Almost six years after its release, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is receiving two big updates: the 3.0 update, and a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade that also comes with additional content exclusive to the newer console. The two-fold addition is slated for release on Jan. 15.
The two new updates come with several quality-of-life improvements, like mouse controls for Switch 2 users and batch crafting, a slew of new items, including crossovers with other IPs like Legend of Zelda, Slumber Islands, which allow players to decorate new islands collaboratively, and much more. Arguably the biggest part of the 3.0 update is the new hotel that sits on the pier. Run by Kapp’n’s family, players will now be tasked with designing rooms à la Happy Home Paradise and attracting tourists to the island.
Here’s when the New Horizons 3.0 and Nintendo Switch 2 updates will release in your time zone.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 and Nintendo Switch 2 updates release time in your time zone
There hasn’t been an official announcement from Nintendo as to when players can expect the launch of the dual updates. However, in the past, updates for New Horizons — save for the 2.0 update, which unexpectedly dropped a day early with no explanation — have always been available at 10 a.m. JST on the day of their release. If this pattern continues, the updates will be available at approximately the following times:
- 5 p.m. PST on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for the west coast of North America
- 8 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for the east coast of North America
- 10 p.m. BRT on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for Brazil
- 1 a.m. GMT on Thursday, Jan. 15 for the U.K.
- 2 a.m. CET on Thursday, Jan. 15 for western Europe
- 10 a.m. JST on Thursday, Jan. 15 for Japan
- 12 p.m. AEDT on Thursday, Jan. 15 for Australia
The site Animal Crossing World posits one interesting wrinkle in this pattern, however, which is the fact that there is a new physical release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releasing that day, which will presumably include a copy with the NS2 update pre-installed, as well as a digital upgrade pack on the Nintendo eShop.
If said upgrade pack is released on the eShop in some regions before the 3.0 update is available, it could result in a strange situation where players can access the NS2 update, but without 3.0 features. If Nintendo wishes to eliminate this issue, it’s possible the updates could arrive at the same time the pack releases on the eShop in New Zealand. If this is the case, the updates will be available at approximately the following times:
- 3 a.m. PST on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for the west coast of North America
- 6 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for the east coast of North America
- 8 a.m. BRT on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for Brazil
- 11 a.m. GMT on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for the U.K.
- 12 p.m. CET on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for western Europe
- 8 p.m. JST on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for Japan
- 10 p.m. AEDT on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for Australia
It’s important to note that this is an approximation, and not a confirmed time the updates will go live. It’s entirely possible that the updates will become available before or after this, but we’ll update this post with official information once we are able.
