Nintendo Switch
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 The Nintendo Switch docked with Joy-Con detached  The Nintendo Switch in handheld mode with Joy-Con attached | |||||||
Available colors: | |||||||
| Manufacturer | Nintendo | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Home console/handheld hybrid | ||||||
| Release date(s) |  March 3, 2017 | ||||||
| Media | Game Card microSD card | ||||||
| Input | Joy-Con Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Touch screen[nb 1] | ||||||
| Predecessor | Wii U Nintendo 3DS | ||||||
| Successor | Nintendo Switch 2 | ||||||
TheNintendo Switch is a hybrid video game home console and handheld made byNintendo and released in 2017. It can be played portably or placed in a dock to play on a TV or monitor. It features detachable controllers known as Joy-Con, which can be used either in tandem or separately; there is also a more traditional controller known as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. Additionally,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, which feature content from theAnimal Crossing series, were released for the Switch in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
As of December 31, 2025, the Nintendo Switch family has sold a total of 155.37 million units worldwide, making it both Nintendo's best-selling platform and the second highest-selling video game platform of all-time behindSony'sPlayStation 2.
The Nintendo Switch was succeeded in 2025 by theNintendo Switch 2, which is backward-compatible with Nintendo Switch games.
Features and built-in software[edit]
User profile icons[edit]
Users can customize their profiles with icons of characters from various Nintendo franchises, includingAnimal Crossing. 12Animal Crossing icons have been available since the console's launch, and an additional six based onAnimal Crossing: New Horizons specifically were added in the 10.0.0 system update on April 14, 2020.[1]
Tom Nook
(New Horizons)
Timmy and Tommy
(New Horizons)
Isabelle
(New Horizons)
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Additional profile icons based onNew Horizons are available exclusively toNintendo Switch Online members and can be purchased withMy Nintendo Platinum Points.
Captures[edit]
Screenshots and 30-second video clips can be captured in most software, includingAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, via a dedicated button (
) on the left Joy-Con and Pro Controller. Additionally,New Horizons has an in-game camera mode that allows for taking screenshots with
. All screenshots and videos are saved to an album that is accessible from the HOME Menu. Screenshots are saved asJPEG files, and videos are saved asH.264-encodedMP4 files; both are saved at a resolution of 1280×720 regardless of the game's internal resolution or the system's output resolution.
Friends[edit]
Users can becomefriends either by exchanging Friend Codes or sending a friend request after playing online together. InAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, the player can view the online status of friends who have played the game via the Best Friends ListNookPhone app. Friends can visit each other's islands, sendletters to each other, and, if marked as a Best Friend in-game, message each other directly via the Best Friend List NookPhone app.
Nintendo eShop[edit]
The Nintendo eShop is a digital store where games and software can be purchased and downloaded. All retailAnimal Crossing-related games are also available for purchase from the eShop, and theAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Island Transfer Tool is available to download for free exclusively from the eShop.
Nintendo Switch Online[edit]
- Main article:Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online is a paid online service that is required for online play.Animal Crossing: New Horizons utilizes Nintendo Switch Online for various features, including the friends system, visiting other players' islands over the internet, uploadingdreams, uploading designed homes to theHappy Home Network, and using theisland backup feature. Additionally, active Nintendo Switch Online members can unlock theNintendo Switch Lite andNook Inc. silk rug items inNew Horizons through the eShop.
There is also a Nintendo Switch Online mobile app that features game-specific online services, includingNookLink forNew Horizons.
A more expensive tier of Nintendo Switch Online, known as Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, includes, among other things, access to theHappy Home Paradise DLC forNew Horizons while the subscription is active.
Animal Crossing-related games[edit]
Retail[edit]
| Game | Image | Release dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe |  |  April 28, 2017 April 28, 2017 April 28, 2017 April 28, 2017 April 28, 2017 December 15, 2017 March 16, 2020 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |  | December 7, 2018 |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons |  | March 20, 2020 |
Download[edit]
In addition to the downloadable versions of the retail Nintendo Switch titles mentioned above, the following download-only software is also available on the Nintendo Switch.
| App | Release date |
|---|---|
 Animal Crossing: New Horizons Island Transfer Tool | November 18, 2020 |
Models[edit]
| Name | Image | Release dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | | March 3, 2017 | - |
| Nintendo Switch Lite |  | September 20, 2019 | The Nintendo Switch Lite is a smaller, handheld-only version of the Nintendo Switch. It lacks the detachable Joy-Con controllers and features a +Control Pad instead of directional buttons on its left side. |
| Nintendo Switch (OLED model) |   | October 8, 2021 | The Nintendo Switch (OLED model) features a larger,OLED display, a redesigned kickstand, and 64 GB of internal storage. |
Animal Crossing models and bundles[edit]
MultipleAnimal Crossing: New Horizons-themed models of the Nintendo Switch have been released:
| Model | Release date(s) | Bundle | Design |
|---|---|---|---|
  Nintendo Switch (Special Edition) | March 13, 2020 | None | This model features a cream-colored dock with artwork ofTom Nook and theNooklings on an island, aNew Horizons-themed design embossed on the back of the console, and unique pastel green and blue Joy-Con controllers with cream backs. If these Joy-Con controllers are used while playingAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, the player receives a letter from Nintendo containing theACNH Nintendo Switch furniture item. |
.jpg) Nintendo Switch Lite (Isabelle's Aloha Edition) | October 6, 2023 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons (digital) | This model is pink with anAnimal Crossing leaf symbol in the bottom-right corner of the front, and a leaf pattern on the back. |
.jpg) Nintendo Switch Lite (Timmy & Tommy's Aloha Edition) | October 6, 2023 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons (digital) | This model is turquoise with anAnimal Crossing leaf symbol in the bottom-right corner of the front, and a leaf pattern on the back. |
Appearances in theAnimal Crossing series[edit]
InPocket Camp[edit]
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp features two furniture items based on the original model of the Nintendo Switch: the Nintendo Switch G and Nintendo Switch NB/NR.
Nintendo Switch G
Nintendo Switch NB/NR
InNew Horizons[edit]
Animal Crossing: New Horizons features three furniture items based on the Nintendo Switch: theNintendo Switch,Nintendo Switch Lite, andACNH Nintendo Switch. Additionally, there are two furniture items based on Nintendo Switch accessories: theRing-Con andaloha-edition carrying case.
The buy prices of the Nintendo Switch (
29,980Bells) and Nintendo Switch Lite ( 19,980Bells) match the real-world yen prices of the consoles in Japan.
Nintendo Switch (Gray)
Nintendo Switch (Neon blue & neon red)
Nintendo Switch Lite (Turquoise)
Nintendo Switch Lite (Gray)
Nintendo Switch Lite (Coral)
Nintendo Switch Lite (Yellow)
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Gallery[edit]
A Nintendo Switch as seen inNew Horizons when scanning anamiibo in handheld mode
A Joy-Con as seen inNew Horizons when scanning an amiibo while using a Joy-Con pair
A Nintendo Switch Pro Controller as seen inNew Horizons when scanning an amiibo while using a Pro Controller
Notes[edit]
- ↑Handheld mode only
References[edit]
- ↑Justin (April 14, 2020)."Nintendo Switch Version 10.0.0 adds new Animal Crossing: New Horizons profile icons, controller remapping".Animal Crossing World. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
External links[edit]
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