With the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 just around the corner, Nintendo hasn’t waited for update day to start the celebration. Instead, they’ve quietly released a set of official, limited-time goodies that players can grab, both inside the game and through Nintendo services.
Here are the top 3 Nintendo drops you can get right now before ACNH 3.0 launches, plus exactly how to access each one.
1. Official New Year 2026 Designs on Nintendo’s Dream Island
This is easily the most charming surprise.
Nintendo has updated its official Animal Crossing Dream Island for the first time in years, adding brand-new New Year 2026 custom designs that players can collect and use on their own islands.
Many players don’t even realize Nintendo has an official island, so this update caught the community completely off guard.
What You Can Get
These are official custom designs, created and distributed by Nintendo:
- A 2026 New Year sweater
- A matching 2026 beanie hat
- A small New Year flag your character can hold
All designs are winter-themed, cozy, and feature “2026” branding, perfect for seasonal screenshots or just refreshing your character’s look before 3.0 launches.
Even better: older official designs, like the ugly Christmas sweaters released earlier, are still available.
How to Access It
You have two options:
- Visit Nintendo’s official Dream Island via the Dream Suite and save the designs
- Use the Custom Designs Portal at Able Sisters by entering the official design codes
Even though you can’t take furniture from Dream Islands, custom designs are an exception. Once saved, you can wear these items freely on your own island.
This is the first time Nintendo has updated their island with new designs since around 2021, and it strongly signals renewed attention on New Horizons
2. Limited-Time Nintendo Switch Online ACNH Icons
Nintendo has also released exclusive Animal Crossing icons for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers—and they won’t be around for long.
These profile icons are part of Nintendo’s Switch Online rewards system, but this batch is clearly designed to celebrate the 3.0 update specifically.
There are two key icon groups:
January Birthday Icons
As part of the monthly Switch Online rotation, Nintendo released icons for villagers with January birthdays, including fan favorites like Bob (January 1).
These icons:
- Are available only during January (real-time)
- Cannot be unlocked later or via time travel
- Can be customized with different frames and backgrounds
Brand-New 3.0 Celebration Icons
In addition to birthday icons, Nintendo dropped brand-new ACNH icons made specifically for 3.0, featuring:
- Tom Nook
- Kapp’n
- Kapp’n’s family
These characters are central to the 3.0 update, making the icons feel directly tied to what’s coming.
Availability window:
- January 6 → February 3
- Accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online menu
- Works on both original Switch and Switch 2
If you want them, don’t wait. Once this window closes, there’s no guarantee they’ll ever return.
3. New Official Animal Crossing Wallpapers (Desktop & Mobile)
Rounding out the trio is something simple, but surprisingly rare: brand-new official Animal Crossing wallpapers.
Nintendo used to release these frequently back in 2020 (many players used them for Zoom backgrounds), but it’s been a long time since we’ve seen new ones. That makes this drop quietly exciting.
What’s Included
- Desktop wallpapers for computers and laptops
- Mobile wallpapers optimized for phones
- Artwork featuring characters tied to the 3.0 update
These are purely cosmetic, but they’re official, high-quality, and perfect if you want a little Animal Crossing energy outside the game.
How to Get Them
- Download directly from Nintendo’s official channels
- No Switch Online subscription required
- Free to use on any device
It’s a small touch, but it adds to the feeling that Nintendo is once again actively celebrating New Horizons.
Why These Drops Matter (Even If They’re “Just Cosmetics”)
On their own, these items might seem minor. Together, they tell a much bigger story.
- Nintendo is actively promoting Animal Crossing again
- They’re engaging players before 3.0 launches, not just after
- The timing, characters, and themes all align with upcoming 3.0 features
This is the same cozy, community-focused approach Nintendo used during the game’s peak popularity, and it makes the wait for 3.0 feel intentional rather than empty.
