{"id":135765,"date":"2026-01-21T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/#article-196313"},"modified":"2026-01-21T18:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T18:00:00","slug":"opinion-a-big-life-change-means-im-happy-to-wait-for-a-brand-new-animal-crossing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2026\/01\/21\/opinion-a-big-life-change-means-im-happy-to-wait-for-a-brand-new-animal-crossing\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: A Big Life Change Means I’m Happy To Wait For A Brand New Animal Crossing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Animal<\/a>
<\/span> Image: Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Remember when Nintendo called Animal Crossing: New Horizons<\/a>\u2019 2.0 update the final major free update<\/a> to the game? It turns out, a lot can change in four years. And here I am again, back on my tropical island paradise, playing through another big free addition \u2013 and a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition<\/a> of one of my favourite Switch games.<\/p>\n

But wait, what does this mean for Animal Crossing\u2019s future? We\u2019re almost six years into New Horizons\u2019 life with no sign of a new game in the series to come. The announcement back in October 2025<\/a> filled me with a mix of excitement and worry, just like Jim<\/a>, because, yay, more Animal Crossing to lose my life to! But also, oh no, when is the next<\/em> Animal Crossing coming?<\/p>\n

Months later, and after a week of decorating hotel rooms, putting together a LEGO-themed nook in my basement, and contemplating terraforming part of my island all over again, I\u2019m a lot less conflicted. In fact, I\u2019m happy to wait for a brand new Animal Crossing, because in a few years’ time, it might be the perfect game to experience with my daughter.<\/p>\n

\"Animal<\/a>
<\/span> Image: Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes, in 2026, I\u2019m going to become a parent. This has added a whole new layer to how I think about video games. Both my husband and I had parents or relatives who were also into games, who encouraged us to pick up and play and experience the magic of the medium. Now the two of us are talking hypotheticals about which Dragon Quest<\/strong> our child should play first, or how we can use video games to teach her about life and love and empathy.<\/p>\n

I knew I was expecting a child when the 3.0 update and Switch 2 Edition were announced, and I was hit with this strange realisation: New Horizons just seems to be there whenever my life is changing.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t need to remind people of 2020, but I\u2019ve found myself slipping back into the familiar rhythms of island life multiple times: when the DLC<\/a> dropped in 2021, I was looking for a new job; in 2023, I started a brand new island as I was packing up my life to move across the Atlantic. And now I\u2019m back again ahead of parenthood.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s still the perfect reprieve from everything going on in the outside world, but with our impending new addition, it\u2019s made me rethink how I play Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I couldn\u2019t help but recall Roland\u2019s experience with the beginnings of New Horizon with his own child<\/a>, and the prospect of getting to see my daughter\u2019s face as she helps me play through a completely new game is wonderful.<\/p>\n