Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch 2 vs. Original Switch
▼ Summary
– A video comparison highlights the differences between the new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the original Switch version.
– The most significant improvement on the Switch 2 is load times, which are reduced by approximately half.
– The game’s graphics remain untouched and it still runs at 30 frames per second on the new hardware.
– The resolution is improved, running at 1080p in portable mode and 4K when the Switch 2 is docked.
– The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is available now alongside a free 3.0.0 update for all players.
A new side-by-side analysis shows how the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons stacks up against the original Switch version. The most significant upgrade players will notice is a dramatic reduction in loading times. Initial load times and transitions between areas are now roughly twice as fast on the new hardware, making for a much smoother overall experience.
Visually, the core aesthetic remains untouched. The charming, stylized graphics have not received any new textures or effects. A point of contention for some will be the frame rate, which is locked at 30 frames per second on both consoles. However, the resolution sees a substantial boost. When playing in handheld mode, the game now renders at a crisp 1080p, and docking the Switch 2 outputs a native 4K image, providing much sharper detail on compatible displays.
The comparison highlights that this is primarily a performance and resolution update rather than a full visual overhaul. For players deeply invested in their island life, the quicker load times alone may justify revisiting the game on the new platform.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available for the original Nintendo Switch, with the enhanced Switch 2 edition now on sale. This release coincides with a major free update, version 3.0.0, which introduces new content and features for all players across both platforms.
(Source: Nintendo Everything)
