Summary:
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0.0 (released January 14, 2026) lands with the kind of upgrades that quietly change how every normal day on the island feels. We’re not talking about one flashy gimmick that’s fun for an hour and then fades. This update focuses on the little moments that used to add up into friction, like crafting one item at a time, running back and forth to grab materials, and juggling menus that didn’t always remember what we were trying to do. Now we can craft up to 10 items at once if we’ve got the materials, and those materials can come straight from home storage. That alone turns a once-slow routine into something that actually matches the pace of our ideas.
We also get smarter tracking inside the DIY Recipes app, including a dedicated place to check hotel DIY requests and items Tom Nook asks for as we move forward. Nook Shopping becomes more flexible too, with Pocket Camp-linked items always orderable and Super Mario Bros. items available without Nintendo Account linking. Beyond that, there’s a stack of small but meaningful changes: movement improvements outdoors, options to restore original island choices like the flag, bulk purchasing for Customization Kits, more items sellable at the drop-off box, and a guaranteed Pearl from Pascal each time we hand over a scallop. Even Leif’s weed removal service becomes more practical thanks to a lower fee. Add in new tips, more Nook Miles tasks, and a couple of Switch 2 and NookLink fixes, and we’ve got an update that treats our time like it matters.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0.0 – Crafting finally feels fast again
Crafting has always been one of those “love it, but…” parts of island life. We love making things, we love seeing a plan come together, and we love that DIY gives the island personality. The “but” was the pace. Doing the same button presses over and over could make even a fun project feel like folding laundry. Ver. 3.0.0 addresses that in two ways that work together: we can craft up to 10 items at once if we have enough materials, and we can use items in home storage as DIY materials. That combo is the real magic trick. It means we can think big without turning our pockets into a messy toolbox, and we can actually follow inspiration when it hits. Want to build a set of hedges, fences, or gifts for villagers? We can do it in one smooth session instead of ten tiny interruptions. It’s the difference between cooking one noodle at a time and finally being allowed to use a pot.
Batch crafting up to 10 items changes the rhythm
Batch crafting might sound like a small toggle, but it changes how we plan projects. Instead of crafting one fish bait, one fence segment, or one stackable item at a time, we can queue up to 10 and let the game respect our momentum. That’s especially helpful when we’re in a “let’s finish this today” mood, because the island is full of tasks that multiply fast. A bridge build can turn into crafting, decorating, customizing, then crafting again. With batch crafting, we spend less time repeating the same motions and more time actually shaping the island. It also makes resource management easier because we can think in tidy chunks. Ten is a clean number, and the update makes it feel like Nintendo finally looked at how people actually play and said, “Yeah, that’s fair.”
Home storage as DIY materials is the pocket saver we needed
Using home storage as DIY materials is the kind of change that makes you wonder how we lived without it. Before, we had to pull materials out, clog pockets, walk to a workbench, craft, then put leftovers back. It was like taking every ingredient out of a fridge, placing it on the floor, making a sandwich, and then returning everything one by one. Now, crafting can draw from storage directly, which means our pockets can stay free for the things that happen naturally while playing, like picking up shells, gifts, or surprise finds. It also encourages bigger creative sessions. We can switch between recipes without doing the storage shuffle, and that makes decorating and building feel more playful. Less admin, more imagination – that’s the vibe.
DIY Recipes gets smarter as we progress
The DIY Recipes app has always been a good idea, but Ver. 3.0.0 makes it feel more like a real planner instead of just a list. The update adds a page where we can check hotel DIY requests and items requested by Tom Nook as we progress. That matters because requests are easy to forget when the island distracts us every ten seconds with something shiny. One minute we’re heading to Resident Services, the next we’re chasing a balloon, and suddenly the day is gone. A dedicated place to review requests means we can hop back into a longer-term task without rummaging through memory like it’s a junk drawer. It also helps players who like structure. If you’re the type who enjoys setting goals and knocking them out, this makes the app feel like it’s finally on your team.
