Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update may arrive at different regional times

Animal Crossing: New Horizons' large 3.0 update is due around January 15, but Nintendo has not confirmed exact release times; time-zone patterns and a possible New Zealand-based rollout produce different local schedules.

It's been nearly six years since Animal Crossing: New Horizons first launched, and the game is set for two major releases around January 15: a feature-rich 3.0 update and a Nintendo Switch 2 edition. Official release times have not been confirmed. Coverage of past updates and distributor timing suggests a likely pattern for when the update could appear in different regions. Release timing details: - No official release time has been announced by Nintendo for the 3.0 update. - Past updates have tended to become available at about 10 a.m. Japan Standard Time on release day, which would translate (if the pattern holds) to 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EST (Jan. 14), 10 p.m. BRT (Jan. 14), 1 a.m. GMT / 2 a.m. CET (Jan. 15), and 12 p.m. AEDT (Jan. 15). - Because the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has a physical release on January 15 and a digital upgrade pack is planned, some reporting notes it would be unusual for the Switch 2 version to be playable without the 3.0 features already present. - If Nintendo releases the update aligned with the New Zealand eShop rollout, alternative earlier local times reported would include 3 a.m. PST / 6 a.m. EST (Jan. 14), 8 a.m. BRT (Jan. 14), 11 a.m. GMT / 12 p.m. CET (Jan. 14), 8 p.m. JST (Jan. 14), and 10 p.m. AEDT (Jan. 14). - Observers note that time-zone differences mean some players could access the update on what is locally an earlier calendar day depending on the rollout method. Summary: If the historical 10 a.m. JST pattern applies, many players will see the update at the JST-based times listed above; if Nintendo aligns the rollout with the Switch 2 upgrade pack release in New Zealand, earlier local times would apply. Official timing from Nintendo remains unconfirmed. Undetermined at this time.