Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is Nintendo's Most Affordable Next-Gen Upgrade

Nintendo has officially unveiled the pricing details for the much-anticipated Animal Crossing: New Horizons \u2013 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, along with its corresponding upgrade package. Enthusiasts will find these new offerings to be surprisingly economical, establishing it as the most accessibly priced Switch 2 Edition to date from the renowned gaming company.

The complete Animal Crossing: New Horizons \u2013 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is now available for pre-order via the Switch eShop at a cost of \u00a354.99 in the UK and $64.99 in the US. For players who already own the game and wish to transition to the updated hardware, an upgrade pack is on offer for a modest \u00a34.19 or $4.99. This pricing strategy positions Animal Crossing as a significantly more affordable option compared to other Switch 2 releases.

To provide some context, other notable Switch 2 editions, such as Pok\u00e9mon Legends: Z-A, were priced higher at \u00a358.99 / $69.99 for the full game and \u00a37.99 / $9.99 for its upgrade. Similarly, titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Super Mario Party Jamboree commanded prices of \u00a366.99 / $79.99 for the new hardware versions, with their upgrades costing \u00a316.99 / $19.99. Even The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, while offering free upgrades to NSO subscribers, had a higher price point for non-subscribers at \u00a366.99 / $79.99 or \u00a316.99 / $19.99 for the enhanced experience. The comparatively lower cost for Animal Crossing: New Horizons reflects the nature of its enhancements.

While the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition introduces welcome features like Mouse Mode integration, enhanced resolutions, and GameChat functionalities, it notably maintains the original 30 frames per second (fps) frame rate. This makes it the first Switch 2 Edition not to include a frame rate boost. Furthermore, much of the new content, including a fresh Megaphone item, is part of the ver. 3.0 update, which will also be available on the original Switch. In contrast, upgrades for games like Kirby or Mario Party brought entirely new modes and levels. These factors likely contribute to the reduced price point, aligning expectations with the scope of the updates.

Ultimately, the pricing of Animal Crossing: New Horizons \u2013 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and its upgrade pack offers a more budget-friendly entry into next-generation gaming for fans of the beloved life simulation series. Despite the absence of a frame rate increase, the other enhancements and overall value proposition make it an appealing choice for many, underscoring Nintendo's varied approach to next-gen updates.