The Animal Crossing series is well known to all fans of the Nintendo cult. And for those who are about to become fans, here’s a brief introduction:
Animal Crossing is a simulation where you become a resident of a village inhabited by various friendly characters from the animal world. In addition to standard interactions with other residents, you will engage in fishing, catching bugs, crafting various items, from tools to furniture. You will complete various tasks to help other residents, and thus the village itself.
What sets this game apart from similar ones is that it is a Real-Time simulation, meaning that time passes just like in real life. Days change according to the clock connected to the system you are playing on, so when it’s dark outside, it’s dark in the game too. When it’s summer outside, it’s summer in the game. All holidays and special dates are linked to the real calendar.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the second best-selling game on the original Switch, right behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so it’s no surprise that Nintendo decided to make a Switch 2 version of the game. For those who already have it on the original Switch, upgrading to the S2 version costs €5, and if you don’t have it, that pleasure will cost you €65.

Now, considering that a free 3.0 patch for the original version was released simultaneously with the S2 version, which provides numerous upgrades, I won’t go into details about the game itself, but I will explain what you actually get with the 3.0 version and what with the Switch 2 version.

So, the most important additions in the 3.0 version are:

- Resort Hotel - you will be able to try your hand at interior design, as your task will be to decorate guest rooms according to specific themes
- Resetti's Reset Service - Resetti is a mole who will help you remove unnecessary furniture, ladders, fences for a certain fee; and if you wish, he will remove everything you have built and put it in your storage so you can start building from scratch
- increased storage from 5000 to 9000 units, and the ability to build directly from it without carrying all the materials with you
- Dream World - gives you the ability to create Slumber Islands in your dreams, islands that you can decorate as you wish, and your friends can help you with that
- within the game, you have the option to unlock and purchase retro Nintendo consoles, toys, and NES and GameBoy games
- 20 LEGO products that you can buy to decorate your house or island
- Zelda and Splatoon themed products, as well as Amiibo functionality

What you get with the Switch 2 version:

- Megaphone - using the built-in microphone on the console, you can easily call the resident you are looking for by name, and the game will show you which direction they are in
- 4k resolution in docked mode but the framerate is limited to 30fps, and improved graphics in handheld mode
- mouse control - Switch 2 has the ability to use one joy-con as a mouse, which greatly facilitates furniture placement and decorating
- multiplayer supporting up to 12 players online (but everyone must have the Switch 2 version)
- GameChat multiplayer - you can use the built-in microphone to chat with friends while playing, and if you also have a camera, you can stream your face above your character in the game

Now, whether it's worth the extra €5, I'm not sure. If you are already playing on the original Switch, I don't see the need to switch to the Switch 2 version, as the best features are already available to you for free.

A copy of the Switch 2 version for review purposes was provided by the distributor CD Media