Fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons woke up to a delightful surprise on January 14, 2026, as Nintendo released the highly anticipated version 3.0.0 update a day earlier than expected. According to GameSpot and other sources, this free update marks one of the most significant content expansions since the game's original launch, promising players a fresh wave of creativity, collaboration, and convenience both on the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
The centerpiece of the update is the introduction of the Resort Hotel, a brand-new facility perched at the end of the island's pier and managed by none other than Kapp'n and his family. As reported by GameSpot, players are now enlisted to help decorate a variety of guest rooms in the hotel, with each successful design earning them Hotel Tickets—a new in-game currency. These tickets aren't just for show; they unlock exclusive items at the hotel's souvenir shop, including coveted retro Nintendo consoles. And for those with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, these consoles aren't just decorative: they double as playable mini-games, letting players revisit classics like Dr. Mario and Ice Climber right from their virtual island home.
But that's not where the update's hospitality ends. The Resort Hotel also opens new fashion opportunities, allowing players to style outfits for both hotel guests and mannequins. The creative freedom extends to promoting the hotel itself—Tom Nook, ever the entrepreneur, now relies on players to craft special DIY items for the hotel in exchange for more Hotel Tickets. According to the official patch notes published by Checklists, these DIY requests are now conveniently tracked in an updated page within the DIY Recipes app, streamlining the process for players eager to maximize their earnings and unlockables.
Another standout feature is the debut of Slumber Islands. As detailed by GameSpot, when players put their villagers to sleep, they can now enter a new dream world—Luna's Dream World—where they can design up to three fully customizable islands. Unlike the main game, Slumber Islands break free from real-world time and weather constraints, giving players unprecedented control over terrain, river width, and even the placement of bridges and inclines. The collaborative element is a game-changer: friends can join in to co-create these dreamscapes, though a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required for online play. For returning or new players, this presents a fresh playground to experiment with design ideas without impacting their main island.
Home organization also receives a substantial upgrade. The storage cap, previously set at 5,000 items, has now ballooned to a whopping 9,000, accommodating not just furniture and clothing but also trees, shrubs, and flowers. As Checklists notes, this expansion comes in two additional upgrades, though players should be prepared to shell out significant Bells for each tier. The ability to use items stored in home storage as DIY materials is another welcome quality-of-life improvement, reducing the back-and-forth between storage and workbench.
For those who dread tidying up after a big creative spree, Resetti's Reset Service is a breath of fresh air. This new feature, highlighted in both GameSpot and Checklists, allows bulk cleanup of flowers, furniture, and custom designs from any area of the island—or even the entire island at once. Players can ask Resetti to simply remove items or place them in storage, making large-scale landscaping and redesign projects much less daunting.
The update also introduces a slew of collaborative and themed items. Players can now purchase Lego-branded furniture and décor through the Nook Shopping app, adding a playful, colorful twist to their homes. These Lego items come in a variety of colors, from sofas and beds to wallpaper and t-shirts, offering something to match every taste. Additionally, the patch notes confirm that classic Nintendo items and Super Mario Bros. themed goods are available for order without the need to link to a Nintendo Account.
Longtime fans of Nintendo's franchises will appreciate the amiibo support baked into this update. By tapping amiibo cards from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Splatoon, players can invite new characters—Mineru, Tulin, Cece, and Viché—to their island, unlocking unique items and interactions. This cross-franchise collaboration continues Nintendo's tradition of weaving its most beloved worlds into the Animal Crossing universe.
On the gameplay front, several tweaks and enhancements aim to streamline the player experience. Players can now craft up to 10 items at once if they have enough materials, significantly reducing crafting tedium. Items obtained via Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp are now always orderable from Nook Shopping, and players can purchase up to 50 Customization Kits at once from Nook's Cranny. For those who like to keep their islands pristine, Leif's weed removal service is now more efficient and affordable, with the fee reduced and the option available whenever there are 30 or more weeds present. Even the drop-off box at Nook's Cranny accepts more items, including Snowflakes.
Isabelle and Resident Services haven't been left behind, either. When changing the island tune, Isabelle now offers recommended melodies, including the original, and players can revert their island flag to its initial design. The Island Life 101 app has been updated with new tips, and additional Nook Miles tasks have been introduced to encourage exploration of the new features.
For those eager to keep up with the latest news, the NookLink smartphone app now features new articles in the Island Newspaper and supports cataloging all the new items added in version 3.0.0. One minor but notable fix for Nintendo Switch 2 users: the update corrects an issue where the startup sound for Nook Shopping on the smartphone would not play correctly—a small but appreciated touch for perfectionists.
All these changes and more are available now for both current Nintendo Switch players and those planning to upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2, which launches with its own special Animal Crossing: New Horizons Edition on January 15, 2026. As the community dives into the new features, it's clear that Nintendo has set the stage for another wave of creativity and camaraderie on the islands. With so many ways to customize, collaborate, and collect, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is poised to keep its devoted fanbase entertained for many months to come.
