The wait is finally over. With the surprise release of the Animal Crossing 3.0 guide details dropping alongside the massive Nintendo Switch 2 launch this week, island representatives everywhere are scrambling to update their games. As of January 19, 2026, millions of players have already begun the migration to the new hardware, eager to experience the stunning 4K visual overhauls and the much-anticipated Resort Hotel expansion. Whether you are transferring your 1,000-hour island or starting fresh, this update fundamentally changes the endgame loop.

How to Unlock the ACNH Resort Hotel Expansion

The crown jewel of the Version 3.0 update is undoubtedly the Resort Hotel. Unlike the paid Happy Home Paradise DLC, this expansion is free for all players, but it doesn't appear immediately upon loading your game. To trigger the construction event, your island must meet specific criteria that some returning players might have neglected.

First, ensure your island has a 3-star rating and that you have upgraded the Museum to include the Art Wing. If these conditions are met, Isabelle will make a special morning announcement about "new construction permits" issued for the pier. Head to your dock—previously just a fishing spot—and you'll find Kapp'n, Leilani, and a construction crew. The expansion extends your pier significantly, adding a lobby and guest suites managed by Kapp'n's family.

Once built, Tom Nook will recruit you as the "Honorary Manager," unlocking the ACNH Resort Hotel unlock achievement and giving you access to the new management interface. This is where the real gameplay loop begins, as you're tasked with decorating guest rooms to attract tourists from other players' islands.

Farming Resort Points: The New Premium Currency

Forget Bells and Nook Miles; the economy of the 3.0 update revolves around a new currency officially dubbed Hotel Tickets, though the community has already coined them "Resort Points." You will need to master the ACNH Resort Points farm loop to purchase the high-end exclusive furniture now available in Grams' souvenir shop.

The most efficient way to earn points is by completing daily "VIP Requests." Each day, Leilani provides a theme (e.g., "Retro Arcade" or "Zen Garden") for a VIP guest. Matching the furniture to the theme's color and style tags yields a 2.5x point multiplier. Additionally, check the "DIY Request Box" outside the hotel lobby. Crafting the requested bulk items—now easier thanks to the new 10x bulk crafting update—awards a steady stream of points without requiring design work. Players strictly grinding for the new furniture should prioritize these daily request boxes, as they offer the highest time-to-reward ratio.

Exclusive ACNH Switch 2 Edition Features

While the content is available on the original console, the ACNH Switch 2 Edition features take the experience to a distinct level. The most immediate difference is the "Island Architect" mode. On the new hardware, terraforming is no longer a tile-by-tile slog. The Switch 2's processing power allows players to drag and drop terrain features using a cursor system similar to the house decorating mode, a feature fans have requested for six years.

Visually, the difference is stark. The game runs at a locked 60 FPS even on heavily decorated islands, and the new dynamic lighting engine adds realistic shadows to furniture and trees. If you are playing on the Switch 2, you also gain access to three extra "Slumber Island" slots, allowing you to save and visit multiple dream versions of your own island layouts without overwriting your main save.

How to Transfer ACNH Save to Switch 2

Moving your island is a critical step, and the process has changed slightly from the 2021 method. To transfer ACNH save to Switch 2, you cannot simply use the cloud save backup. You must download the updated "Island Transfer Tool" (Version 2.0.0) from the eShop on both consoles.

  • Source Console: Open the tool and select "Send Island."
  • Target Console (Switch 2): Open the tool and select "Receive Island."

The transfer now includes a verification step that ensures your Happy Home Paradise data and the new Resort Hotel progress move over simultaneously. Be warned: once transferred, the island is wiped from the source console to prevent item duplication exploits.

ACNH 3.0 New Furniture List and Collaborations

The ACNH 3.0 new furniture list is extensive, focusing heavily on interactive items and new collaborations. The update introduces over 400 new items, including a massive "Retro Nintendo" set that lets you play emulated demos of NES classics if you have a Switch Online subscription.

Notable additions include:

  • Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Set: Includes Ultrahand glue spills, Zonai devices, and a Master Sword pedestal.
  • LEGO Collaboration: Functional brick sets that can be customized into different builds.
  • Resort Luxury Collection: High-end spas, grand pianos, and marble pillars purchasable only with Resort Points.

With the Animal Crossing 2026 update now live, the community is seeing a renaissance of creativity. The combination of the Resort Hotel's management gameplay and the Switch 2's powerful building tools has successfully revitalized the six-year-old title, proving that island life is far from over.