Why Version 3.0 is the perfect excuse to return to island life on Nintendo Switch 2
By the time this article goes live, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0 update will have already been available for a few weeks, alongside the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of the game. Even so, this update is substantial enough that it’s worth breaking down exactly what players can expect when they return to island life.
Likely released early to align global availability with New Zealand, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons update is now live and available to download. Players gain access to several notable additions, including:
- A Resort Hotel
- Island Specialty Requests
- Slumber Island
- Resetti’s Reset Service
- New collaborations featuring LEGO elements and The Legend of Zelda amiibo compatibility
If you haven’t seen the update appear automatically, you may need to apply it manually. To do so, press the “+” button on the game’s icon from the Home Menu and select Software Update. The update officially rolled out on January 15, 2026.
Personally, I’m already planning to dedicate an entire room of my in-game house to LEGO décor, and I’ve been refining the exterior of my home in preparation for playing on Nintendo Switch 2. It’s a small example of how this update encourages players to reimagine their islands once again.
General Updates
According to the latest patch notes, the following quality-of-life improvements and adjustments are now live in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
- Players can now craft up to 10 items at once, provided they have enough materials
- Items stored in home storage can now be used directly as DIY crafting materials
- Items previously obtainable by linking Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp can now be ordered at any time through Nook Shopping
- Super Mario Bros. items are now orderable from Nook Shopping without linking a Nintendo account
- Holding the L button allows players to move while facing the same direction when outdoors
- Players can revert their island flag to the original design from when the island was created
- Isabelle now recommends melodies when changing the island tune at Resident Services, including the original island theme
- Up to 50 Customization Kits can now be purchased at once from Nook’s Cranny
- Additional items—including Snowflakes—can now be sold at the drop-off box at Nook’s Cranny
- Giving Pascal a scallop now always rewards players with a Pearl
- If an island has 30 or more weeds, players can hire Leif to remove them at a reduced cost
- The Island Life 101 app has been updated with new tips
- New Nook Miles tasks have been added alongside the new features
- The order of certain collaboration items has been adjusted in catalogs for photo studios and hotel decorating
- General adjustments and bug fixes have been implemented to improve overall gameplay stability
Nintendo Switch 2-Specific updates
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game also received a small but notable fix:
- An issue causing the Nook Shopping startup sound on the in-game smartphone to play incorrectly has been resolved
NookLink App Updates
Updates were also made to NookLink, available through the Nintendo Switch Online app for players with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership:
- New articles have been added to the Island Newspaper
- Version 3.0.0 items are now available in The Catalog
About the Author
Scott (Scotty) Greenhalgh is the founder and owner of Input Lag, an independent Nintendo-focused publication. Scotty brings a player-first perspective informed by years of hands-on experience with Nintendo games to his reviews, rankings, and editorial coverage. His writing focuses on how games feel to play, their long-term value, and the impact Nintendo’s creative and business decisions have on players.
Outside of Input Lag, he also creates Pokémon-focused content online under the name Gr3atScotty.
