The September Nintendo Direct included a slew of new announcements about upcoming Switch games and more. In a stream that announced new titles such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land and showed off updated gameplay for games such as Bayonetta 3 and Splatoon 3, Nintendo announced an upcoming Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct for October. Several new updates for the game were revealed during the stream, including the return of a familiar face.
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons-focused stream announced several free updates coming to the game in the near future, including several new interior design tools, the addition of Brewster’s cafe to the museum, and several others.
The stream also revealed the first paid DLC for the popular life simulation game, an interior design-focused expansion called Happy Home Paradise, which will cost $24.99. Among the slew of announcements was the addition of another franchise staple, the seafaring Kapp’n, to the game alongside Brewster.
Kapp’n was announced to be included in the Switch title, along with the new Kapp’n’s Boat Tours feature, which allows players to visit mysterious new islands for 1000 Nook Miles. To differentiate itself from the pre-existing Mystery Tours available at the airport, players will be able to find islands with new types of plant life, different seasons, and more unique features. Along with Brewster’s cafe and a slew of new furniture and tools, Kapp’n’s Boat Tours will be a free addition to the game.
Several new mechanics and features have also been announced for the base game. New furniture and hairstyles are being added to the game, which can be obtained via the Nook Miles shop as well as Harv’s Island updates.
The game’s decoration system has been updated, allowing players to add hanging furniture such as lamps and shelves, and players can now move through tight spaces. The free content will be released on the same day as the paid DLC on November 5, with pre-orders for the paid version opening on October 29th. The DLC will also be available as part of a membership to the Nintendo Switch Online Plus Expansion Pack.
Nintendo has previously stated that it intends to continue supporting Animal Crossing: New Horizons in the future, and the title has received frequent updates since its March 2020 release. The massively popular Switch title has received updates that include ocean diving mechanics, tons of new furniture, and the return of fan favorites like Redd. The title’s success speaks for itself, as it is one of the best-selling games on the Switch, and the latest update looks to extend that success well into the future.