Tracking hotel DIY requests keeps projects from slipping
Hotel DIY requests can easily become “I’ll do that later” tasks, and we all know what “later” means on an island with unlimited side quests. Having a clear spot in the app to check those requests means we can plan a crafting session around them instead of stumbling into them. It’s also nice for pacing. We can collect materials during normal play, then do a focused build session when we feel like it, without having to stop and ask, “Wait, what did the hotel want again?” The result is less backtracking and more satisfying follow-through. It’s like having a sticky note that doesn’t fall off the fridge.
Tom Nook’s requested items are easier to manage
Tom Nook’s requests tend to arrive at moments when we’re already juggling a dozen other priorities, and that’s not a knock on him. He’s basically running a whole island while also politely pretending we’re not the one doing most of the labor. The new tracking page makes his requests easier to keep in view as we progress, which is especially helpful when tasks span multiple days or require materials we don’t have immediately. Instead of guessing, we can check the app, set a plan, and move forward with confidence. That reduces the “did we already do this?” feeling that can sneak in when we play in short sessions. It also makes progression feel smoother because we’re less likely to forget a step and stall out.
Nook Shopping changes that reduce friction
Nook Shopping is one of the most satisfying parts of the game because it feeds that fun “I’m curating my island’s vibe” feeling. Ver. 3.0.0 makes ordering more straightforward in two notable ways: items obtained by linking with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp can now always be ordered from Nook Shopping, and Super Mario Bros. items can now be ordered from Nook Shopping without linking to a Nintendo Account. Both changes have the same theme – fewer hoops. When something is already part of our world, it should be easy to access again. That’s especially true for collaboration items, because those are often the ones we want to reuse across different builds. This update treats those items as part of our regular toolset instead of a special-case headache.
Pocket Camp items become reliably reorderable
Making Pocket Camp-linked items always orderable is a stability upgrade. Players who have those items want to use them like any other furniture set, meaning reordering should be as normal as buying a lamp. With Ver. 3.0.0, we don’t have to worry about whether a past link moment still controls access. We can just plan. That’s great for seasonal redecorating too, because many players rotate themes throughout the year. If you’ve ever built a space, torn it down, and later thought, “Why didn’t I keep that piece?” then you know the value of easy reordering. This reduces regret and encourages experimentation, which is basically the heart of island creativity.
Super Mario Bros. items without account linking keeps it simple
Super Mario Bros. items are classic island flavor, and now ordering them without linking to a Nintendo Account removes a weird barrier between us and playful decoration. It’s a practical change that also feels welcoming. Not everyone wants to fuss with account steps just to place a coin block or a pipe in their yard. With Ver. 3.0.0, these items feel more like standard catalog options, which means we can treat them as building blocks for themed areas, photo spots, or just silly jokes around the island. Sometimes we want serious design, and sometimes we want a warp pipe next to the museum because it makes us laugh. Both are valid.
Movement and island feel improvements outdoors
Movement tweaks are easy to overlook until you feel them. Ver. 3.0.0 adds a simple but meaningfuland very practical option: while outdoors on an island, holding down the L Button allows us to move while facing the same direction. That’s a small control change with a big quality payoff. It helps with positioning during decorating, lining up interactions, and navigating tight spaces without constantly swiveling. If you’ve ever tried to place items in just the right spot and felt like your character had a mind of their own, this is the update quietly nodding at your frustration. It gives us more control without adding complexity, which is the sweet spot. It’s like finally getting a shopping cart that doesn’t pull to the left.
Holding L to move while facing forward makes placement calmer
This control option is especially useful when we’re adjusting spaces outdoors. When you’re refining a path, aligning furniture, or interacting with multiple objects in a small area, consistent facing direction reduces misclicks and accidental interactions. It also makes movement feel more intentional, which fits the relaxing tone of the game. We’re not trying to speedrun the island, we’re trying to make it feel right. This helps with that, because it takes away the tiny annoyances that can break the calm. It’s the difference between tiptoeing around a carefully set table and bumping into it like you’re wearing clown shoes. We’ve all had those moments. Now we get a little more grace.
Resident Services tweaks that respect our originals
Resident Services is where the island’s identity gets formalized, so the best upgrades there are the ones that give us flexibility without erasing what made our island feel like ours in the first place. Ver. 3.0.0 adds recommended melodies when changing the island tune, including the original island tune, and it also lets us revert the island flag to the original design from when the island was created. These are thoughtful changes because they acknowledge a real player behavior: we experiment, we try new things, and sometimes we realize the original had a charm we didn’t appreciate until we changed it. Now we can explore without fear of losing that baseline. It’s like repainting a room and realizing, “Wait, the old color was kind of perfect.” Now we can switch back without drama.
