I worship Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I do know, I do know, sizzling takes like this put me in a distinct segment with about 98% of the individuals who learn this website, however what I am attempting to say is that when Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Change 2 Version and three.0 replace was introduced yesterday, I used to be as excited because the Bros. who delivered me my fourth fossil in at some point. it’s very excited.
I spent the night grinning in regards to the return of Sonny Lisetti, the Minel villager (!!), all of the design prospects the resort resort has, and tons of crafting. I used to be additionally fairly proud of Change 2-specific options like mouse mode and sport chat. It is in all probability not as huge as the additional options provided within the 3.0 replace, nevertheless it’s a pleasant little bonus for Β£4.
However then, as I settled into mattress after an evening counting down the times till January fifteenth (as we speak is 77 days, in case you are curious), I felt slightly anxious. βIf solely New Horizons Change 2 Version have been to reach with such a bang,β I assumed to myself. 12 months Till the brand new Animal Crossing comes out! β

This is not to say I am notably eager on taking the subsequent step from New Horizons. If the months of lockdown have taught me something, it is that this sport could be performed perpetually (when you’ve got the time). However I noticed that lots of my pleasure for Change 2 was based mostly on seeing what would occur subsequent. i already performed New horizons and regardless of how a lot you broaden your own home storage, nothing feels as contemporary as a brand new entry.
I am beginning to think about the Nintendo Change 2 version as an enormous previous placeholder in Nintendo’s launch schedule. That is a type of “we’re not fairly able to let you know what’s subsequent, so this is one thing acquainted to maintain you busy within the meantime” moments that we’re changing into an increasing number of conversant in. Would an all-new sport have significantly better gross sales prospects for the console?
There was an analogous story on Change. Relatively than give us a brand new Mario Kart, we received Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. As a substitute of the brand new 3D Mario, I received Tremendous Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. There isn’t any doubt that these are nice video games, however they’re additionally an indication that we’re nonetheless years away from new gamers.
That is not what I need for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. New Horizons was launched over 5 years in the past*gulp*, though it hardly issues, size As you wait between collection entries, the arrival of the Change 2 Version makes you suppose Nintendo may simply make you wait one other 5 years. Sweeten the deal by throwing in some surprising content material updates a couple of years later, like MK8D’s Booster Course Go, and also you may find yourself ready even longer, perpetually satisfied that the 2020 sport has one thing new to supply.
I do not know the place I am going subsequent after New Horizons, however I used to be pondering the identical factor after New Leaf. All Nintendo Change 2 Version does is delay the subsequent entry. We’ll have a good time again in ACNH, however we can’t perceive the magic of terraforming an island within the first place, will we?
On a extra urgent notice, setting apart the trade cap for a second, Animal Crossing is a system vendor. I can not think about a brand new entry within the collection reaching the 48 million gross sales that New Horizons collected until Nintendo creates one other world pandemic, however folks will. flock The identical goes for that. In a launch 12 months the place re-releases are being criticized, would not Animal Crossing: New Horizons be an enormous push to get a Change 2?
All of it appears like most of the identical considerations I’ve had with consoles on the whole for the previous few months. I believe the lineup for the primary 12 months is nice, however I am fortunate. like Many of the video games are re-released. No quantity of graphics upgrades or mouse modes can overturn the truth that these are video games that I and plenty of others have performed earlier than, some just some years in the past.
In fact, that is how console launches work nowadays, and in comparison with the Xbox Sequence and PS5, the Change 2 is already off to an incredible begin so far as software program is anxious.
I additionally must remind myself that I have never continued to make use of NS2 Version during the previous 4 months. Exclusives included Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Drag x Drive. Kirby’s Air Rider and Hyrule Warriors are simply across the nook, and new Change 2 entries for Mario Tennis, Yoshi, Splatoon, PokΓ©mon, and Fireplace Emblem are already lined up for 2026. Evaluating this to the PS5 unique record from the primary few years is a strong reminder that we’re consuming great things.

However I believe we’re nonetheless lacking an actual huge hitter. The Change 2 editions of BOTW and TOTK appeared like fairly good stand-ins for brand spanking new video games in that collection (to be honest, there have been two newbies prior to now two years). Donkey Kong Bananza positively appears like a 3D Mario substitute. The 2D side may even be featured quickly on the Mario Marvel + Meetup at Verabel Park.
“Animal Crossing” has made everybody suppose, “Sure, now I want Change 2, however I am anxious that the January re-release means it is nonetheless a very long time earlier than we all know what Newer Horizons might be like.