How to Pre-Load (Download before Release)

This guide shows you how to pre-load Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) for the Nintendo Switch, before its release.

Note: Animal Crossing: New Horizons has already been released and this guide no longer applies to the present.

How to Pre-Load

If Buying Directly from the Nintendo eShop

Step 1	Enlarge Select the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch home page.
Step 2	Enlarge Find Animal Crossing: New Horizons by searching via the search bar, or by going to the "Coming Soon" section.
Step 3	Enlarge Select Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Step 4	Enlarge Select Proceed to Purchase. (Download will start after confirming the purchase)

The Coming Soon tab is sorted by the date of release date. Remember – Animal Crossing New Horizons will be released on March 20, 2020 and once you've pre-loaded the game, it can be played from 12:00 AM on the day of release.

If Using a Download Card

Step 1	Enlarge Select the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch homepage.
Step 2	Enlarge Select Enter Code from the choices on the left side of the screen.
Step 3	Enter the code from your Download Card. (The game will start downloading after entering the card details and confirming)

Benefits of Pre-Loading

Play Right After Launch

If you pre-load the game Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you will be able to play the game on the day of release from 12:00 AM on March 20, 2020. If you want to be the first on your block to get into the game, pre-loading is the way to go!

How to Play after Pre-Loading

If you have already downloaded the game files, you can start the game on the date of release, March 20, 2020 just by following these simple steps, without any need for long waiting times.

Things to Watch Out for when Pre-Loading

You Will Need At Least 6.2GB of Storage

Animal Crossing New Horizons requires a total of 6.2GB of free space on your Nintendo Switch. Your Nintendo Switch has a built in 32GB of space so if your memory is full, you might need to delete other game data, or prepare a microSD card to store more data.

Examples of games that take a lot of space

If you have installed other games onto your Nintendo Switch's memory, and have accumulated a total of 26 GB, with no microSD card to use, you will not be able to install Animal Crossing: New Horizons onto your Nintendo Switch. Just another reason to pre-load – you don't want to run into that problem on the day of release!

Related Guides

DLC and Event Updates
List of New Features	List of New Horizons DLC
April Ver 1.2 Update	July Ver 1.3 Update
August Ver 1.4 Update	September Ver 1.5 Update
November Ver 1.6 Update	January Ver 1.7 Update
February Ver 1.8.0 Update	1st Anniversary Event
March Ver 1.9.0 Update	April Ver 1.10.0 Update
April Ver 1.11.0 Update	ACNH Direct and November Update
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack	November Ver 2.0.1 Update
November Ver 2.0.2 Update	November Version 2.0.3 Update
December Ver 2.0.4 Update
Merchandise and Promotions
Sanrio amiibo Pack	Build-A-Bear Collection
How to Use the Island Tour Creator	Original Soundtrack and Sheet Music
UNIQLO Collection	PUMA x ACNH Collab
Bugs and Patch Updates
Maintenance | Fix Errors	How to Update and Update Patch Notes
Game Glitches
How to Climb the 4th Cliff Level	How to Plant Trees on Clifftop Edges
1x1 Item Duplication Glitch [Fixed]	2x1 Item Duplication Glitch [Fixed]
Mailbox Item Duplication Glitch [Fixed]	How to Plant Trees on Paths [Fixed]
How to Swim in Rivers | How to Sit in Pools	How to Center Items on Tables Outside
Pre-Release Content
Animal Crossing Direct	Is there a Demo?
Pre-order Bonuses	Giveaways
How to Pre-load