Major Free ‘Animal Crossing’ Expansion, Switch 2 Version Coming in January (Gaming News Roundup)

Tom Nook is at it again: Nintendo is releasing a free update for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” in January, along with a Switch 2 edition of the popular game.

Per Nintendo, the expansion will include the following:

• Resort Hotel’s Grand Opening: A resort hotel is opening on the pier, and it’s run by Kapp’n’s family. To bring in guests from off the island, you’ll help out by decorating guest rooms and more. Plus, find new furniture and clothing at the souvenir shop and dress up mannequins with outfits that guests can wear.
• Making Island Life More Convenient: Want a fresh start? Resetti is on hand with a convenient Reset Service to help tidy up your island. Additionally, you can now upgrade your home storage to hold up to 9,000 items, and store trees, shrubs and flowers there, too.
• Slumber Island: Players with a Nintendo Switch Online membershipcan design and save up to three islands and play with friends online. Select the size and layout of the island, build and design it collaboratively, access your inventory and decorate, plus invite residents from your home island.
• Collaborations: Collect Nintendo items like the Ultra Hand and Nintendo consoles in-game to add some classic flair to your island. Nintendo Switch Online members can play select classic Nintendo titles in-game when interacting with specific Nintendo console items, too! LEGO^® items will also make their debut with this update. And use select The Legend of Zeldaand Splatoonseries amiibo⁸ to invite certain characters — and unlock various items inspired by those series.

Watch the trailer for the “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” update below.

Related Stories

Robert De Niro Says 'We Can't Let Up' the Fight Against Trump Because 'He Does Not Want to Leave the White House': 'There's No Other Way to Face a Bully'

Actor David Cunio, ‘A Letter to David’ Documentary Subject, Among Hostages Released in Gaza Ceasefire

See more gaming news from this week in the roundup below.

GAME UPDATES/DLC

Electronic Arts (EA) and Battlefield Studios have launched “Battlefield REDSEC,” described as “a genre shifting free-to-play destination built on Battlefield’s iconic DNA, featuring a bold new take on the Battle Royale genre, an intense squad-based competitive mode called Gauntlet and new ways to unlock the power of Portal.”

The new game offering, which is currently free, launches alongside Season 1 for the recently released “Battlefield 6.”

Per EA, “As part of this free-to-play package, players can jump into Battlefield’s biggest map ever Fort Lyndon, and experience an explosive new take on the Battle Royale genre. Battlefield’s DNA is fused with the best of the Battle Royale genre, creating unrivaled opportunities for your team to approach each match and achieve ultimate victory. Players drop into a massive battle with 100 players, explore a massive world for powerful loot, and take down enemy squads through Battlefield’s signature gameplay experience. The power of Tactical Destruction brings an entirely new level of strategy to the genre, as players create their own paths to victory or turn the environment into their own deadly weapon while crushing opposing squads. Each round is a bombastic ride on an incredible cinematic scale that Battlefield is known for.”

TRAILERS

Blumhouse Games and Vermila Studios have unveiled a new behind the scenes video series for  “Crisol: Theater of Idols,” set to launch in 2026.

Episode one will guide viewers through the demented island of Tormentosa, found off the coast of Hispaña. Vermila will open the doors to The Fair, a lively hub location where players can rest throughout the game. Themed around a traditional Spanish fair, players will encounter Tormentosa’s less deadly inhabitants, and receive access to upgrades, minigames and more.

“Crisol: Theater of Idols” will launch in early 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. Players can wishlist the game on Steam.

Watch Episode 1 of the video series for “Crisol: Theater of Idols” below.

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES

Hilton Anaheim, Dapper Labs and Flow will launch The Hilton Anaheim Quest Featuring Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs, a new collaboration launching Nov. 1. The experience will be an interactive hotel activation open for a limited time that blends Disney style with modern digital engagement.

From Nov. 1-30, 2025, guests can join the scavenger hunt by searching for QR codes at four different touchpoints across Hilton Anaheim. Adults can download the Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs app on iOS and Android  to unlock special digital collectibles. 

Upon completing all touchpoints, participants will receive four Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs Mystery Capsules, each holding an exclusive digital pin. 

UPCOMING GAMES

Robot and Monster Girl are the newest playable fighters in Quarter Up’s upcoming 3v3 tag fighting game, “Invincible VS,” which is set in the “Invincible” universe.

Robot is described as a super genius drone turned human that can “keep enemies at a distance with his missiles and wrist cannons, while swiftly maneuvering throughout the game using his Beam Blasts and Disruptor to lay on damage.”

Monster Girl is a fighter who shifts between being human and a monster, which allows her to “tear down opponents, utilizing a combination of grapple attacks, head-spinning hits, in-air blows, body slams and more.”

“Invincible VS” is the first major game set in the “Invincible” universe based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley.

The game will launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC.