By hook or by Nook, the wait is over! In a move that has delighted fans across the globe, Nintendo has surprise-dropped the massive Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update a full day ahead of its scheduled January 15, 2026, release. While UK players were bracing for a 1 a.m. download tomorrow, the update is live right now.
If your Switch hasn’t prompted you yet, you can manually trigger the download by hovering over the game icon, pressing the + Button, and selecting Software Update via the internet.
What’s New in the 3.0 Mega-Update?
This isn’t just a small patch; it’s a total overhaul of island life with features many have been dreaming of since the game launched in 2020. Here are the highlights:
- The Resort Hotel: Head to the end of your pier to find a brand-new facility run by Kapp’n and his family. You can decorate themed guest rooms, earn “Hotel Tickets,” and even suggest outfits for visitors to wear.
- Slumber Islands: When you go to sleep, Luna now offers access to a “Dream World.” You can create and fully terraform up to three separate Slumber Islands without affecting your main save—perfect for testing out those wild layout ideas!
- Massive Storage Increase: Your home storage cap has been bumped from 5,000 to a whopping 9,000 items. Plus, for the first time ever, you can now store trees, flowers, and shrubs.
- Resetti’s Reset Service: Finally, a way to clean up! Mr. Resetti is back to help you clear out flowers, furniture, or weeds in bulk. You can even choose to have him move the items directly into your storage.
- Zelda & Splatoon Collaborations: New villagers like Tulin (Zelda) and Cece (Splatoon) can now visit your campsite via amiibo. There are also plenty of LEGO-themed items and playable NES/Game Boy classics available for Nintendo Switch Online members.
The Switch 2 “Upgrade Pack”
Keep in mind that while the free 3.0 update is available now for everyone, the separate paid Switch 2 Upgrade Pack (offering 4K visuals and 12-player multiplayer) is still expected to unlock tomorrow, January 15th, alongside the new hardware.
It’s time to head back to the island! Whether you’re decorating a luxury suite for Kapp’n or letting Resetti handle your overgrown flower beds, there has never been a better time to be a Resident Representative.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update – Frequently Asked Questions
The surprise early arrival of the 3.0 Update on January 14, 2026, has brought a wave of new content. Here are the answers to the most common questions about today’s massive drop.
Update & Technical Details
Q: How do I download the 3.0 update early? A: If your console hasn’t started the download automatically, highlight the game icon on your home screen, press the + Button, select Software Update, and then Via the Internet.
Q: What is the download size for Version 3.0? A: The update is approximately 3GB to 4GB. Ensure you have enough space on your system memory or SD card before starting.
Q: Is this update the same as the “Switch 2 Upgrade Pack”? A: No. The 3.0 Update is free for everyone and contains all the new gameplay content (Hotel, Slumber Islands, etc.). The Switch 2 Upgrade Pack is a separate $4.99/£4.19 purchase that unlocks 4K visuals and 12-player multiplayer; that pack officially launches tomorrow, January 15.
The Resort Hotel & New Currency
Q: How do I unlock the Resort Hotel? A: You must have your Resident Services building upgraded and have Kapp’n unlocked (which requires a 3-star island rating). Once these conditions are met, the hotel will appear at the end of your pier.
Q: What are Hotel Tickets and how do I get them? A: Hotel Tickets are the new currency for the 3.0 update. You earn them by:
- Designing guest rooms for tourists based on specific themes.
- Completing DIY requests for Tom Nook to help promote the hotel.
- Dressing mannequins in the lobby to set the island’s “style.”
Q: What can I buy with Hotel Tickets? A: You can spend them at Grams’ Souvenir Shop in the hotel lobby for exclusive items, including the new LEGO set furniture and retro Nintendo consoles.
Slumber Islands & Building
Q: What is a Slumber Island? A: It is a “Dream World” version of an island that serves as a creative sandbox. You can have up to three separate Slumber Islands. They allow you to terraform, build bridges, and decorate freely without spending Bells or affecting your main island save.
Q: Can I store trees and flowers now? A: Yes! One of the biggest 3.0 features is the ability to place fully grown trees, bushes, and flowers directly into your home storage.
Q: Does bulk crafting work for everything? A: Yes! When at a DIY bench, you can now select a specific quantity (e.g., 10 Manila Clams into 10 Fish Bait) to craft all at once. Even better, the bench will now pull materials directly from your home storage!
Collaborations & Villagers
Q: How do I get the Zelda and Splatoon villagers? A: You must scan compatible amiibo (Zelda or Splatoon series) at the Nook Stop terminal. This will invite characters like Tulin (Zelda) or Cece (Splatoon) to your campsite, where you can then invite them to move in.
Q: Are the NES and Game Boy games actually playable? A: Yes, but they require a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Once you place an NES or Game Boy console in your house, you can interact with it to play classics like Dr. Mario, Ice Climber, and Clu Clu Land.