The recent unveiling of the Switch 2 during the Nintendo Direct event had fans buzzing with excitement, and for good reason. January’s announcement had already piqued interest, but the latest showcase provided a detailed look at what the next generation of Nintendo has in store. From the console’s improved hardware to a slew of upcoming games, there was certainly a lot to digest for eager Nintendo enthusiasts.
Yet, not all fans were thrilled with everything on display during the event. Those who love Nintendo’s more laid-back offerings might have found the presentation somewhat lacking. Surprisingly, the much-loved Animal Crossing series was absent from the announcements, which could have been an ideal moment for Nintendo to introduce a new installment.
The stage seemed perfectly set for an Animal Crossing reveal, considering it’s been five years since the last entry came out, leaving fans in suspense about the future of the franchise. Despite a number of rumors swirling around last year, suggesting that a sequel to New Horizons was on the horizon, Nintendo has stayed mum, leaving those rumors unconfirmed.
As the Switch 2 gears up for its June 5 debut, priced at $450 or $500 bundled with Mario Kart World, it’s clear the new console will welcome back players with its backward compatibility feature. This means fans can continue enjoying Animal Crossing: New Horizons on their new devices. However, the anticipated upgrades other titles are receiving seem to elude New Horizons, at least for now, which is a puzzling omission.
Even though speculation suggests future Animal Crossing titles might be more multiplayer-focused, the absence of any concrete news is leaving fans on edge. The Switch 2’s introduction hints at a shift in focus, possibly aiming to broaden its appeal beyond just cozy games, given that FromSoftware is developing a console-exclusive title, The Duskbloods.
For now, Animal Crossing fans are left yearning for something new, even though a refreshed version of New Horizons might appear down the road. While it’s hard not to feel a bit disappointed, there is still hope that Nintendo will soon surprise fans with an exciting update that rekindles the magic that only Animal Crossing can bring.
In terms of technical specs, the Switch 2 impresses with its 256GB storage and support for MicroSD, offering gamers plenty of space to explore new worlds in crisp 1080p handheld visuals or stunning 4K resolution when docked. Connectivity won’t be an issue either, with support for Wi-Fi, ensuring that players have everything they need to dive into the universe of Nintendo gaming.
