Animal Crossing 3.0 Drops Early — Slumber Islands Live

• Key Takeaways:
• Nintendo released Animal Crossing: New Horizons update 3.0 early on Jan. 14, 2026; Game Informer and Eurogamer verified the early rollout.
• The free 3.0 update adds Kapp'n's hotel, Slumber Islands, and new crossover furniture across all Switch consoles.
• The paid Switch 2 upgrade ($4.99 in the US) is not live yet and is scheduled to launch on Jan. 15, bringing performance and feature improvements.

What the 3.0 update brings

Version 3.0 introduces the bulk of the new playable content Nintendo promised for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Players will find a new hotel on Kapp'n's pier and the addition of the Slumber Islands, a fresh area with new activities and items.

Several crossover furniture lines and other in-game amenities are included with this free update, expanding customization and island activities without any extra charge.

Major additions

Kapp'n's pier now hosts a hotel that ties into new island amenities and visitor systems. The Slumber Islands offer new environments to explore and quests to complete.

Community-shared crossover furniture and other cosmetic items are part of the update, giving players fresh options for decorating and events.

How to get the update now

The 3.0 update began downloading automatically for many players on Jan. 14. If it doesn’t start, highlight Animal Crossing: New Horizons on your Switch home screen, press the + button, choose "Software Update," then select "Via the Internet."

Game Informer confirmed the early release from firsthand checks, and Eurogamer reported similar early availability in other regions.

Switch 2 upgrade: paid, arriving tomorrow

The Switch 2 upgrade is a separate, paid add-on (listed at $4.99 in the US) that was announced to arrive alongside 3.0 but remains scheduled for Jan. 15. Nintendo has not launched the Switch 2 eShop purchase yet.

That upgrade focuses on performance improvements and Switch 2-specific features — higher player counts online, integration of GameChat, mouse controls, and other platform-level enhancements rather than new in-game content.

Why this matters

Releasing 3.0 a day early gives every Switch player immediate access to the new content at no cost, renewing interest in a six-year-old title. The paid Switch 2 upgrade remains optional for players who want the technical and social benefits of Nintendo’s next-handheld platform.

Expect more coverage and hands-on impressions as players explore Slumber Islands and the new hotel features over the coming days.