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Physical game fans watch out, Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 pre-orders are here

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New Horizons Switch 2 Edition launches on January 15

Image of the Animal Crossing New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition UK and US boxes on a pink GamesRadar+ background.
(Image credit: Future/Nintendo)
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Quick Pre-order

A screenshot of Isabelle doing the daily announcements on an Island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(Image credit: Nintendo)

US: Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | $64.99 at Best Buy

UK: Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | £47.85 at ShopTo

Almost exactly six years since it landed on the original handheld, Animal Crossing New Horizons is getting a Switch 2 coat of paint, and you can pre-order your copy right now at US and UK retailers ahead of its January 15, 2026 release date.

If you missed out on the latest game in the series, which the entire world was fixated upon back in 2020 when the world fell apart, you can see what you were missing by pre-ordering Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition for $64.99 (Best Buy) or £49.99 at Argos in the UK. Sadly, there are no cute pre-order bonuses with the game, nor is the entire Switch 2 version found on the cart with physical versions, which is a bit of a bummer. Instead, physical game fans can expect to find the Switch game on the cart and a redeemable voucher for the Switch 2 update boxed inside.

Remember, if you already own a copy of New Horizons, you can grab the Switch 2 Upgrade Pack instead for just $4.99 at Nintendo US and £4.19 (Nintendo UK) to get the new content, which includes access to the mouse controls, the new Megaphone item, and support for up to 12 players in online multiplayer and more. For anyone else new to the wonders of New Horizons, I've listed all the US and UK pre-orders down below.

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition Pre-Orders in the US

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | $64.99 at Best Buy

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | $64.99 at Best Buy
Best Buy was one of the first US retailers to list its version of Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition. You can pre-order the game for its full $64.99 price and ensure you get it on release, whether you pick up your copy in person or get it shipped to you online.

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New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | $64.99 at Walmart

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | $64.99 at Walmart
You can also pre-order New Horizons Switch 2 Edition for its full $64.99 MSRP at Walmart today and take advantage of the US retailer's pre-order price guarantee.

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New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | Coming soon at Nintendo

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | Coming soon at Nintendo
Nintendo US hasn't yet onloaded its New Horizons Switch 2 Edition pre-orders. Right now, the product page just shares its upcoming January 15 release date. However, you can at least pre-order the upgrade pack for $4.99 which is better than nothing.

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New Horizons Switch 2 Edition Pre-Orders in the UK

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | £47.85 at ShopTo

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | £47.85 at ShopTo
ShopTo remains the cheapest option for UK Switch 2 owners, as they have Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition pre-orders available for as little as £47.85, saving you £7.14 off the full £54.99 MSRP.

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New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | £49.99 at TheGameCollection

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | £49.99 at TheGameCollection
If getting the new Switch 2 version of the game for as little as possible is your main priority, you can also grab a copy of New Horizons Switch 2 Edition for £49.95 at TheGameCollection. It's just 5p less than the price at most UK retailers, but even that tiny saving can go a long way.

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New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | £54.99 at Nintendo

New Horizons Switch 2 Edition | £54.99 at Nintendo
Nintendo UK was one of the first retailers to get its New Horizons Switch 2 Edition pre-orders up, but it also happens to be the priciest I've found the upcoming game for so far. If you prefer to get all your Switch 2 games straight from Ninty itself, you can grab it for its full £54.99 price, but just know, there's sadly no funky pre-order bonuses for this new release.

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New Horizons Switch 2 Edition FAQ

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(Image credit: Nintendo)

When is the Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition release date?

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition launches on January 15, 2026 for the Nintendo Switch 2 for $64.99 / £54.99.

Is the full Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition game on the cart?

No, the full Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition game is not on the cart that comes with physical copies of the game. Instead, physical versions come with the original Switch game cart and a redeemable digital voucher, which includes new, updated Switch 2 features and content.

What's new in Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition?

Grabbing the Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing New Horizons, either via this newly packaged physical copy or just the upcoming Switch 2 upgrade pack, will grant you a new enhanced 4K resolution, making the game look better for Nintendo's latest console. Additionally, this version also comes with new features, including mouse controls, GameChat support, and the ability to play with up to 12 friends at once via online multiplayer.

This version of the game also comes with the new Megaphone item, which allows you to call and find friends when visiting each other's islands, so you can findthem with ease.

Can I just grab the Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack?

If you own an original Switch copy of the game, you can just grab the upgrade pack available for $4.99 at £4.19 at US and UK retailers.

Your original Switch game cart is backwards compatible with the new Nintendo Switch 2, and grabbing the upgrade back will grant you all the enhanced extras that are packaged with this new physical copy. Those of you with a digital copy of New Horizons can also just grab the Switch 2 upgrade pack.

Is the Animal Crossing New Horizons Free update Ver.3.0 exclusive to the Switch 2?

The upcoming Ver.3.0 free New Horizons update which arrives on January 15, the same day at the Switch 2 version of the game, is available for everyone. Whether you own an older Switch and original copy of the game, or you've made the Switch 2 upgrade, you can enjoy the plethora of new content, which includes a new resort hotel ran by Kapp’n’s family, new items and more.

Check out our guide for the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, which is full of some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases and other goodies that you can grab to prepare for diving back into New Horizons. You can also check out best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards if you need more storage for the Switch 2 update for the game.

Rosalie Newcombe
Rosalie Newcombe
Hardware Editor

Ever since I first held a NES controller in my hand I've been obsessed with gaming, and the hardware it runs on. I could hook up a NES and SNES to a telly, without instructions, before I could walk. Even now, nothing is more exciting then taking a console, or handheld, out the box for the first time and setting it up. This obsession transformed into a love of games and game music, which lead to my music degree and dream of becoming the Scottish Nobuo Uematsu. After sharing my love of games through music, I began to share my love through words on sites like TechRadar and iMore. This lead to becoming a Hardware staff writer for PCGamesN, and later the Senior Tech Writer for Dexerto, covering all things Steam Deck, PlayStation and Nintendo. With that experience, I was able to level up as Hardware Editor for GamesRadar+, where I'm still just as Nintendo, PlayStation and gaming tech obsessed as ever.

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