will pop up towards that villager. The megaphone works using a Switch 2 microphone, but can be heard with amazing clarity even from a distance.
Up to 12 friends on one island
Half the fun of New Horizons is getting people to admire your island after you've put so much effort into decorating it. The villagers may be lovely, but they don't always have an eye for design. That's why you have to bring in real people who can really take it all in. And on the original Switch, an impressive eight people can explore the island simultaneously.
The Switch 2 version increases that number to 12 players. To be honest, it seems like too much for a small island to handle. Instead of relying on the highly unintuitive Switch app as in the original Switch version, you can all join GameChat together and even chat while playing.
your face in the game
Sure, having 12 people on an island is crazy and makes things a bit complicated, but why not add your own face and the faces of all your friends into the mix to add to the chaos that's happening on screen?
During a GameChat party with other friends on your island, you can choose to display your face over your character using a USB camera connected to your Switch 2. This makes it easier to identify your friends and allows you to see their reactions to everything you're doing in real time. It also looks fun, which is a reward in itself.
Mouse controls for design and decoration
Animal Crossing New Horizons is really a game about fashion. You create beautiful clothes, gorgeous rooms, and captivating islands. But sometimes doing all this with just a controller can be a daunting process. Well, the Switch 2 has mouse controls, and now Animal Crossing has them too!
Mouse controls are used exactly as you would expect, but they fit naturally. You can use it to create custom designs and bulletin board posts for even more granular control. The deeper part is home decoration. You can pick up furniture and move it all at once. A home designer's dream.
Are you checking in? Try these nine design tips for your resort hotel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Both your hotel ticket quantity and Leilani will thank you for this!
