Surprise! Nintendo has rolled out the first update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons in nearly three years. While it may not be a feature-packed update, this new patch focuses on enhancing the game’s multiplayer functionality between the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. According to the patch notes, the May 27 update “improved compatibility for multiplayer sessions” across both systems.
Although official details are limited, the change likely ensures a smoother experience when players on different console versions join each other's islands. This means that Switch 2 owners will be able to visit friends on older Switch models — and vice versa — without running into technical issues.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be playable on the Switch 2, though it won’t receive a dedicated Switch 2 Edition like some of Nintendo’s other flagship titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Still, the game should function properly on the new hardware launching next week — something that can't be said for certain other titles.
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, players are invited to escape to a deserted island and craft their own slice of paradise. Whether you're designing your dream home, building a bustling community, or simply enjoying the peaceful rhythm of island life, the game offers a relaxing and deeply engaging experience. It remains one of our favorite titles and continues to hold a spot on our list of the Top 25 Best Nintendo Switch Games in 2025. In our original review, we praised its charm and innovation, awarding it a solid 9 out of 10 and calling it “an expanded, polished, next-generation reboot of a classic Nintendo game that's full of surprises.”
