Nintendo recently shared news that likely disappoints fans hoping for a sequel to Animal Crossing: New Horizons soon. With the release of the Switch 2 earlier this year, many have been wondering when a new Animal Crossing game might be announced. While Nintendo hasn’t confirmed a new game is in development, the huge success of New Horizons makes a follow-up on the Switch 2 very likely – it just seems that release is further off than some expected.
Nintendo has announced an update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons coming in January 2026. The update will enhance the game’s graphics on the new Switch 2 console and add features like in-game voice chat. It will also be released for the original Switch, giving players a good reason to return to the game.
This Update Tells Us A Lot About Animal Crossing’s Future
This update likely means a new Animal Crossing game isn’t coming out very soon. Nintendo probably wouldn’t release a major upgrade for New Horizons if a sequel was about to launch. It seems this update is designed to keep players engaged with New Horizons until the next Animal Crossing game is ready.
It’s unlikely we’ll see a new Animal Crossing game on the Switch 2 in 2026, meaning 2027 is the earliest possible release date. Although that seems like a long wait, it’s consistent with the series’ history. The previous gap between main Animal Crossing games was eight years – Animal Crossing: New Leaf came out in 2012.
Although a new Animal Crossing game might not be released until 2027 or later, we could still hear about it next year. Nintendo revealed the previous game, New Horizons, in 2018 and initially planned to release it in 2019, though it eventually came out in 2020. This shows they often announce new Animal Crossing games more than a year before they launch. So, there’s a chance we might see a first look at the next game in 2026, even if its release isn’t planned until 2027 or 2028.
Rest Assured, A New Animal Crossing Game Will Release
It’s highly likely we’ll see a new Animal Crossing game on the next Nintendo Switch. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been incredibly successful, selling 48 million copies since 2020. This makes it the second best-selling Switch game of all time, just behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. To put that in perspective, New Horizons has outsold other massive hits like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and even the combined sales of Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet.
Animal Crossing is a huge franchise for Nintendo, especially considering how many popular games they have. While fans are eager for the next installment after New Horizons, the series is far from over. Given the success of the last game, the next Animal Crossing on the Switch 2 has the potential to be even more popular than before.
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2025-10-31 00:40