Animal Crossing New Horizons’ 2.0 update has launched early

Here’s how to get The Roost on your island and everything else you need to know

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Let’s face it, Animal Crossing New Horizons was there for us when we needed it most. Released just days before the entire world was engulfed in a killer pandemic and we were confined to our houses, the cute island getaway sim gave us the escapism we so sorely needed. 19 months on, ACNH’s active player count is thinning, and Nintendo are still giving us regular updates to keep us interested. Well, for now.

What is the 2.0 update in New Horizons?

This is the update we’ve all been waiting for and the biggest yet. A collection of both beloved Animal Crossing characters, and even some brand-new ones, will be introduced to New Horizons for the first time. There are also new items and new places to visit. However, it will be the last free update to Animal Crossing New Horizons. Ever. At least they’re going out with a bang.

The update was always advertised as being released on November 5th, 2021. However, Switch owners across the globe spotted the update was live as early as the evening of November 3rd. Now, it seems all players can get this day-early access to version 2.0.

How to get Brewster and The Roost

Any long-term fans of the franchise will be well aware of Brewster and his coffee shop, and the fanbase has been begging for him to join ACNH for some time. Well, this is it. Update 2.0 flies Brewster and his coffee shop, The Roost, to your island, as well as a whole bunch of other exciting new additions that almost make the game feel like new all over again.

If you’re a coffee fan like us, you’ll have already found ways to get your daily caffeine fix on your island. There are plenty of ways to build your own coffee shop, either inside or al fresco, using the likes of the customisable Stall, the Menu Chalkboard and even fashion items to dress you character or your islanders as professional-looking Baristas. But it’s just never quite the same.

Now, by talking to Blathers after the update, you can get Brewster to set up shop on the first floor of your museum. Not only can you grab your daily cup of joe, but you also invite friends and islanders to drink with you in the new cosy coffee shop.

Kapp’n adds a new way to get off the island

When you grow a little tired of your beautiful, exotic island getaway (can’t compute), you have the opportunity to get off the island and visit… another island. This is nothing new to ACNH, but the introduction of Kapp’n gives you another way to travel, sailing off with Kapp’n as he serenades you with animalese sea shanties.

Kapp’n’s Boat Tours are a step up from the mystery tours you’re used to, as you may find yourself on a beautiful island filled with mysterious new flora, or even in a completely different season to the one back home. This will give you the opportunity to gather items and even collect fish and bugs that you might otherwise not be able to get.

Isabelle’s Island Ordinances

You are now also able to involve your islanders in the upkeep of your island like never before. By talking to Isabelle and selecting an Island Ordinance rule, you will be able to change the way your island operates. There are four different Ordinance types:

Beautiful Island

Ever logged on to an island full of weeds and roaches in your home? Of course you have, who hasn’t? Well, that’s all in the past with the Beautiful Island Ordinance, which invites your islanders to clear up the island when you’re not around. Super handy.

Bell Boom Island

Bell Boom is basically just capitalism and inflation in play. The prices you and your friends get for selling items on your island goes up, but then so does the amount things cost in the first place.

Early Bird Island

If you find you predominantly log into your game once all the shops have shut for the night or long before they open in the morning, one of these last two Ordinance rules might be for you. The Early Bird Island option requests your shop owners to open their businesses earlier in the morning…

Night Owl Island

..while the Night Owl option does the opposite, and your businesses will stay open later at night. These two rules will also affect the schedules of your island residents, as they will either get up earlier or stay out later.

You will only be able to use one of these at a time, though, so it still won’t make it too easy on you.

Find out more about the other new additions coming to version 2.0, including new farming mechanics and cooking recipes, in our original article about the update.

How to download the Animal Crossing New Horizons update

You might have automatic updates enabled on your Switch, in which case you should find that Animal Crossing New Horizons will update without any intervention. However, because of the early launch, you might need to give it a little push in the right direction. Head to ACNH in your games list and press the + button on your right joy con. From the menu that appears, go to Software Update and select Via the Internet. This will search the ol’ world wide web for update 2.0, and push it into action.

What’s next for Animal Crossing New Horizons?

While this may be the last free update to Animal Crossing New Horizons, it’s certainly a meaty one. There’s so much to keep us busy for some time yet. And, on top of that, the key is the word “free,” as there is the paid-for DLC coming soon as well. Happy Homes brings even more additional content to ACNH, in which you travel to other islands to provide your excellent interior design skills to those who need it.

Happy Home is available to pre-order now on the Nintendo eShop, and is also free for owners of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.