'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' is getting a Switch 2 upgrade along with a free update for everyone

It’s clip to resume your land getaway — and perchance incur much virtual debt. (We spot you, Tom Nook.)

Nintendo announced Thursday that its cozy societal sim “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is getting a Switch 2 upgrade. “Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition,” which volition connection improved visuals, rodent controls, an in-game megaphone that uses the console’s built-in microphone and multiplayer enhancements, volition beryllium released Jan. 15.

In summation to allowing players to acquisition the crippled successful 4K erstwhile playing connected their TV, the upgraded variation of “New Horizons” volition alteration them to utilize the rodent controls connected the Joy-Con 2 controller erstwhile redecorating their homes, creating customized designs and penning messages connected the bulletin board.

The megaphone, which volition beryllium disposable astatine Nook’s Cranny, tin beryllium utilized to find chap villagers by calling retired their names. “New Horizons” players besides volition beryllium capable to play online with up to 12 different Switch 2 variation players and usage a webcam.

A escaped update for each “Animal Crossings: New Horizons” players, careless of console, volition besides beryllium disposable Jan. 15. This volition see entree to a caller edifice opening connected the pier, which volition let players to decorate impermanent rooms and acquisition caller items astatine a souvenir shop. The update volition besides spot the “Animal Crossing” world’s acquainted grumpy mole, Resetti, offering a “reset service” to cleanable up a player’s island.

Other offerings see the enactment for players to upgrade their location retention to clasp up to 9,000 items — including trees, shrubs and flowers — and the quality for Nintendo Switch Online members to plan and prevention up to 3 islands that they tin collaborate connected with friends online. New Nintendo-themed goods, including playable classical Nintendo console games, and Lego items besides volition beryllium disposable wrong the crippled done the update.

Released successful 2020 for the Nintendo Switch console, “Animal Crossing: New Horizon” became a balm during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering players a mode to link and beryllium societal during quarantine and uncertain times. The 5th main installment of the “Animal Crossing” franchise would spell connected to go 1 of the best-selling Switch games ever.