Despite Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘ massively successful release during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic several years ago, Nintendo has yet to confirm any official news about a new mainline Animal Crossing game. Speculations and rumors have continued to circulate for years now, particularly since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 console.
The 3.0 update to ACNH sparked both hope and worry about the idea of a new game, with some believing that this meant a new title was a long way off, and others thinking the update meant Nintendo was trying to hype up the series again before a new announcement. Meanwhile, rumors circulating online have given some insight into what features fans hope for, including expanded multiplayer, bigger cities, and a shopping mall.
The Next Animal Crossing May Not Debut In 2026
Update 3.0 Could Mean We Have To Wait A Little Longer
2025’s launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 had many anticipating a new entry in the series to go along with the console launch. Unfortunately, despite the last Animal Crossing performing exceptionally well, as New Horizons is the second best-selling game on the Switch, there was no hint of news regarding a new entry in the series.
Instead, there was the unexpected 3.0 update and Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which have added a lot of new content and quality-of-life features to the 2020 game.
While this update doesn’t necessarily mean that a new game isn’t in the works, it does suggest we aren’t getting one immediately. Most current theories and rumors suggest that we will likely see an announcement for a new game by the end of 2026, but not a new game just yet. Of course, this is just speculation at this point, and we will have to see how things evolve over the year.
Rumored New Animal Crossing Features & Gameplay
The Next Animal Crossing Might Be The Ultimate Version Worth Waiting For
While we are forced to wait a bit longer for official news on the Switch 2’s new Animal Crossing, leaks online have already claimed that the next installment in the Animal Crossing series will be an “ultimate” version, per NWeedle on X (formerly Twitter; via ComicBook.com). These new features include driveable vehicles, cities with skyscrapers, more collaborative multiplayer, and even more adventure missions, including puzzles and mini-games. Which, if true, would certainly make the new Animal Crossing worth waiting a bit longer for.
Alongside this list, other rumors suggest players will have an entire shopping center where they can operate a store themselves to sell clothing and furniture designs. NWeedle does not have a long history of successful leaks, but the claims made online do seem reasonable for a sequel to New Horizons. Nevertheless, rumors should always be taken with some skepticism. Furthermore, Animal Crossing: New Horizons lacks some features from earlier games that it would be nice to see return.
Some of the most requested things from fans are the return of features like multiplayer mini-games and activities, in-depth Villager interactions, a full post office, more building exterior customization, a larger furniture catalog, and the missing fruits like bananas, mangos, and lemons. Having the added quality-of-life features that the 3.0 update gave us, such as crafting using items from storage, will certainly mean those will need to carry over to the new Animal Crossing game as well.
- Released
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March 20, 2020
- ESRB
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Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Havok
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
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no
- Cross Save
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no
- Expansions
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise
