The new year is officially here, and for Animal Crossing: New Horizons fans, 2026 is already shaping up to be a big one. Nintendo has confirmed that a brand-new update is coming this year, and even better, we’re now less than two weeks away from the long-awaited 3.0 update.
In the lead-up to launch, Nintendo has quietly started rolling out new artwork, marketing materials, and even a few screenshots that most players haven’t noticed yet.
A New Year, a New Official Artwork (With 3.0 Teases)
Nintendo has continued one of its favorite traditions: releasing a special piece of official New Year artwork to celebrate the start of the year. Even during years without major updates, this tradition has remained intact, and 2026 is no exception.
This year’s artwork feels extra meaningful because it includes subtle nods to the upcoming 3.0 update.
Front and center, we see Tom Nook and Isabelle celebrating inside Resident Services, joined by Timmy and Tommy. Around them are familiar villagers like Julian, Flurry, and Ketchup.
But the real surprise appears in the background: Mr. Resetti, maracas in hand, joining the New Year celebration. His inclusion is a clear tease, since he plays a meaningful role in the 3.0 update.
It’s a small detail, but one longtime fans immediately noticed and loved.
Seeing this year’s image also highlights how much the game has evolved. Nintendo has used these artworks almost like time capsules:
- 2025 featured holiday decorations and a cozy winter vibe
- 2024 spotlighted the Able Sisters in one of the most detailed official illustrations yet
- 2023 focused on fireworks and summer celebrations
- 2022 looked back at the original 2.0 update era
- 2021 marked the early days of New Horizons itself
The 2026 artwork now joins that timeline, capturing exactly what players are excited about right now: the upcoming 3.0 update.
In-Store Marketing Materials Are Back (And That’s a Big Deal)
Another surprising development is the return of physical marketing displays in game stores.
A post shared by Tokyo Game Life revealed a small in-store display and preorder box for the Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. While Nintendo did some marketing for earlier updates, this level of in-store promotion hasn’t been seen since the game’s original launch era in 2019–2020.
The display includes:
- Box art for the Switch 2 edition
- Artwork and screenshots from the 3.0 update
- Visual highlights of new items and characters
- A QR code linking to official update details
While the screenshots themselves aren’t completely new, seeing Nintendo push physical marketing again strongly suggests how important this update is to them.
Even more interesting: some regions, including South Korea, are offering pre-order bonuses, hinting that we may hear more about regional exclusives soon.
Quietly Released: New 3.0 Screenshots on the English Website
One of the most overlooked announcements is the launch of an official English 3.0 update website.
Nintendo heavily promoted the Japanese version earlier, which revealed many features not shown in the original trailer. But the English site, barely mentioned anywhere, includes exclusive screenshots that haven’t been widely discussed online.
These screenshots focus on one of the most intriguing new features: tourist characters visiting your island.
From the newly discovered screenshots, we learn several important details about tourists in the 3.0 update:
- Tourists initially appear with the label “Tourist”
- Once you talk to them and learn their name, that label updates
- They behave like normal villagers, relaxing under trees, wandering, and interacting with the environment
- They can visit locations like the museum and Nook’s Cranny 2
In one example, a tourist named Simon is shown casually lounging under a palm tree, making the island feel more alive and dynamic than ever before.
The big unanswered question remains: can tourists become permanent residents? Nintendo hasn’t confirmed this yet, but many players are hopeful—and answers should come once the update launches.
Limited-Time Switch Icons for the 3.0 Update
Starting January 6, Nintendo is releasing special Kapp’n family and Tom Nook profile icons through the Nintendo Switch Online service.
These icons:
- Celebrate the upcoming 3.0 update
- Are only available from January 6 to February 3
- Can be used to customize your Switch profile
If you like collecting limited-time cosmetics, or just want your profile to match the hype. This is one thing you won’t want to miss.
What Comes Next?
With the update now just days away, this likely won’t be the last batch of news. More screenshots, details, and surprises are expected as we get closer to release day.
For now, though, this update cycle already feels different. Between the official artwork, physical store marketing, quietly released screenshots, and limited-time icons, Nintendo is clearly treating the 3.0 update as something special.
If this is only the beginning, the next few weeks are going to be very exciting for Animal Crossing: New Horizons fans.
