Summary
- Rumors suggest a new Animal Crossing game may launch in 2026 for Nintendo's next game console.
- With a six-year gap between New Horizons and a potential sequel, the window seems plausible, although nothing is confirmed yet.
- Nintendo could benefit greatly from putting Animal Crossing on Switch 2 due to the franchise's proven popularity and appeal.
The Animal Crossing series has quickly become one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises. The latest entry in the series, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, has become one of the highest-selling games for the Nintendo Switch, as its strong casual and hardcore appeal makes it a compelling grab on Nintendo’s hybrid platform. With over 44 million copies sold - almost three-and-a-half times what the previous highest-selling Animal Crossing game pushed - Nintendo has been sitting on a goldmine with this franchise.
It should come as no surprise that rumors are flying about a new entry in the series. Recent reports claim that Nintendo is prepping to showcase the next Animal Crossing title at the unveiling of its next system, with an expected release date of 2026. Like any video game rumor, this information is unconfirmed and should be taken with a grain of salt, but it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see Nintendo gearing up for the next Animal Crossing game.
Animal Crossing On Switch 2 Feels Like A Given
The Wait For A New Animal Crossing Has Gone Long Enough
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has currently been out for four years. Enough time has passed since its release that gamers can reasonably start to expect something new. Assuming the 2026 release window is correct, that would indicate a six-year gap between New Horizons and the next entry.
That date feels like a bit of the middle ground compared to the release dates across the rest of the series. Generally, mainline Animal Crossing titles come out within three to four years of each other, with New Horizons being the rare exception at eight years after the previous game’s release. Even in a gaming landscape where the wait for sequels can be a bit longer, Nintendo has kept its budgets tight enough that the sequel gaps aren’t as long, and six years feels rather reasonable for a follow-up to such a resoundingly successful game.
Why Wouldn’t Nintendo Put Animal Crossing On Switch 2?
To that end, there's no obvious reason that Nintendo wouldn't want to put a new Animal Crossing game on its next console. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is second only to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe among the highest-selling games on the Switch, and it’s become a massive cultural phenomenon since its 2020 release. The series has always been incredibly popular, but New Horizons saw an explosion of popularity the likes of which few franchises have seen, tearing through the franchise’s best-selling entries in just under two months.
It’s clearer than ever that Animal Crossing is in high demand. It’s a franchise that all kinds of gamers can get into and enjoy, and it clearly proved that it could push people to buy a Switch. Gamers have cause to be excited for Nintendo’s next platform after the successful innovations of the Switch, but bringing a franchise with the commercial popularity and appeal of Animal Crossing is a no-brainer if Nintendo wants the next system to court a massive audience in the same way that the Switch did.
It’s a franchise that all kinds of gamers can get into and enjoy, and it clearly proved that it could push people to buy a Switch.
Animal Crossing on Switch 2 Should Still Be Taken As A Rumor
It obviously needs to be stressed to the highest degree that this rumor should be taken with a grain of salt. The X user that posted about it, “NWeedle,” does not have an extensive history of reliable, accurate leaks, so it’s naturally valid to pause before jumping on a rumor like this. Furthermore, all of the information in the initial tweet is translated from Spanish, so it’s important to be wary of potential mistranslations.
Still, it doesn’t seem far-fetched to imagine a new Animal Crossing game coming along for the Switch 2, especially early in its life. Given how successful the series - along with the sheer explosion in popularity that it saw with New Horizons - Nintendo has to be thinking about how it can capitalize on such popularity with this series. Ultimately, whether NWeedle is correct or not, fans shouldn't be surprised if Nintendo wastes no time announcing a new Animal Crossing for the next system.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- March 20, 2020
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Expansions
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.
Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
- Franchise
- Animal Crossing
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- How Long To Beat
- 100 Hours
