The biggest update to Animal Crossing: New Horizons is releasing this week, and it’s packed with new content and features. For those who have been itching for new things to do in the game or just want an excuse to log back on after being away for a long time, the contents of version 2.0 are sure to keep you busy. And the best part is that it all comes absolutely free.
If you’re feeling a bit out of the loop with everything that’s being added, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything new in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons update that is launching on Nov. 5.
Roost Cafe with Brewster
Brewster has been one of the most highly-requested characters to make a return in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and the v2.0 update brings him back to the series. Brewster the barista will open up a cafe called The Roost in the museum.
You’ll be able to visit this cafe and order a cup of coffee for 200 bells. Other island residents may join you, and you can invite specific ones using an amiibo card. Online friends can also join you for coffee. It’s a great way to relax and hang out after a long day of working hard decorating your island.
Mysterious Islands with Kapp’n
Another beloved character making his return is Kapp’n. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, his role is similar to how it was in Animal Crossing: New Leaf; he will take the player to a mysterious island via his boat, which is stationed on your dock, for 1,000 Nook Miles.
These mysterious islands are a bit different than the ones you can fly to. Not only do they have exclusive materials that can’t be found anywhere else, but they could even have different seasons, weather, and time of day as your own island.
This is a great way to find time-specific materials (such as snowflakes if it’s summertime on your island) and creatures without the need to time travel.
Harv’s Island Renovations
Harv’s Island, which is home to the photography studio, is getting renovated in the 2.0 update. It’ll become a plaza with a variety of shops, but you’ll have to work towards getting them to open.
You’ll be able to contribute bells to open shops for characters like Saharah, Kicks, Reece, Cyrus, Katrina, and Tortimer. Harriet will also be there to teach you new hairstyles. It’s not yet clear how many bells will be needed for these characters to open up their shops or if it will remove them from the rotation of traveling salesmen.
Group Stretching
Remember morning aerobics from the original Animal Crossing game for the GameCube? It’s making a return in the newest update. You’ll be able to go to the plaza to start group stretching with your villagers.
Using either button controls or motion controls, you’ll be able to follow the exercise routine along with the villagers on your island as well as any players who visit online. Special characters such as Brewster may also join in with the stretching.
Town Ordinances
Town ordinances from Animal Crossing: New Leaf are also back. These are special rules you can set for your island depending on your play style preferences that residents on your island will follow.
We already know of four possible ordinances you can choose from: beautiful island ordinance (keeps your town tidy by reducing weeds, eliminating cockroaches, etc.), early bird ordinance (shops open earlier and villagers wake up earlier), night owl ordinance (shops close later and villagers go to sleep later), and bell boom ordinance (shops sell and buy items for increased prices).
New Expansions and Upgrades
There are various expansions that you’ll be able to enjoy in the new update.
House storage can be upgraded three more times, bringing the maximum total from 2,400 to 5,000 items. A storage shed can be purchased to place outside on your island, and when your pockets become full, items can be sent to it automatically. You can also place an Automatic Bell Dispenser on your island to withdraw bells from your bank account wherever you choose.
You’ll be given more options to upgrade the exterior of your home, and you can acquire a pro decorating license to do more things in your house, such as add ceiling decor and one wall accents.
The number of bridges and inclines you can build on your island has been increased from a maximum of eight to 10 of each. Finally, a ladder set-up kit can be purchased in order to place permanent ladders leading up to higher tiers on your island.
Farming and Cooking
The new update will add cooking with DIY recipes. There will be crops you can plant, grow, and harvest, such as tomatoes, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, and carrots.
After collecting enough ingredients, you can combine them into recipes using a kitchen set to make different kinds of foods, like minestrone soup, mushroom salad, veggie sandwiches, and much more. These can be eaten for energy or displayed for the world to see how great of a chef you are.
Updated Camera App
If you love taking pictures of the best-decorated spots around your island, you’ll be glad to know that the camera app on your Nook Phone is being updated in version 2.0.
When changing to handheld camera mode, the view aligns with your eye level, allowing for first-person photo taking. If you change to tripod camera mode, you can also be in the picture, allowing for new angles of photos. These two modes will provide unique ways to take pictures of you and your villagers or your favorite areas of your island.
New Hairstyles and Reactions
There will be new ways to express yourself in Animal Crossing: New Horizons in the version 2.0 update; there will be 11 new hairstyles and 11 new reactions to learn.
You’ll be able to purchase “top fab hairstyles” with Nook Mile Tickets at the Nook Stop in resident services as well as a variety of hairstyles that Harriet will teach you on Harv’s island.
You’ll also be able to learn new reactions such as waving goodbye, stretching, jammin’ to music, listening ears, say cheese, and more.
Island Life 101 App
Another new app will be added to Nook Phones called Island Life 101. This is an app for players who may be new to the game, returning after a long time, or need some guidance about what they should be doing next.
The app offers tips on island living. It will suggest activities you can (or should) do, such as taking Tom Nook’s workshop on customization or visiting dream suite islands. These tips will help players ease into the game.
New KK Slider Songs
KK Slider, who holds live concerts on the plaza each Saturday night, is releasing 12 new songs. You’ll be able to request these songs to listen to his performance and walk away with your very own copy of them to play in record players or music boxes.
Some of his new songs will be called K.K. Break, K.K. Polka, and K.K. Dub. For music lovers, collecting these new KK Slider songs should keep you busy since you can only request one song from him each week.
Gyroids
For the uninitiated, Gyroids are a type of furniture-like item in the Animal Crossing series with a variety of shapes and designs. They make different kinds of sounds and will even dance to music. The 2.0 update is adding Gyroids into the game.
Gyroid fragments can be found buried in the ground similar to fossils. When planted, they will mature into a Gyroid that can be harvested. They can be collected and used as decoration or music items and can even be customized to match a room’s atmosphere.
Tons of New Items
As you probably would expect, a ton of new items will be included in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2.0 update.
Nook’s Cranny will be stocked with brand new items like ceiling decor, a multi-screen computer, and a strange machine, and more. Nine new fence types will be added to the game, and you’ll also be able to customize certain types of fences. Additionally, there will be new types of items to buy using Nook Mile Tickets at the Nook Stop in Resident Services.
There are new items spotted in the background throughout the entire version 2.0 update trailer, so it seems like there will be plenty of things to buy and collect.
New Villagers
There will be 16 new villagers added to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, each of different species and personality types, that you can meet and invite to your island in version 2.0. You can read all about these new villagers and learn how to get them on your island here.
Additionally, there will be new ways to interact with the villagers living on your island. They may invite you over to their house to hang out with them, and they may even make a surprise visit to your own home. This creates more dynamic interactions as your friendship with them grows.
All of these additions to Animal Crossing: New Horizons will become available on Nov. 5 as part of version 2.0, so be sure to update your game to enjoy all of these new features. You can also read all about everything that’s coming to the Animal Crossing New Horizons: Happy Home Paradise DLC, which releases on the same day.
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