Nintendo have just revealed the details of what to expect from the Winter Update in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which will be arriving on November 19th, 2020, plus we finally have the details on how the long-awaited Save Data transfer feature will work in the game.

Check below for the full press releases and video...

Save Data Transfer

Entire Island Transfer

Use this feature if you wish to transfer the entire island and all residents to a new Nintendo Switch system. The island, all progress and customizations, your animal neighbors, the island resident representative, and any other residents that have been created on the island will be transferred.

This feature is helpful if you are replacing your Nintendo Switch system with a new one and all players who have played Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be using the new Nintendo Switch system. It is also the only way to transfer your island resident representative when you have not backed up your island.

You must have access to both the original system and the new system to use this feature.

Resident Move (Single Player Transfer)

Use this feature if you wish to transfer just one resident to a new Nintendo Switch system. The resident, the resident’s home, and most items held by the resident and kept in storage will be transferred to an island on the new Nintendo Switch system. The island resident representative cannot be transferred.

This feature is helpful when just one player wants to continue playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons on a new Nintendo Switch or when multiple residents other than the island resident representative will be using the new Nintendo Switch. The transferred player(s) will move to a new island if there is no existing save data on the new system. If there is already an island populated on the new system, the resident(s) will move to that island. All island progress and animal neighbors will remain on the original Nintendo Switch system.

You must have access to both the original system and the new system to use this feature.

Winter Update

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS WITH SEASONAL ACTIVITIES AND A WINTER UPDATE

17^th November, 2020 – Colder weather may be arriving, but luckily, it’s also ushering in warm holiday cheer in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch. Alongside the auburn-coloured maple leaves that are beginning to drift down from the trees, islands located in the Northern Hemisphere will be visited by tranquil blankets of snow.

On 19^th November, a free update* will arrive for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The update will introduce holiday events and enhancements, giving players new opportunities to connect with friends and family and enjoy island life together with their Animal Crossing: New Horizons residents. The new [TBA] trailer shows what the winter update has to offer.

Special occasions** such as Turkey Day on 26^th November and Toy Day on 24^th December will be added with the new update, delivering holiday experiences that can be enjoyed with others. The winter update*** also brings new Reactions and new hairstyles to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as well as an in-game home item storage expansion upgrade option and save data transfer capabilities.

The following features can all be enjoyed regardless of in-game hemisphere beginning 19^th November:

• Turkey Day – On Turkey Day, which will take place this year on 26^th November, top class chef Franklin will arrive and host a gathering in the plaza. Players can help Franklin collect ingredients to go in the dishes that will be on display in the plaza. Players helping Franklin cook will receive a gift from him. Please note: This event requires the construction of the Resident Services building beforehand.
• Toy Day – It’s the time of the year when island residents rejoice … The month of Toy Day is nearly at hand. Players might notice their island and plaza gradually becoming more festive with holiday-themed decorations over the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for decorated trees, too. Shaking these may drop ornaments which will allow players to craft holiday furniture recipes. From 1^st December to 25^th December, it will be possible to purchase toys from Nook’s Cranny and find holiday-themed clothing at the Able Sisters shop. When it’s officially Toy Day on 24^th December, Jingle will pay a special visit to each island to spread holiday cheer. By helping him deliver presents, players will receive a gift too. Please note: Certain aspects of this event require the construction of the Resident Services building beforehand.
• New Reactions and hairstyles – Nine new Reactions and six new hairstyle options can be acquired by redeeming Nook Miles at the Nook Stop terminal located in Resident Services.
• Home storage limit upgrade – Players who have previously expanded their home to the largest size and have paid off their debt will be able to apply for a further home storage expansion by speaking to Tom Nook at the Resident Services. This will expand the home storage to 2400 slots.
• Visiting random islands in dreams – Everyone enjoying dozing off and visiting other islands within dreams will now be able to choose to visit random islands while dreaming, opening up new vistas of inspiration for island customisations.
• Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp collaboration – To commemorate Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp’s third anniversary, a Pocket Camp smartphone model will become available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
• Resident and Island Data Transfers**** – Two new features are arriving to offer expanded flexibility for resident and island data. The single player transfer feature allows players to transfer resident data to another system. This includes the resident’s name, appearance and equipment, along with their inventory, home and storage. A separate whole island transfer feature will enable players to move their user save data, along with the island itself and all the residents, to another system. This service will be facilitated by the free Island Transfer Tool app in Nintendo eShop. Additional details about the benefits and limitations of these new data transfer services can be found at https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support
• … and more: New seasonal items will be available starting 1^st December at Nook Stop. Between 26^th and 31^st December, there will also be several festive items to celebrate New Year’s Eve. In addition to the content of the update, players can look forward to a countdown event on December 31^st, starting at 7 p.m. local time, to ring in the new year with their residents as well as friends and family in the game.

The next update will be arriving in late January. We will share more information in the coming months.

On 19th November, a free update will arrive for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The update will introduce holiday events and further enhancements, including new Reactions and hairstyles, resident and island data transfers and more.

And here's the video...

Are you excited for the Winter update in Animal Crossing? Or are you just interested in the highly anticipated Save Data Transfer feature? Is this title still on your most played games list on your Switch?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or join in with the discussion on our forum.