Nintendo has not announced a new mainline Animal Crossing game yet
As of now, Nintendo has not officially confirmed plans for a new Animal Crossing title beyond Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which launched on Nintendo Switch in March 2020. The company stopped releasing major updates for that game in November 2021, but that does not mean a sequel is coming soon — Nintendo often waits years between entries in this series.
Animal Crossing games typically release on one console per generation. The Switch version is still the current one, and Nintendo has not signaled when or whether a new entry will arrive. The company tends to announce major releases months in advance through Nintendo Direct presentations or press releases, so you would hear about it through official channels rather than rumors.
Key Takeaways
- Nintendo has not announced a new Animal Crossing game, and the company does not typically release multiple mainline entries per console generation.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch received its final major update in November 2021 and remains the current version of the game.
- Nintendo announces major game releases through official channels like Nintendo Direct presentations, not through leaks or third-party reports.
- If you want to play Animal Crossing now, New Horizons is available on Switch and includes hundreds of hours of content even without new updates.
How often Nintendo releases Animal Crossing games
Nintendo does not follow a predictable schedule for Animal Crossing releases. The gap between Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005) and Animal Crossing: City Folk (2008) was three years. The gap between City Folk and New Leaf (2012) was four years. The gap between New Leaf and New Horizons (2020) was eight years.
This means waiting five, seven, or even ten years between games is normal for this series. Nintendo prioritizes other franchises and does not feel pressure to release Animal Crossing annually the way some publishers do with their major titles. When a new game does arrive, it typically launches on the newest Nintendo console rather than the previous generation.
What happened to Animal Crossing: New Horizons updates
Nintendo released regular free updates to New Horizons from launch through November 2021. These added seasonal items, new villagers, and features like cooking and farming. The final major update arrived in November 2021 and included the 2.0 version bump, new items, and the ability to visit other islands through a new feature called Kapp'n's boat tours.
After that date, Nintendo stopped releasing new content patches. The game still works exactly as it did in November 2021 — nothing broke, nothing was removed. Players can still play indefinitely, catch fish, decorate their island, and visit other players' islands. The lack of new updates does not mean the game is abandoned; it means Nintendo considers the game feature-complete.
Why Nintendo might wait before announcing a new game
Animal Crossing games are designed to be played for years, not finished in weeks. New Horizons has no ending — you can play for hundreds of hours decorating your island, catching every fish and bug, and visiting friends. Because of this design, Nintendo does not need to release a new entry quickly to keep players engaged.
Nintendo also uses major game announcements as marketing events. The company spreads out its big reveals across the year through Nintendo Direct presentations. Announcing a new Animal Crossing game would be a major event, so Nintendo waits until it has a release date close enough to justify the announcement. This typically means waiting until a game is within six to twelve months of launch.
Where to find official Nintendo announcements
Nintendo announces new games through its official website, social media accounts, and Nintendo Direct presentations. Nintendo Direct is a video presentation that typically lasts 30 to 50 minutes and covers upcoming games across all Nintendo platforms. These presentations happen several times per year, though Nintendo does not announce them on a fixed schedule.
You can follow Nintendo's official Twitter account (@Nintendo), check the Nintendo Switch news feed built into the console itself, or visit Nintendo's official website. If a new Animal Crossing game is announced, it will appear in all of these places simultaneously. Third-party gaming news sites will report on it afterward, but the official announcement always comes from Nintendo first.
Playing Animal Crossing right now on your Switch
If you want to play Animal Crossing without waiting for a new release, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available as a physical cartridge or digital read on the Nintendo eShop. The game costs $60 and includes everything released through November 2021. You do not need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play the single-player portion, though you do need one to visit other players' islands online.
New Horizons is designed so you can play at your own pace. There is no time limit, no story to finish, and no way to fail. You can spend 50 hours decorating your island or 500 hours — the game adapts to however much time you want to invest. Many players continue playing years after launch because there is always something to work toward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a new Animal Crossing game coming to Switch?
Nintendo has not announced a new Animal Crossing game for Switch. The company has not ruled one out, but there is no official information about when or whether one will arrive. Nintendo typically waits several years between Animal Crossing releases.
Will Animal Crossing come to Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo has not announced a Switch successor or any games for it. If a new console does launch, Animal Crossing would likely be a major title for it eventually, but that is speculation. Nintendo does not discuss unreleased hardware or games in development.
Can I still play New Horizons if I buy it now?
Yes. Animal Crossing: New Horizons works exactly as it did when the final update released in November 2021. You can play indefinitely, and nothing has been removed or broken. The game is still actively played by millions of people.
Where should I check for news about a new Animal Crossing game?
Follow Nintendo's official social media accounts or check the Nintendo Switch news feed on your console. Nintendo announces major games through Nintendo Direct presentations, which are posted on the official Nintendo YouTube channel. Gaming news sites will report on announcements after Nintendo makes them official.