Nintendo is preparing to breathe new life into Animal Crossing: New Horizons with its substantial Version 3.0.0 update, set to arrive on January 15, 2026. This free update, launching on both the Nintendo Switch and the newly revealed Nintendo Switch 2, marks the series’ most ambitious post-launch expansion yet. Alongside new facilities, features, and storage improvements, players will gain access to a crossover event that integrates The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon universes directly into island life. Through compatible amiibo figures, fans can now summon a variety of themed villagers inspired by beloved characters from both series.
Splatoon Series Amiibo
The Splatoon line of amiibo enables players to summon either Cece or Viché, depending on which figure is scanned. Notably, the Big Man amiibo offers a unique feature, allowing users to choose between summoning Cece or Viché—this is the first time crossover villagers have provided such an option in the franchise. Below is a summary of the compatible figures and their corresponding villagers:
- Cece: Octoling Octopus, Octoling (Blue), Smallfry, Shiver, Callie (Alterna), Marina (Side Order), Callie, Marina, Octoling Girl, Octoling Boy
- Viché: Inkling (Yellow), Frye, Marie (Alterna), Pearl (Side Order), Inkling Girl (Super Smash Bros. series), Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Inkling Squid, Marie, Pearl, multiple color variants of Inkling characters (Lime Green, Purple, Orange, Neon Pink, Neon Green, Neon Purple)
- Special Option: Big Man amiibo (Cece or Viché selectable)
This crossover highlights Splatoon’s vibrant character, blending its stylish, ink-fueled world with the tranquil environment of Animal Crossing.
The Legend of Zelda Series Amiibo
For fans of The Legend of Zelda, the update brings an equally impressive lineup. Depending on the amiibo, players can summon either Mineru or Tulin as visiting villagers. These characters draw direct inspiration from Tears of the Kingdom and earlier entries, linking the Animal Crossing universe with Hyrule’s enduring legacy.
- Mineru: Guardian (Breath of the Wild), Zelda (Breath of the Wild), Urbosa, Mipha, Link (Link’s Awakening), Zelda (Tears of the Kingdom), Siden, Riju, Zelda (Super Smash Bros. series), Sheik, Wolf Link (Twilight Princess), Link (Ocarina of Time), Link (Twilight Princess), Link (Zelda 1), Zelda (Wind Waker), Link (Rider, Breath of the Wild)
- Tulin: Bokoblin, Daruk, Rivali, Zelda & Loftwing (Skyward Sword), Link (Tears of the Kingdom), Ganondorf (Tears of the Kingdom), Tulin, Yunobo, Link (Super Smash Bros. series), Ganondorf (Super Smash Bros. series), Young Link, Link (Majora’s Mask), Link (Skyward Sword), Toon Link (Wind Waker), Link (Archer, Breath of the Wild)
This comprehensive compatibility list showcases Nintendo’s deep integration of its most iconic franchises into New Horizons. Players who have long collected amiibo will find renewed value in revisiting their figures as the game expands its roster of crossover content.
Beyond amiibo compatibility, Version 3.0.0 introduces an extensive array of new features. Kapp’n will return to operate a Resort Hotel, offering visitors a tropical getaway within their own island ecosystem. Longtime fans will also welcome the return of Resetti’s Reset Service, now reimagined as a cleanup tool for managing clutter and terrain issues. Another major addition is the creation of Slumber Islands, specialized zones where players can experiment with design projects without disrupting their main island. Meanwhile, home storage has been significantly expanded, allowing residents to store up to 9,000 items — a long-requested improvement for creative decorators.
The update also coincides with the introduction of an enhanced version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch 2. This upgraded edition will feature visual and performance improvements tailored to the new console, further extending the game’s lifespan well into the next hardware generation.
