Highlights
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons' success during the pandemic elevated the franchise to new heights, and many are looking forward to the series' future.
- The lack of new content for New Horizons has left fans curious about the future of the series.
- The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 could bring exciting possibilities for Animal Crossing, including a new game with improved features that takes advantage of the new technology.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a bigger success than Nintendo likely thought possible. While the franchise was always popular, the pandemic allowed New Horizons to elevate Animal Crossing to new heights. Because everyone was stuck indoors, gamers and non-gamers alike were in need of something to pass the time. For many, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the perfect solution, as it allowed them to spend hundreds of hours creating the perfect outdoors setting to explore while they were stuck inside in the real world. However, Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ time in the spotlight has come and gone, and now fans are curious about the future.
While Animal Crossing: New Horizons received some solid post-launch support, and went out with a bang thanks to the 2.0 update and Happy Home Paradise DLC, it has been a long time since it received some new content. Many are still holding out hope for a surprise Animal Crossing: New Horizons update, but at this point, it seems highly unlikely. With the Switch’s days being numbered, the Switch 2 is going to be Animal Crossing fans’ next opportunity for another entry.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Fan Shows How Villagers React to Receiving Nintendo Switch
An Animal Crossing: New Horizons player highlights how several different Villagers react to receiving the ACNH Nintendo Switch item.
Nintendo Switch 2 Can Provide a New and Improved Animal Crossing Game
To be clear, there is no guarantee that a Nintendo Switch 2 in particular is happening, though a number have leaks have suggested that a successor of some kind is in the works. Regardless of what form the next Nintendo console takes, it will surely get an Animal Crossing game at some point, whether that be at launch or a few years down the road. For that reason, even those that are not particularly hyped for the next Nintendo console and the other games the brand offers should keep an eye on whatever is happening with the Switch 2.
Before even considering the game itself, the announcement of the Switch 2 will be exciting for Animal Crossing. First, there is a chance that the next Animal Crossing game is revealed alongside the new Nintendo console as a potential system seller. Next, there is a chance for another Animal Crossing-themed console bundle, as the original proved to be a major hit. Finally, the Switch 2’s reveal will surely come with information on the console’s specs, and based on the rumors thus far, it may be a significant step up from its predecessor.
Once fans have official info on how much stronger the next Nintendo console is going to be, they can begin to think about what the next Animal Crossing could look like, even if it is not shown during the console’s inevitable reveal event. At the very least, the increased power of the next NIntendo console could work wonders for load times, allowing players to go to Mystery Islands and visit other gamers far faster. However, it could also grant players far more building space than they have ever had in the Animal Crossing series, which would surely be something that creative players appreciate.
Ideally, though, players will see a new Animal Crossing game revealed when the next Nintendo console is. Even if it is just a brief teaser with a logo, title, and release window, many would surely be happy just to have something new to look forward to. While the series' community remains active, sharing clever island builds or coming up with new Animal Crossing Villager types, the content drought has certainly been felt.
Both because of the possible technical improvements and because more Animal Crossing content on the original Switch is unlikely, Nintendo’s next piece of hardware is integral to the series’ future. With so little being done with the Animal Crossing brand now, aside from cute collaborations like the LEGO Animal Crossing set, any kind of news would be appreciated. Though fans should obviously manage their expectations since nothing is confirmed, it is all-but guaranteed that a new Animal Crossing will release for Nintendo’s next console eventually. Hopefully, fans get info about the next Animal Crossing game sooner rather than later, as it has a chance to be a major leap forward.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now on Nintendo Switch.
