I’m pretty sure we all spent every year after theNintendo Switch’slaunch in 2017 saying “We’ll get a newAnimal Crossingsoon”, only for it to eventually turn up three years later in 2020. Regardless, allow me to confidently say that we’ll get a new Animal Crossing next year.
Go ahead and bookmark this article, ready to throw it back in my face about how I was wrong - it’s not going to surprise me if I am wrong because, well, we’ve been here before. Still, there are a few reasons I believe we’ll see the return of Tom Nook in 2026, and Nintendo would be making a terrible decision not to do so.
What Lies Beyond A New Horizon?
Obviously,Animal Crossing: New Horizonsdid quite well, to say the least. It launched to a wave of popularity, thanks in no small part to an unintentional release window lining up with a certain world-altering event.It was a significant game to the world, and while the next entry hopefully won’t come bundled with a pandemic, the series is carrying more weight than ever before.
To this end, it’s not something that should be shelved for too long. Sure, we don’t want any rushed development, but Pocket Camp Complete isn’t going to hold us over much longer.
Those Horizons Aren’t So New Anymore
Next year will be six years since Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Yes, we’re all old, but also, that’s a significant period for development nowadays.Nintendo doesn’t disclose too much about what their actual developers are doing and which teams handle what, so it’s not surprising that we haven’t heard anything yet, even if the next Animal Crossing is well on its way.
New Leaf and New Horizons were eight years apart, so six years is a reasonable gap for a series that is in a better place than it’s ever been, and one that so many more fans are waiting for.
Not Even A Mention Of New Horizons Is Suspicious
With the reveal of theSwitch 2, we saw a lot of things. Sure, ports of games likeElden RingandCyberpunk 2077are substantial, but the highlight was enhanced versions of titular Nintendo games for this new platform.
Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomwith numerous improvements and new features, andKirby and the Forgotten Landwith a new expansion. It’s a brilliant way to make the jump to the new hardware feel more worthwhile, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons was painfully absent.
No new content. No enhancements. Not even a 120fps 4k Tanuki to put me in debt.
To me, this feels like they don’t want to take any wind out of the sails of a pending Animal Crossing announcement within the fiscal year. Why enhance the old one when they could just put out a new one within the year, right?
By 2026, Everyone Will Be Ready
If you’re like me,you might not even be too bothered about picking up a Switch 2when it launches in June. I’ll get one at some point, sure,but aside from an expensive new Mario Kart, I’m not in a rush to play any titles I can already play on hardware I already have.
But think about it: six months from now, it’s Christmas. The first Christmas for the Nintendo Switch 2. Plenty of time for parents (and me) to save up the money for the new console and for it to become as regular a household item as the original Switch already is.
Then, once everyone has a Switch 2, along comes Tom Nook to take all our Bells. You’re a damn genius, sir.
