Fortnite’s first major update of 2026 has landed, and it’s a wild ride straight into the heart of pop culture satire. On January 9, Epic Games unleashed the highly anticipated 39.20 update for Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1, and fans were treated to a crossover event that’s as chaotic as it is nostalgic: the South Park collaboration. The update, which followed a scheduled downtime of roughly two hours beginning at 4 AM ET, is now live across all major platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices, according to Epic Games’ official announcements on X (formerly Twitter) and their server status page.
So, what’s new on the island? For starters, the South Park collab is front and center, bringing beloved characters Eric Cartman, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, and Butters Stotch into the Fortnite universe. But these aren’t your standard skins—Epic has cleverly reimagined the South Park crew in mech suits, ensuring their famously disproportionate designs fit seamlessly into Fortnite’s aesthetic and hitbox requirements. The Gonna Have Myself A Time Bundle, available through the Item Shop, packages these characters together with a host of themed cosmetics, making it a must-have for fans of the animated series.
But wait, there’s more. The crossover event isn’t just about cosmetics. Players can dive into the free Born in Chaos Mini Pass, which offers 13 South Park-themed rewards—including the Imaginationland Airship Glider, Cheesy Poofs Rocketship Emote, and Level Up Tokens—without spending a single V-Buck. Progressing through the Mini Pass requires players to complete South Park quests and earn a new currency called Cred. According to patch notes detailed by Beebom and corroborated by Express, this pass is designed to keep players engaged with a steady stream of unlockable goodies right up until the end of the event on February 5, 2026.
The island itself has also undergone a transformation. The Cartmanland POI (Point of Interest) now sits in the northwest corner of the Chapter 7 map, replacing Wonkeeland. This fully functional amusement park, inspired by an infamous episode of South Park where Cartman buys his own theme park, features rides and attractions that capture the irreverent spirit of the show. Notably, the winter snow that blanketed the island for Winterfest 2025 has melted away, except for a frosty patch surrounding Cartmanland—a subtle nod to the end of the seasonal festivities.
In a playful twist, Epic Games has re-skinned the iconic Battle Bus to match the South Park theme. The new bus design draws inspiration from a memorable moment in the show where Butters transforms his school bus into a makeshift Battle Bus. Players can expect to see this unique vehicle soaring across the map until the collaboration wraps up in early February.
Gameplay-wise, the update introduces several new items and mechanics that are sure to shake up the meta. Chief among them is the Stick of Truth Mythic, a powerful single-use item based on the acclaimed South Park RPG. When activated, it allows the user to manipulate the storm, causing it to close around them for the final circle—a game-changing advantage for those lucky enough to wield it. The Stick of Truth spawns from a new Rift Anomaly, and only one player per match can claim its power, making it a hotly contested prize.
Another attention-grabbing addition is Kenny’s Respawn Token, a Mythic item that automatically revives the player upon elimination—no activation required. This token is available exclusively in Unranked Battle Royale lobbies and replaces the now-vaulted Self-Revive kit. As reported by Beebom, this item is essentially a "get out of jail free card," but its single-use nature ensures it won’t be abused.
Healing in Fortnite just got a lot more dynamic thanks to the introduction of Cheesy Poofs, a consumable that rapidly restores health and can be eaten while sprinting. This versatile snack can be crucial during high-speed rotations or heated firefights, and it’s available only in Unranked mode. Additionally, the new Stealth Splash item offers a clever twist on support play—when thrown, it heals all players in its area of effect and grants temporary invisibility via a Cloak effect. This opens up fresh tactical possibilities for squads looking to reposition or escape sticky situations.
Weapon enthusiasts will appreciate the arrival of the Flex SMG, which boasts two distinct firing modes: a slower, more powerful shot when aiming down sights, and a rapid-fire spray when hipfiring. This dual-mode design rewards both precision and aggression, depending on the player’s style and situation.
Perhaps the most surprising addition is the Quints mode, a limited-time Battle Royale format that allows squads of up to five players. First teased in South Park promotional images, Quints mode is available until February 5, 2026, and could become a staple if it proves popular, much like the Trios mode before it. This shakeup to squad dynamics is expected to add a new layer of strategy and social fun to the game.
For those grinding through the Battle Pass, three Bonus Pages have been unlocked, offering Super Styles for skins like Kingston and the Dark Voyager (Reality Redacted), as well as remixed OG Season 7 skins. Blitz Royale mode also received an update: the Asteria Awakened map makes a triumphant return, while the Stranger Things map has been removed from rotation. Golden Llamas in Blitz now contain Shockwave Hammers, adding another wrinkle to the fast-paced action.
Of course, with every new update, some items must be retired. The 39.20 patch vaulted several fan-favorite items, including the Self-Revive Device, Holiday Presents!, Blizzard Grenade, Icy Feet, Shield Keg, and Sneaky Snowman. While some players may mourn their loss, the influx of new content more than makes up for it.
Weekly quests for Weeks 6 and 7 are live, offering fresh challenges such as damaging an enemy boss or scouting shooting locations for Kingston. Completing these tasks accelerates progress through the Pacific Break Battle Pass, keeping the grind lively as the season continues.
Finally, a few technical tweaks and bug fixes have been rolled out, addressing issues like the Magnetic Steps Glider texture error, map movement glitches, and missing Vending Machines, as detailed in the official patch notes.
With its blend of irreverent humor, inventive gameplay mechanics, and a nod to one of television’s most iconic animated series, Fortnite’s 39.20 update is shaping up to be one of the most memorable collaborations in recent memory. Whether you’re dropping into Cartmanland for a wild ride or strategizing with your Quint, there’s no shortage of chaos—and that’s just the way South Park fans like it.
