Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update & Happy Home Paradise DLC
Nintendo has unveiled a landmark update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, delivering a wave of new and returning features that fundamentally enhances the island experience. In a sweeping announcement, the company revealed the free Version 2.0 update, the game's final major content addition, alongside the first-ever paid downloadable content, a massive expansion titled Happy Home Paradise.
Together, they represent the single largest infusion of content since the game's launch, promising to bring veteran players back and give new islanders a truly definitive experience.
The Free 2.0 Update: A Game-Changer for All Players
The Version 2.0 update, available to all owners of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, is a treasure trove of features that address longtime fan requests and introduce entirely new ways to play. This free content revitalizes daily routines and adds incredible depth to island life.
Brewster and The Roost Return
Perhaps the most anticipated arrival is that of the quiet, coffee-loving pigeon, Brewster. Players can now find his iconic café, The Roost, open 24/7 inside the island museum after assisting Blathers. Here, you can enjoy a fresh cup of joe, encounter other island residents, and even invite specific characters for a coffee break using amiibo figures via the in-cafe amiibo phone. Friends visiting your island can also gather at The Roost for a relaxing group coffee session.
Set Sail with Kapp'n's Boat Tours
The sea shanty-singing turtle, Kapp’n, is back and can be found at your island’s pier. For a small fee of Nook Miles, he will ferry you on his motorboat to mysterious, uncharted islands. These islands offer more than a standard Nook Miles Ticket tour; you might discover islands with different seasons, unique flora like brand-new vines and glowing moss, or a different time of day, all while being serenaded by Kapp'n's charming sea songs.
Harv's Island Gets a Major Expansion
Harv's Island is no longer just a photo studio. With a little financial help from players, the island is being transformed into a bustling open-air market. This new plaza will provide a permanent home for many of the game's traveling vendors. This means you no longer have to wait for a specific day to see characters like Sahara, Kicks, or Redd. Additionally, some beloved characters will offer all-new services:
- Reese & Cyrus: The alpaca couple will offer extensive furniture customization options, allowing you to alter items that you can't customize yourself.
- Katrina: The mysterious panther returns to offer daily fortune-telling.
- Harriet: The stylish poodle will teach you a variety of new hairstyles.
New Gameplay Mechanics and Items
The free update is packed with quality-of-life improvements and new activities:
- Farming and Cooking: Island life gets a culinary boost with the addition of new produce like tomatoes, wheat, sugarcane, carrots, and potatoes. These can be planted, harvested, and used in new cooking DIY recipes to create delicious-looking food items that can be displayed or eaten.
- Island Ordinances: As the Island Representative, you can now enact ordinances to better suit your playstyle. Options like the "Early Bird" or "Night Owl" ordinances will make your villagers more active during those times, while the "Beautiful Island" ordinance will enlist your residents in helping with weeding and watering flowers.
- Pro Decorating License: Interior design is getting a major upgrade. Players can now purchase a Pro Decorating License that allows for the installation of ceiling decor, such as lights and shelving, and the ability to create a single accent wall for a pop of color.
- Gyroids Are Back: The quirky, musical gyroids make their triumphant return. Players can dig up gyroid fragments, plant them, and water them to grow a full gyroid. Each one makes a unique sound, and they can be customized to match your room's decor.
- Expanded Storage and More: Home storage is expanding significantly, and a new storage shed item allows you to access your home's inventory from anywhere on the island. An ABD (Automatic Bell Dispenser) can also be placed outdoors for convenient access to your savings.
Happy Home Paradise: The First Paid DLC
For players who want to take their design skills to the next level, Nintendo announced the game's first paid DLC, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise. This is a substantial expansion that offers a complete new gameplay loop.
In this DLC, you'll fly to a beautiful resort archipelago and join the Paradise Planning team. Your job is to listen to the requests of various characters and design their dream vacation homes. You'll be given a specific theme, such as a "relaxing reading room" or a "mushroom-themed getaway," and a list of required furniture to get you started.
As you complete more designs, you will unlock a powerful new suite of design tools. These include the ability to build partition walls, create counters of different heights, adjust room size, and add special lighting and ambient soundscapes. These new skills can eventually be taken back to your own island to use in your home.
Beyond individual homes, you'll also be tasked with designing facilities for the main resort island, including a school, a restaurant, and a cafe. This expansion offers dozens of hours of new, creative gameplay for those who love the decorating aspects of Animal Crossing.
A Fond Farewell to Major Updates
Nintendo has confirmed that the Version 2.0 update will be the final major free content update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This massive release serves as a capstone to the game's incredible journey, which provided a comforting escape for millions around the world. The combination of the free update and the paid DLC essentially creates a "Game of the Year" edition, solidifying New Horizons as one of the most feature-rich and charming life simulation games ever made. It's a fittingly grand finale that ensures island life will remain fresh and exciting for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the Animal Crossing Version 2.0 update free?
A: Yes, the Version 2.0 update is completely free for everyone who owns the base game of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You just need to connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet to download the update.
Q: How do I get the Happy Home Paradise DLC?
A: The Happy Home Paradise DLC can be acquired in two ways. You can purchase it as a one-time, standalone add-on from the Nintendo eShop, or you can get access to it as part of a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Q: Do I need the DLC to enjoy the new update?
A: Not at all. The Version 2.0 update, which includes Brewster, Kapp'n, gyroids, cooking, and the Harv's Island expansion, is a separate and free update for all players. The Happy Home Paradise DLC is an optional, paid expansion focused purely on vacation home design.
Q: Will there be any more major updates for New Horizons?
A: According to Nintendo's official announcement, the Version 2.0 update is the last major free content update scheduled for the game. Smaller patches for bug fixes may still be released as needed.