Nintendo Releases Free 3.0 Update with New Hotel and Expanded Storage

At a Glance

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons gets a free 3.0 update featuring a new resort hotel and a storage upgrade to 9,000 items.
• The update adds classic Nintendo consoles, Lego items, and online play for Switch Online members.
• A new multiplayer mode, Slumber Island, lets friends design and share up to three islands.
• Why it matters: Players can now expand their island life, enjoy new content for free, and collaborate with friends in new ways.

By Sophia A. Reynolds for News Of Los Angeles

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The latest free content update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons brings a host of new features that extend both the island’s aesthetic possibilities and its functional capacity. Nintendo rolled out the 3.0 update on January 15, arriving a day early, and it introduces a boutique resort hotel, a storage upgrade, classic game consoles, and a new multiplayer island-building mode.

New Resort Hotel

The highlight of the update is a resort hotel run by Kapp’n’s family. The hotel sits on the pier, and players can:

• Decorate guest rooms with furniture and clothing.
• Dress mannequins in custom outfits.
• Offer guests a polished stay experience.

Tom Nook, the island’s business owner, explains the hotel’s operation in a short in-game tutorial that appears when you first visit the pier. The hotel is the biggest change since the 2.0 update, giving players a new destination to visit and a new way to interact with the game’s social system.

Storage Expansion

The update also upgrades home storage to hold 9,000 items-a dramatic increase that now includes plants and flowers. The upgrade means you can keep more of your favorite items without cluttering the island. In addition, Resetti’s Reset Service is available to tidy up any mess left behind, such as stray items or cockroaches.

Classic Nintendo Consoles

A set of classic Nintendo game consoles appears in the new update. Nintendo Switch Online members receive an extra perk: they can play select classic games directly through the consoles when they interact with them. This feature adds a nostalgic layer to the island, letting players revisit beloved titles.

Lego, Zelda, and Splatoon Additions

Beyond the consoles, the update introduces Lego items and themed items from The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series. These items let players mix and match new aesthetics with their existing island décor.

Slumber Island Multiplayer

Nintendo Switch Online members can also try a new multiplayer mode called Slumber Island. In this mode, players can:

• Design and save up to three new islands.
• Invite friends to play online together.
• Collaborate on building and decorating.
• Invite residents from the home island to visit the new creations.

Slumber Island expands the social aspect of Animal Crossing, letting friends share creative projects across separate islands.

How to Install

To install the update:

1. Turn on your Nintendo Switch.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts.
3. The update will download and install automatically.

If you haven’t played in a while, the game will prompt your character to shake out their hair, stomp any cockroaches in their home, and answer villagers’ questions about your absence.

Release Timeline

Nintendo rethought that decision, opting to release 3.0 instead.

Community Reaction

Players are excited about the new hotel and the expanded storage. Some are still hoping for a brand-new Animal Crossing title, especially now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is out. Nintendo’s representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The 3.0 update demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to keeping Animal Crossing: New Horizons fresh and engaging. With a new hotel, a massive storage upgrade, classic consoles, and a collaborative multiplayer mode, the game offers plenty of free content for players to enjoy.

Key Takeaways

• The 3.0 update adds a boutique resort hotel, 9,000-item storage, classic consoles, Lego, Zelda, and Splatoon items.
• Nintendo Switch Online members gain online play for classic games and access to Slumber Island.
• The update arrived on January 15, one day early, following an October announcement.
• Nintendo’s representative did not comment on the release.

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By keeping the island lively and the gameplay expansive, Nintendo continues to support its community with free, high-quality content.