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Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH)

What to Do Before the 3.0 Update (Final Prep)

Add to Watchlist

★ Update 3.0 and NS2 Editions are out now!
┗ Unlock the Hotel & the Special Nintendo Catalog.
┗ Collab Guides with LEGO, Splatoon, and Zelda
☆ Switch 2 Edition Features and Price
★ Enjoy sandbox building in Slumber Islands.
☆ New Villagers: Cece, Viche, Tulin, and Mineru!

Animal Crossing New Horizons ACNH - What to Do Before the 3.0 Update

Reaching the end credits, saving Bells, and expanding your catalogue are some of the recommended things to do before the 3.0 update of Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). See what to do before the 3.0 update here to fully experience all the new features on release.

List of Contents

Tom Nook IconAttention! Only follow these tips if you want to access the new features right away! Feel free to still play at your own pace.

What to Do Before the 3.0 Update (Final Prep)

Reach the End Credits

Kapp

Similar to the Version 2.0 update, most features in Version 3.0 may only become available after reaching the first end credits. This means you need to upgrade Resident Services, have 10 villagers, and reach a three-star island rating before accessing the new features.

In Version 2.0, The Roost, Kapp'n's boat tours, and ordinances only became available after the first end credits, so it's likely that Kapp'n's Family Hotel will receive the same treatment upon release.

Update 3.0 Release Time and Countdown

Vacate a Plot

Cece and Viche Returns

If you're planning to house any of the new villagers, make sure to plan which plot you want to vacate. Do not do this immediately, however. Wait for the update to drop instead. Inviting villagers from camps can take up to three days, and there is a high chance that the plot will be autofilled during that time.

The update will feature the return of Cece and Viche from the Splatoon series, fully redesigned for New Horizons. It will also debut Mineru and Tulin from The Legend of Zelda. Other Zelda collaboration villagers may also return, such as Medli, Epona, Ganon, and Wolf Link.

How to Get New Villagers to Move In

Gather Materials

DIY Bulk

Crafting will play a huge role in the upcoming update, so make sure to gather as many materials as you can. You'll also get to try the quality of life feature that lets you use materials directly from your storage and make DIYs in bulk once the update drops.

List of DIY Materials

Expand Your Catalogue

Luna

Like in Happy Home Paradise, the Family Hotel will also run similarly, where you can use items from your catalogue to decorate. If you want more options when decorating rooms in the hotel, be sure to expand your catalogue. You can do this by trading with your friends or buying anything you see from Nook's Cranny or Nook Shopping.

The catalogue will also play a huge role in Luna's New Dream World, where the available items will largely depend on your current catalogue.

How to Get the Nook Shopping App

Save Bells

Legend of Zelda Collaboration Item

Several collaboration items will also drop in the new update, including Splatoon, LEGO, and The Legend of Zelda items. These will be purchasable from Nook Shopping as well, so make sure to get as many Bells as you can to buy them all.

How to Get Bells Fast: Money Making Guide

Check Island Layout

New Resetti Feature

If you're also planning to redesign or redecorate certain parts of your island, there is no need to start clearing them yourself. Resetti can help you clear everything at once, making cleanup much easier!

3.0 Update Release Date

Released on January 15, 2026

Animal Crossing New Horizons V3

Version 3.0 has been released on January 15, 2026, along with the version upgrade for Switch 2 users. If you haven’t updated your game yet, be sure to do all the things mentioned above before the 3.0 update goes live.

Update 3.0 Release Time and Countdown

ACNH - Animal Crossing: New Horizons Related Guides

Beginner

Beginner's Tips and Tricks

All Tips and Tricks Guides

3.0 Guides
ACNH - What to Do Before the 3.0 UpdateWhat to Do Before the 3.0 Update How to Get Zelda Items How to Get Zelda Items
Animal Crossing New Horizons ACNH - How to Jump, Skip, and Sidestep How to Jump, Skip, and Sidestep Animal Crossing New Horizons (ACNH) - How to Invite Guests Using amiiboHow to Invite Guests Using amiibo
How to Farm Hotel Tickets How to Farm Hotel Tickets Animal Crossing New Horizons (ACNH) - Bulk Crafting GuideBulk Crafting Guide
Hotel Guide PartialHotel Guide Slumber Island GuideSlumber Island Guide
Animal Crossing New Horizons ACNH - How to Get and Use the Megaphone How to Get and Use the Megaphone on Switch 2 How to Decorate Hotel RoomsHow to Decorate Hotel Rooms
DIY Requests Guide partialDIY Item Requests Guide Animal Crossing New Horizons ACNH - Resetti Resetti's Reset Service Guide
How to Get Splatoon ItemsHow to Get Splatoon Items All Grams Souvenir Shop ItemsAll Grams Souvenir Shop Items
Daily Life
ACNH - Animal Crossing: New Horizons 100% Checklist partialACNH 100% Checklist ACNH - What to Do in Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Daily & Weekly To-Do ListDaily & Weekly To-Do List
ACNH - How to Increase Inventory Space | Pocket UpgradesHow to Increase Inventory Space ACNH - How to Get Presents from Balloons | Spawn RatesHow to Get Presents from Balloons
Island Features
ACNH - Island Designer and Terraforming Unlock WalkthroughIsland Designer Unlock Walkthrough How to Raise Your IslandHow to Raise Your Island's Star Rating
Villager Tips
ACNH - How to Kick Out Villagers | How to Get Rid of VillagersHow to Kick Out Villagers ACNH - How to Get New Villagers to Move InHow to Get New Villagers
ACNH - How to Get Specific Villagers You WantHow to Get Specific Villagers You Want ACNH - How to Get Villager Photos & PostersHow to Get Villager Photos and Posters
Items and Farming
ACNH - How to Unlock Jolly ReddJolly Redd's Treasure Trawler ACNH - List of Haunted Art | Moving Paintings and StatuesList of Haunted Art
ACNH - Infinite Tarantula Island - How to Get Infinite TarantulaHow to Get Infinite Tarantula Island ACNH - Infinite Scorpion Island - How to Get Infinite Scorpion mode:showHow to Get Infinite Scorpion Island
Daisy MaeStalk Market Guide -
General Tips
ACNH - Time Traveling Guide | How to Change the Date and TimeTime Traveling Guide ACNH - Secrets and Hidden Content | Did You Know?Secrets and Hidden Content
ACNH - What is LuckWhat is Luck? ACNH - How to Use the Mario Warp Pipe | Teleport GuideHow to Use the Warp Pipe
ACNH - How Often Does a Message in a Bottle Spawn?Message in a Bottle Spawn Time -

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