Today's Animal Crossing Direct was split into two halves: the first half showcased everything coming alongside Animal Crossing: New Horizons' free 2.0 update and the second half showcased the additional content that's going to be released as paid DLC. With its most recent titles, Nintendo hasn't been asking money for the updates to the content, but the Happy Home Paradise DLC seems like a lot of side content and also works as a pseudo-sequel to the 3DS game Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. With the paid DLC announcement, Nintendo also announced the price for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and said that a bundle would be available for New Horizons owners.
Although it's meant to be saving Animal Crossing: New Horizons fans some money, the announcement was a little bit confusing in regards to who gets what and how much everything will cost. Luckily, when explained simply, the bundle is easy to understand, even if the announcement during the Animal Crossing Direct gave some mixed messages.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC Price
There's plenty of free new content coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons when the 2.0 update goes live on November 5. Those looking to get even more out of the game, however, are able to purchase the Happy Home Paradise DLC that has the player get a job as a resort developer. This translates to gameplay by having the player design the interiors and exteriors of houses for visiting villagers and, as mentioned above, the DLC serves as something of a sequel to Happy Home Designer which had very similar gameplay. Despite their similarities, the DLC seems to be much more in-depth and offers plenty more content, as Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows players to decorate the exteriors of their houses. The Happy Home Paradise DLC costs $24.99 and will be available on November 5 with the 2.0 update.
Nintendo Switch Online Plus Expansion Pack Price
There's another way to play the Happy Home Paradise DLC, however, as it comes included with the upcoming Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Those planning on purchasing the subscription service, which includes select Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genisis games, will be getting the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC for no additional charge. The membership will be available for purchase starting on October 25, but Animal Crossing players won't have access to the DLC until November 5.
The pricing for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is important to note. Originally, the online service cost $19.99 per year for individuals and $34.99 for the family plan, but the additional content raises the price to $49.99 for individuals and $79.99 for the family plan. Obviously, when accounting for the fact that the Happy Home Paradise DLC costs $25, the dramatic increase in price makes a little bit of sense for Nintendo, but some fans aren't happy that it's going to cost so much to play older titles, even if there is newn Animal Crossing content included.
It seems like the more than doubled price of the plan only makes sense for those using the Family Plan with the maximum amount of people using it. Otherwise, the individual price is pretty steep and, depending on how many Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genisis games the subscriber is interested in, might not be all that worth it if they're simply looking to play the Animal Crossing DLC. It's also important to note that all of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack plans can only be subscribed to in yearly increments. Unlike the individual subscription plan, the Expansion Pack can't be accessed in single or three-month increments.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available for Nintendo Switch.
