Animal Crossing: New Horizons rolls out update 3.0.2 with bug fixes and a limited-time anniversary item. See what’s been added and fixed in the latest patch.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update 3.0.2 Now Live
Adds Free Commemorative Item
Animal Crossing: New Horizons received update 3.0.2 on April 13, 2026, adding a free 25th anniversary item alongside various fixes and adjustments. The patch is available on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
The update includes a brand new item celebrating the series’ 25th anniversary. A commemorative Leaf Statue is sent to players via their in-game mailbox, accompanied by a letter featuring artwork from the original Nintendo 64 release of Dōbutsu no Mori:
The Leaf Statue functions as a decorative item that can be placed both indoors and outdoors, and can be toggled on and off, glowing softly when switched on. It cannot be customized, and it sells for 25,414 Bells, a nod to the series’ 25th anniversary and its original April 14 release date.
In addition, the yellow stationery used with the letter is now available at Dodo Airlines, featuring stamp-style graphics, a dated postmark, and character artwork from the original Nintendo 64 release of Dōbutsu no Mori, and can be used when sending letters and items to friends and villagers. As part of the 25th anniversary celebration, Nintendo has also added the original Animal Crossing GameCube soundtrack to the Nintendo Music app.
Cleans Up Several In-Game Bugs
Version 3.0.2 also addresses a number of issues across the game. Several gameplay-related bugs have been fixed, including problems with crafting that could allow certain DIY recipes to be completed without using enough materials, as well as situations where players could become stuck in hotel guest rooms due to furniture placement or guest behavior.
The update also resolves a handful of smaller but noticeable issues, such as items appearing from rocks before being struck and dung beetles lingering on-screen after snowballs disappear. Glowing spots now appear correctly when viewed from the plane, while villagers who promise to visit no longer show up in unintended locations inside the player’s home.
Custom design features have also been improved, resolving issues that could prevent designs brought to Slumber Islands from appearing at Able Sisters or being uploaded to the Custom Design Portal. Nintendo notes that additional adjustments have also been made to improve the overall gameplay experience.
For players with the paid DLC Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise, the update also resolves an issue where animals requesting vacation homes would stop appearing on the beach.
25 Years of Animal Crossing
First released in April 2001 as Dōbutsu no Mori for the Nintendo 64 in Japan, the original Animal Crossing centers on moving into a town of animal residents, paying off a home loan, and building relationships in a world that runs in real time. With no set objectives, players are free to fish, catch bugs, collect items, and interact with villagers at their own pace. Though initially released only in Japan, it later reached a wider audience with its GameCube version, introducing players worldwide to characters like Rover, Tom Nook, and K.K. Slider, who have since become mainstays of the series.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. For more information about the game, check out our article below.
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Latest update: Ver. 3.0.2
