Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update & Happy Home Paradise DLC Release Date

Major Updates Coming to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” on November 5

Nintendo has revealed a substantial update for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” scheduled to launch on November 5. This update introduces beloved characters from previous installments.

Returning Characters and New Features

Players can anticipate the arrival of characters such as Brewster, Kapp’n, and Harriet. Furthermore, the update will include farming and cooking DIY recipes, alongside a variety of new furniture items to enhance island life.

Brewster, the coffee-brewing pigeon, will be establishing “The Roost” cafe. Players will be able to enjoy a cup of coffee for 200 bells and even invite friends via amiibo cards or the new amiibo pack, available November 5 for $5.99 (containing six cards).

Kapp’n will offer boat tours to unexplored islands, featuring unique flora, seasons, and times of day. These voyages are akin to Nook Miles Ticket expeditions, but with expanded possibilities.

Harriet, previously the owner of the Shampoodle shop, will now assist players in learning new hairstyles on Harv’s Island. Players can collaborate with Harv and Harriet to construct a plaza for shops like Sahara and Kicks, and Katrina, the fortune-teller, will also be making her debut.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

The update incorporates several requested quality-of-life enhancements. Players can now utilize island ordinances, adjusted through Isabelle, to influence villager activity patterns.

Tom Nook will permit increased storage capacity, expanding home inventory to 5,000 items from the previous 2,400. The maximum number of bridges and inclines per island will also increase to ten, and ladders will aid in traversing terrain.

New additions like storage sheds and automatic bell dispensers (ABDs) will provide convenient access to storage, bells, and Nook Miles throughout the island. Nook’s Cranny will also stock new items, including lighting and ceiling decor, accessible with a “pro decorating license.”

Farming, Cooking, and More

Inspired by games like “Stardew Valley,” players can now cultivate vegetables on their islands and utilize DIY recipes to prepare meals for villagers. This introduces a new nutritional element to the game.

Gyroids can be planted and unearthed, and players can enjoy 12 new songs by KK Slider. An updated in-game camera app allows for photos from the character’s perspective, with a tripod mode for self-portraits.

Group stretching sessions with villagers are also included, utilizing Joy-Con motion controls or button presses.

“Happy Home Paradise” DLC and Nintendo Switch Online+

This update represents the final free content addition for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” Alongside the update, Nintendo announced the “Happy Home Paradise” DLC, priced at $24.99.

The DLC will also be accessible through the new Nintendo Switch Online+ expansion pack, which costs $49.99 annually for individuals and $79.99 for families. The standard Nintendo Switch Online plan remains available at $19.99 per year (family plan: $34.99).

In “Happy Home Paradise,” players will design vacation homes for villagers on a nearby archipelago. This allows for the learning of new design techniques, including adjustable counter heights, room partitions, furniture polishing, and custom lighting. Players are compensated in Poki, which can be used to purchase DLC-exclusive furniture.

These design skills can be applied to the player’s own island, and experienced players can even remodel villagers’ existing homes.

A Timely Update

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” launched in March 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The game quickly became a popular means of social connection during a period of isolation, achieving the status of the console’s second-best-selling title.

Despite its success, updates have been limited. The new content aims to re-engage players and provide fresh experiences within the virtual world.

This update offers a chance to revisit our islands, reconnect with animal neighbors, and address those persistent pixelated cockroaches.