Isabelle’s suggested melodies make island tunes less intimidating
Island tunes can be adorable, but not everyone wants to become a part-time composer. Isabelle offering recommended melodies, including the original, helps players who want a quick option that still feels fitting. It also encourages experimentation, because suggestions reduce the fear of picking something that sounds weird in practice. Tunes are heard often, so it’s normal to want something pleasant and familiar. This change supports both types of players: the musical tinkerers who still want references, and the “please just give me something cute” crowd. Either way, it saves time and makes the tune screen feel more friendly. Isabelle basically becomes your musical safety net, and honestly, that feels on brand for her.
Reverting the island flag lets us undo creative regret
Flags are emotional. That sounds dramatic, but they’re one of the first identity markers we set, and we see them everywhere. The ability to revert to the original flag design is a great “undo button” for anyone who experimented and later missed their starting vibe. It’s also helpful for players returning after a long break. Sometimes you come back, see your current flag, and think, “Who was I when I made this?” Now we can restore the original without needing to recreate it manually. That keeps island history intact, and it makes the game feel more forgiving. Creativity is better when it’s safe to change your mind.
Buying and selling gets less fiddly
Ver. 3.0.0 improves the everyday economy in ways that reduce repetitive menu work. We can now purchase up to 50 Customization Kits at once from Nook’s Cranny, and several items, including Snowflakes, can now be sold at the drop-off box at Nook’s Cranny. These are the kinds of changes that don’t look flashy in a bullet list, but they add up fast over a week of play. Customization Kits are a staple for decorators, and buying them in small amounts always felt oddly slow. The drop-off box improvement also matters because it supports flexible play schedules. Not everyone can pop in during shop hours, and it’s frustrating to have pockets full of seasonal items that can’t be sold when you’re ready. This update makes the island feel more accommodating, like it’s meeting us where we are instead of forcing a strict routine.
Buying 50 Customization Kits at once supports big decorating sessions
Customization is where a lot of the island’s personality lives, and Kits are the fuel for that creativity. Being able to buy up to 50 at once is perfect for players who decorate in waves. You know the mood: you start by tweaking one chair, and three hours later you’ve redesigned half the neighborhood. Bulk buying means we can stock up once and stay in the creative flow. It’s also helpful for returning players who want to refresh their island quickly. Instead of multiple shop trips and repeated dialog, we can handle it in one clean purchase. That might not sound exciting, but when you’re mid-project, it feels like someone quietly cleared the clutter off your desk.
Selling more items at the drop-off box helps late-night island life
The drop-off box is a lifesaver for anyone who plays outside normal hours, and expanding what it accepts makes it even better. The note that several items, including Snowflakes, can now be sold there is especially useful during seasonal periods when inventory fills up fast. If you’ve ever been on a productive run collecting seasonal materials and then realized you can’t sell them yet, you know the feeling. Your pockets start looking like a junk drawer, and your momentum slows. With this change, we can keep playing the way we want and still tidy up our inventory when it suits us. It’s a small respect-your-time upgrade, and those are often the best kind.
Pascal, scallops, and the new steady Pearl reward
Pascal has always been one of the island’s most charming encounters, showing up with his chill philosophy and a trade offer that feels like a tiny ritual. Ver. 3.0.0 makes that ritual more consistent by guaranteeing that we will receive a Pearl every time we give a scallop to Pascal. That’s a meaningful shift because Pearls are valuable for crafting, and previously the reward could vary. A guaranteed Pearl makes planning easier. If you want to work toward mermaid-themed crafting, you can do it with a clear path instead of hoping the random reward cooperates. It also makes diving feel more purposeful, especially for players who enjoy steady progress. There’s something satisfying about a reliable exchange. Find scallop, meet Pascal, get Pearl, repeat. It’s like a little island economy of good vibes, and now it’s more dependable.
