TheAnimal Crossingfranchise has become one of the biggest in Nintendo’s impressive catalog of IPs. Ever since the franchise’s expansion to America in 2002 with the eponymous GameCube entry, it feels likeAnimal Crossingjust gets bigger and bigger with each subsequent game. Its most recent entry, 2020’sAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, became a huge cultural phenomenon and proved the franchise’s success by becoming one of the highest-selling games of all time.
With the recent announcement ofNintendo’s next console, the Nintendo Switch 2,Animal Crossingfans will be waiting with bated breath to see where the franchise goes on this new platform. After all, it has been almost five years sinceNew Horizonslaunched, which is a long enough gap for a new game to be on the way. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Nintendo go in an entirely different direction with the franchise thanks largely to one confirmed Switch 2 feature.
Animal Crossing Will Have A Happy Home On The Switch 2
New Horizons May Continue To Excel On The Switch 2
One of the most noteworthy features of the Switch 2 is that it will be backward compatible with mostpreviously released games on the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo had announced this prior to the Switch’s proper unveiling, but the fact was reiterated near the end of the two-minute reveal trailer. While Nintendo clarified that some titles would not be backward compatible, this will most likely only affect titles that use accessories like the Nintendo Labo which would not be compatible with the new Joy-Con controllers.
With backward compatibility in play,Animal Crossingcould exist on the Switch 2 withthe continued presence ofNew Horizons. Instead of pushing a brand-new game right off the bat, Nintendo could allowNew Horizonsto continue to live on the Switch 2 in its current form. After all, with how popular the game remains as one of the highest-selling titles of all time, Nintendo may not want to abandon that playerbase right away and may want to wait until the Switch 2 moves some units to prepare the new game.
Nintendo Could Add A New Animal Crossing Expansion
IfAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis the onlyAnimal Crossingcontent on the Switch 2 for the time being, Nintendo could capitalize on that by dropping a brand-new expansion for the game. It’s been a point of contention that, despite its incredible popularity, Nintendo stopped post-launch support forNew Horizonsafter releasingtheHappy Home ParadiseDLC in 2021. If a new game is not in the cards, Nintendo could appease the hardcore fans with some new content for the existing game.
After all, this wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Nintendo, as the publisher previously announcedtheMario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Passin 2022 and released it over the course of the next year. By the time every course was released for the game,Mario Kart 8 Deluxewas a six-year-old re-release of a nine-year-old game, yet Nintendo still moved forward with supporting the highest-selling title on the Switch. Even asAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsturns five years old this year, Nintendo could breathe new life into it with some new content.
IfAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis the onlyAnimal Crossingcontent on the Switch 2 for the time being, Nintendo could capitalize on that by dropping a brand-new expansion for the game.
A New Animal Crossing Game Will Come Eventually
Of course, this isn’t to say that there won’t be a newAnimal Crossinggame on the Switch 2 as early as its launch. Sure, Nintendo may not want to abandon the playerbase of one of its highest-selling Switch games, but that hasn’t stopped the publisher from showcasingthe nextMario Karttitlein the reveal of the Switch 2. If Nintendo is going to prepare a follow-up to the highest-selling Switch game for the launch of the Switch 2, nothing is stopping the publisher from doing the same with its second-highest-selling Switch game.
Even so, Nintendo has been tight-lipped about upcoming first-party titles coming to the Switch 2, thus some franchises may not get new releases as soon as the console’s launch. Still, with backward compatibility in tow, Switch 2 first-adopters will have plenty to play on the console right from the jump, as willAnimal Crossingfans. Even if the next entry is not ready to go,New Horizonswill still be kicking over the system’s life, and here’s hoping Nintendo capitalizes on that with some fresh new content.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
