Nintendo has recently filed a patent that might offer fans a glimpse into an intriguing feature possibly heading to the next Animal Crossing game. With its popularity soaring, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Animal Crossing: New Horizons captivated gamers worldwide, making the anticipation for a sequel electricity in the air. It’s been half a decade since New Horizons graced our screens, and with a potential new Nintendo console on the horizon, teases about the upcoming installment might emerge sooner rather than later.
As of now, no official announcements have been made about a new Animal Crossing game. Nintendo remains tight-lipped about its plans for games on the anticipated Switch 2, having only confirmed a new Mario Kart. While we’re set to learn more about the Switch 2 in the upcoming months, the recent patent filed by Nintendo could provide some clues about what a future Animal Crossing might entail.
The patent itself presents the idea of a dynamic newspaper generated by events within the game, with illustrations undeniably pointing towards the Animal Crossing universe. It illustrates an ‘Island Newspaper,’ replete with headlines announcing a Halloween celebration and details of various happenings over recent in-game weeks. Talk of shooting stars, the capture of insects, the completion of DIY projects, the establishment of a museum, and more can be found in these newspaper stories.
Although this concept seems tailor-made for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the patent was originally filed in 2024 and only recently published in 2025. This timing suggests that Nintendo may be envisioning this as a feature for the new Animal Crossing game presumably in development for the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2. However, there’s always the possibility that this patent is unrelated to Animal Crossing, as companies often file numerous patents that never see the light in final products. Fans should temper their expectations, knowing this could simply be one of those ideas that remain unused.
Even with the mysteries shrouding the next Animal Crossing installment, one thing remains clear: a new game is an eventuality. Given the immense success and widespread acclaim of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which continues to engage players daily years after its launch, it’s more a question of “when” we will see the next game on the Switch 2, rather than “if.”
