Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues to surprise its dedicated community six years after its launch. Although support for the beloved island sim appeared to be winding down, Nintendo recently shocked fans by announcing both a major, free content update (version 3.0) and a separate, performance-enhanced Switch 2 upgrade. While both were initially scheduled to drop tomorrow, January 15, the free content patch has launched early.
We can confirm that the substantial 3.0 update is live now, and reports indicate this early release isn’t restricted to specific territories, meaning players worldwide can jump in immediately. Accessing the new features is straightforward: the update should begin downloading automatically when you wake your Switch. If it doesn’t initiate right away, simply navigate to the game icon, press the Plus button, select “Software Update,” and choose “Via the Internet.”
This free 3.0 patch delivers the bulk of the promised fresh content, including the highly anticipated hotel on Kapp’n’s pier, the addition of the new Slumber Islands, and various crossover furniture sets. It’s important to note, however, that the separate $4.99 Switch 2 Upgrade—which offers performance enhancements, expanded online multiplayer capacity, and integration of new console features like GameChat—is still slated for its launch tomorrow. Regardless, the most content-rich portion of the announcement is available today, inviting players back to their deserted islands sooner than expected.