Animal Crossing's 3.0 update arrives a bit early

Nintendo's free Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update became available to download ahead of its January 15th schedule and adds features such as increased storage, bulk crafting, an automated island clean-up service, and a new hotel; it is separate from the paid Switch 2 upgrade that is still expected on January 15th.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has received its free 3.0 update a little earlier than planned. Nintendo had set the release for January 15th, but the update is now available to download ahead of that date. This 3.0 release applies to all versions of the game and is distinct from a paid Switch 2 upgrade that is still expected on January 15th. The update bundles several gameplay and quality-of-life changes that players have requested since New Horizons launched in 2020. Key details: - The 3.0 update is free and available across all versions of New Horizons. - New features include increased storage, the ability to craft multiple items at once, and an automated service for cleaning parts of an island. - A new hotel has been added to player islands. - Switch Online subscribers get added features, including the ability to play certain NES games. - The paid Switch 2 upgrade is separate and is reported to add features such as 4K visuals, 12-player online sessions, and mouse controls; that upgrade is still expected to launch on January 15th. Summary: The free 3.0 update introduces a mix of quality-of-life improvements and new in-game content that has drawn renewed player interest, though its long-term effect on New Horizons' player numbers is not yet clear. The paid Switch 2 upgrade is still expected on January 15th, and the two releases are being delivered separately.