Guaranteed Pearls make mermaid crafting feel achievable
When a resource is inconsistent, people either grind harder or give up. Neither is very relaxing. By making Pearls a sure reward from Pascal when we hand over a scallop, the game encourages a calm routine instead of a stressful chase. You can decide how many Pearls you want, roughly how many scallops you need, and then go diving with a simple goal. That’s a healthier loop for a cozy game. It also makes Pascal’s visit feel like a clear win rather than a gamble. And let’s be honest, Pascal already acts like he’s giving you wisdom that’s priceless. Now he backs it up with something you can actually craft with.
Leif’s weed removal becomes a real option
Weeds are funny because they’re both a vibe and a problem. A few weeds can make an area look natural and lived-in, like a secret garden. Too many weeds can make the island feel neglected, especially if you’ve been away for a while. Ver. 3.0.0 improves Leif’s weed removal service in ways that make it more practical: we can ask Leif to remove weeds when there are 30 or more weeds on the island, either on Harv’s Island or during his visits, and the fee for that service has been reduced. This is a great quality upgrade for returning players. If you’ve ever come back after a break and felt overwhelmed by cleanup, this helps you get back to the fun parts faster. It doesn’t remove the option to do it yourself, but it offers a helpful shortcut when you need it.
The weed threshold and request locations make the service predictable
Knowing there’s a clear threshold, 30 or more weeds, makes the service feel structured instead of vague. It also lets us decide when we want help. If you like pulling weeds as a relaxing task, you can keep doing that. If you’re staring at a weed takeover and thinking, “I just wanted to check my mailbox,” you can call in Leif once the island hits the threshold. The fact that we can request this on Harv’s Island or during Leif’s visits is also convenient. It ties the service to places we already visit as part of normal play. That keeps the feature from feeling hidden, and it makes it easier to remember when we actually need it.
A reduced fee shifts the decision from painful to practical
Lowering the fee is what turns this from a luxury into a real option. If a service is too expensive, players avoid it until they’re desperate, and then it feels bad either way. With a reduced fee, weed removal becomes something we can use as part of island maintenance, especially after busy weeks or long breaks. It’s like hiring a cleaner for a reset, not because you can’t do it yourself, but because you want your weekend back. The emotional benefit matters too. Returning to a tidy island makes it easier to reconnect with the game, and that’s a big deal for anyone who fell off and wants to return without guilt.
Island Life 101 and Nook Miles keep us nudged forward
Ver. 3.0.0 also adds new tips to the Island Life 101 app and includes additional Nook Miles tasks alongside the new features. These changes support the way many people play Animal Crossing: in small daily sessions where gentle direction helps. New tips can highlight features players might miss, especially after an update with lots of quality changes. Additional Nook Miles tasks also keep progression feeling lively, because tasks act like little prompts that turn “what should we do today?” into a clear plan. For newer players, this can reduce decision fatigue. For returning players, it can refresh routines and encourage trying features they previously ignored. It’s a simple loop, but it works because it respects different play styles. Some days we want to terraform for hours. Other days we just want a cozy checklist and a small reward.
New tips help returning players spot what changed
When an update adds many small improvements, it’s easy to miss the ones that would help you most. New tips in Island Life 101 can act like friendly reminders, pointing out features that reduce friction. That’s especially helpful for players returning after a long break, because memory gets fuzzy. You remember your villagers, your house layout, your favorite fishing spots, but you might not remember every menu path. Tips reduce that ramp-up time. They also help players who don’t follow gaming news closely and just discover updates by accident. The island becomes the messenger, which fits the game’s tone. It’s like the island gently saying, “Hey, we made this easier for you.”
Additional Nook Miles tasks pair nicely with the new routines
More Nook Miles tasks create more variety in daily play, and pairing them with new features helps players naturally test what’s new. Tasks can encourage us to try the improved crafting flow, explore updated shopping options, or engage with island maintenance systems like Leif’s service. The best part is that it doesn’t feel like a tutorial. It feels like motivation. Nook Miles has always been good at turning small actions into satisfying progress, and expanding the task list keeps that system fresh. If you’ve ever logged in without a plan, saw a task, and thought, “Sure, why not,” then you already know how effective these little nudges can be.
