New Horizons gets free DLC and Switch 2 update

January 15th will be a good day for Animal Crossing fans as Nintendo releases the Switch 2 Upgrade Pack for $7 and a ton of free content for all players.

I'm probably the most excited about the Switch 2 update since the current version. New Horizons doesn't seem to use much anti-aliasing. I think it looks pretty dated. The new version seems to have clarified everything, so it should fit better with other modern games. This update also brings 12-player multiplayer and GameChat support, as well as the Switch 2's camera and microphones.

Microphones unlock a new item called the Megaphone, which allows you to shout out the names of your villagers to find out where they are on the island. The Switch 2 version will also use mouse controls to make designing patterns and decorating rooms a little easier.

Arrival of free content

Whether you're an avid gamer or want to get back into the swing of island life, we're working on lots of new features. There will be a new hotel on the pier, where rooms can be configured to suit the needs of arriving guests. This seems like a small aspect of the game, but if you love decorating, this update will add a lot more gameplay for you. There's not a lot of information out there, but it looks like it will be similar to the previous Happy Home DLC.

Another added bonus is the ability to wipe your island and start over. After the update, you will find Resetti wandering around and you can use his services to clean up your island and change its design.

One of the most interesting updates is an online feature called Sleep Island. With this system you can create three new islands, so it's great if you want to create multiple islands with different themes. Other players can help online, and Nintendo says you can invite people from your main island to populate it.

Screenshot

Finally, the company is expanding its range of in-game items through collaborations with brands. This includes Lego furniture and Zelda-themed items that can be unlocked using Amiibos. The company is also adding retro gaming consoles, and if you have Nintendo Switch Online, you can use them to play true retro games like the original. Animal Crossing.

Overall, there's a lot to look forward to for people who are still playing, and it's nice to see the Switch 2 update coming out so late after the launch of Switch 2. When Pokémon Arceus Legends didn't get the Switch 2 update before the release of Legends ZA, I was worried that Nintendo had finished re-releasing their older games in 4K, but I'm glad to see that some games are still being worked on.