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ACNH - Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
What to Do Before the 3.0 Update
★ Update 3.0 is out on January 15, 2026!
☆ Things to Do Before the 3.0 Update
★ Switch 2 Edition Features and Price
☆ January To-Do List
★ Flick's Bug-Off
☆ Nook Shopping Seasonal Items
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
 Attention!
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Only follow these tips if you want to access the new features right away! Feel free to still play at your own pace. |
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What to Do Before the 3.0 Update
- Reach the End Credits
- Vacate a Plot
- Gather Materials
- Expand Your Catalogue
- Save Bells
- Check Island Layout
Reach the End Credits
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
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
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.
Expand Your Catalogue
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
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
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
January 15, 2026
Version 3.0 will drop on January 15, 2026, along with the version upgrade for Switch 2 users. 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
| 3.0 Updates | |
|---|---|
 What to Do Before the 3.0 Update |
- |
| Daily Life | |
 ACNH 100% Checklist |
 Daily & Weekly To-Do List |
 How to Increase Inventory Space |
 How to Get Presents from Balloons |
| Island Features | |
 Island Designer Unlock Walkthrough |
 How to Raise Your Island's Star Rating |
| Villager Tips | |
 How to Kick Out Villagers |
 How to Get New Villagers |
 How to Get Specific Villagers You Want |
 How to Get Villager Photos and Posters |
| Items and Farming | |
 Jolly Redd's Treasure Trawler |
 List of Haunted Art |
 How to Get Infinite Tarantula Island |
 How to Get Infinite Scorpion Island |
| General Tips | |
 Time Traveling Guide |
 Secrets and Hidden Content |
 What is Luck? |
 How to Use the Warp Pipe |
 How Often Does a Message in a Bottle Spawn? |
- |
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What to Do Before the 3.0 Update
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