Nintendo Switch 2 and NookLink touch-ups
Finally, Ver. 3.0.0 includes a couple of platform and app-side improvements that round out the update. On Nintendo Switch 2 specifically, the update fixes an issue where the startup sound for Nook Shopping on the smartphone would not play correctly. It’s a small fix, but these details contribute to polish. On the NookLink side, the Nintendo Switch App gets new Island Newspaper articles, and the Catalog supports new items added in Ver. 3.0.0. For players who use the app features, these updates matter because they keep the companion experience aligned with what’s happening in-game. It’s also a sign of ongoing support, not just a one-and-done drop. Even when the changes are subtle, they help the whole ecosystem feel consistent, and consistency is what makes returning to the island feel like coming home.
The Switch 2 startup sound fix is small, but polish matters
Audio cues are part of the game’s personality, and when they break, the experience can feel oddly hollow. Fixing the startup sound for Nook Shopping on the smartphone for Switch 2 players is a tidy quality correction that restores that familiar feedback. It’s not the kind of change that transforms gameplay, but it’s the kind that supports comfort. Animal Crossing is built on tiny sensory moments – sounds, visuals, little reactions. When those work properly, the island feels alive. When they don’t, something feels off even if you can’t explain it. This fix is Nintendo tightening a loose screw, and we’ll feel it every time we open that menu.
NookLink’s Island Newspaper and Catalog updates keep the companion app relevant
Adding new articles to the Island Newspaper and updating the Catalog to support new Ver. 3.0.0 items helps NookLink stay useful instead of drifting behind the main game. Players who like checking info outside the console, tracking items, or browsing the Catalog benefit from having the app reflect the current version properly. It’s also helpful for planning. When you’re thinking about a room redesign or a themed area, being able to reference items and keep up with updates makes the experience smoother. It’s not required to enjoy the island, but for players who use it, it’s like having an extra pocket notebook that finally has the latest pages.
Conclusion
Ver. 3.0.0 feels like Nintendo looked at the everyday routines of island life and decided to make them kinder. Batch crafting and crafting from storage remove two of the biggest time sinks, and that alone changes how creative sessions feel. The DIY Recipes tracking improvements support steady progress without forcing us to remember everything, while Nook Shopping updates make collaboration items easier to use like normal furniture. Movement tweaks add control where it matters, Resident Services changes protect the island’s original identity, and the buying and selling upgrades reduce menu grind. Then we’ve got the feel-good extras: guaranteed Pearls from Pascal, a more practical weed removal service from Leif, and fresh nudges through Island Life 101 and Nook Miles tasks. Even the Switch 2 and NookLink fixes reinforce a sense of polish. If you’ve ever loved your island but felt slowed down by small annoyances, this update is basically the island handing you a warm drink and saying, “Relax, we’ve got you.”
FAQs
- How do we craft up to 10 items at once in Ver. 3.0.0?
- When we select a DIY recipe at a workbench, we can choose to craft in a batch of up to 10 as long as we have enough materials available. It’s built to speed up repeat crafting like bait, fences, and stackable DIY items.
- Do we really not need materials in our pockets anymore to craft?
- Yes. Ver. 3.0.0 lets us use items stored in home storage as DIY materials, so we can craft without pulling everything out first. It keeps pockets free for normal exploring and collecting.
- Where do we check hotel DIY requests and Tom Nook’s requested items?
- The DIY Recipes app now includes a dedicated page where we can check hotel DIY requests and items requested by Tom Nook as we progress, making it easier to stay organized during longer projects.
- What changed with Pascal and Pearls?
- Ver. 3.0.0 guarantees that we receive a Pearl every time we give a scallop to Pascal. That makes Pearl collection more predictable for anyone working toward mermaid-themed crafting.
- How does Leif’s weed removal work now?
- We can ask Leif to remove weeds when there are 30 or more weeds on the island, either on Harv’s Island or during his visits, and the fee has been reduced. It’s a practical reset option for busy weeks or long breaks.
Sources
- How to Update Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo Support, January 14, 2026
- New Horizons – Free update version 3.0, Nintendo, January 2026
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update 3.0.0 Patch Notes, Nintendo Life, January 2026
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons version 3.0.0 update has added more improvements, Video Games Chronicle, January 2026
- Animal Crossing’s 3.0 update dropped a little early, The Verge, January 2026
