Overview
- Nintendo Switch 2 developer Takuhiro Dohta has indicated that the system transfer process will facilitate the movement of Animal Crossing: New Horizons data.
- Game save data will largely remain unchanged during the transition from the original Switch to Switch 2.
- Following the transfer, the original Switch will no longer have access to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons island data.
In a recent interview, a Nintendo executive confirmed that players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons can seamlessly transfer their islands from the original Switch to the Switch 2. However, it’s important to note that all data associated with the game, particularly island details and saved progress, will be erased from the source Switch after the transfer is executed.
Initially launched in March 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons found its audience during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The game quickly became a virtual gathering spot for friends and families to connect, celebrate events like graduations, and host milestone occasions. Despite not having major updates since November 2022, it has achieved remarkable sales success, standing as the second-best-selling title on the Nintendo Switch, with over 47.44 million copies sold by February 2025. In comparison, the best-selling game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, has surpassed 67.35 million units sold.
Although the Animal Crossing franchise was not featured in the Nintendo Direct on April 2, players can transfer their hard-earned progress to Switch 2. According to Takuhiro Dohta, players can expect that while the original Switch will retain most save data, the island data will be transferred to the new console, reflecting everything exactly as it was.
System Transfers for Animal Crossing: New Horizons Users
The transfer process will be straightforward, requiring no additional applications or cloud saves. However, players wishing to trade in their original Switch for a Switch 2 must note that the transfer process necessitates the devices to be in proximity to each other.
Players should also ensure that there is enough storage space on the Switch 2, which offers a robust built-in capacity of 256GB. In addition to direct transfers, players can utilize the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Island Transfer app to migrate their islands between different original Switch models, such as from a Switch Lite to a Switch OLED. Another option involves utilizing Cloud Save data in conjunction with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, although this may require additional steps, like contacting Nintendo for safe data retrieval.
At this point, it is uncertain whether the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Island Transfer app will be compatible with the Switch 2. There is currently no dedicated Switch 2 Edition of the game, but transferring an island should remain a relatively straightforward task for players enhancing their gaming experience.