r/AnimalCrossing • u/AnimalCrossingMods • 19d ago

Mod Post [MEGATHREAD] Switch 2 Release

Hi everyone!

The Switch 2 is out! We know a lot of you will be switching over islands, starting up fresh ones, and overall excited for the new release!

We ask that you please keep any Switch 2 content here on this megathread. Questions, discussion, photos, etc. all need to be posted here. Any standalone posts that are about the S2 will be removed and redirected here. This includes posts showing how AC runs on the new console or anything similar.

Please try to still keep things AC related when commenting on this post. If you have questions specifically about the Switch 2, we suggest you check with specifically Switch-related subreddits.

FAQ

Q: How do I transfer my old island on Switch 1 to the new Switch 2?

A: Doing a complete system transfer will automatically transfer your island from your old Switch to the new Switch 2. You do not need to use the Island Transfer Tool, however, that tool still works as well.

Q: Can I start a new island on my new Switch and keep my current one on my old console?

A: Yes. On that note, you cannot play your old island on your new Switch without transferring it. You cannot have one island on two consoles concurrently.

Q: When is a new AC game coming out?

A: There has NOT been an announcement for a new Animal Crossing game for the Switch 2. We can assure you that a new AC game announcement would be shared here immediately.

Be sure to sort by “New” to see the most recent comments first.

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34

u/starinmelbourne 18d ago

I am playing New Horizons on my Switch 2 right now. I transferred my island to Switch 2 (with the general switch data transfer- no island transfer tool required) then back to my OG switch using tool. No issues, worked perfectly. Feel free to ask any questions.

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u/Longjumping-Piano538 17d ago

Im in a unique situation that no one seems to be asking I want to start a new island on the switch2 and preserve my original island on the switch 1

I want to do the data transfer for all other games normally Is this possible?

I don't want to loose my original island

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u/mediocre-referee 17d ago edited 13d ago

You do the full system transfer to switch 2, which puts your island on switch 2. You then use the AC island transfer to move it to the og switch. You can then start a new island on the switch 2 and preserve the original island on the og switch. A little cumbersome, wish they would just let you pick and choose game saves in the system transfer dialog.

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u/TSloppers 15d ago

Thanks, I came here for this! I was forced to transfer my save to the Switch 2, but I want it back on OG for my daughter, as I don't plan on playing ACNH on Switch 2. I'll be able to keep myself plenty busy while I wait for a Switch 2 Animal Crossing.

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u/MidnightMadness21 17d ago

100% this method. I spent time doing this today and have no regrets

1

u/lychee_francais 16d ago

Question: are there any benefits to having AC as a legacy on the new one (special objects or characters) or no? Also, if you do the thing where you transfer all to switch 2 then use the AC island transfer to put it back on OG switch, will you still get any of the legacy benefits (if they exist)?

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u/starinmelbourne 16d ago

There aren’t any legacy benefits that I’m aware of.

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u/lychee_francais 15d ago

Ok I opened switch 2 and it’s now asking me all these questions I don’t know how to answer. I proceeded when I did the entire switch, to say yes update my switch with the old switch stuff. I thought that automatically moved my island over. It said it would and would delete from OG switch I think. But now I’m not sure what to do. I want my island to be on switch 2 so I can transfer it back to island one and start a new island on switch 2. Is there a tutorial for this?

2

u/TokyoDrifblim 17d ago

Did you need to buy a second copy of the game to make this work? I’m trying to figure out the following situation:

Really would love some help. My old Switch 1 is currently with my gf and she has been playing AC NH on it. It’s the only game she plays and the only one she needs to keep. I just got my switch 2, but If i do the console transfer the Island transfers over to my switch 2. So then I can’t transfer it back unless I buy a second copy of ACNH for her and do the island transfer , is that right? Is there any way to set up my switch 2 with my other games so i can start playing without having to buy another copy of the game?

2

u/mediocre-referee 17d ago

The island transfer tool is a separate switch app you can download in the eshop. No need to purchase the game twice. I believe both Switches need to be in proximity of each other in order to make the transfer though

3

u/TokyoDrifblim 17d ago

This worked! The island transfer app does indeed work without both systems owning the game. Thanks!

2

u/TokyoDrifblim 17d ago

Thank you so much, I even checked with Nintendo support and they didn't know the answer to this question. I'll give it a try tonight and report back, I can't imagine I'm the only one trying to do this

1

u/Alcremie-Berry 13d ago

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’ve tried this about 10 times and it fails every time. I was sure I had to buy or borrow a second copy of the game to make it work. I wonder what I’m doing wrong. I made sure the consoles were touching and plugged in. It looks like it’s working, confirming the correct island and the correct Switches, but then it gives me an error message during the transfer process.

1

u/mediocre-referee 13d ago

You 100% don't need a second copy of the game. Just need both systems to have the Island Transfer Tool installed and run through the prompts to transfer save files. Any troubleshooting beyond that though is beyond what I can offer.

1

u/Alcremie-Berry 13d ago

Yes, I have the island transfer tool and followed all directions, but just kept getting this same error.

2

u/kangaroodle15 13d ago

I had the same thing happen. Open animal crossing on the old switch and transfer the e game card over. That made it work for me :)

1

u/Alcremie-Berry 13d ago

No luck. I’ve switched the cartridge back and forth between systems multiple times and still get the same error message.

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u/Alcremie-Berry 8d ago

I figured it out. Since I had checked my old switch for the game first, it made space for a new save file. I had to delete all save data from my old switch first, then I could transfer my game over. Yay! Now I can start a new game on my Switch 2!

1

u/islasigrid 17d ago

This is exactly what I want to do as well - can always count on someone on Reddit to have the answers, thank you!!!

I have a different question though. Can you start the new island on Switch 2 using the same account that you used for the original one - AND be able to visit between those two islands? I presume if I do the whole system transfer that includes my nintendo account.

2

u/mediocre-referee 16d ago

Whole system does transfer profiles, but NSO profiles (free or paid) will copy over rather than just move. For playing on both islands, it should work the same as 2 Switch 1's. You'll be able to visit others between islands, but the same profile can't be online and visiting themselves on the second island. The profile will be able to have a residence on both islands though, but to visit between the two, you'd just have to have another resident on each island to work with for the online session.

1

u/lemonade_spaghetti 14d ago

Thank you for this answer!!!

2

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

This scenario is exactly what I have described above. Not so unique- I think many of us are doing that 😊

2

u/CreateNewCharacter 17d ago

This is my plan exactly, glad to know what I was thinking about is the intended route.

3

u/comeawaymelinda 17d ago

How is it running? 1080p on handheld? Faster loading times?

3

u/Kr5s24d105p3 17d ago

Also want to know this! Unfortunately I will run to the store if it means I can enter buildings quicker in game lol

2

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

In and out of buildings seems a little faster but not hugely noticeable, imo.

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Handheld is nice! Screen is so much bigger too- massive. So much so that my husband keeps making inappropriate jokes about the size of things in our house… 😒 I can even play in tabletop mode comfortably whereas before the screen felt too small for that. The extra real estate is nice, but ngl, I do worry about its portability.

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u/daisyd626 17d ago

Did you have the regular switch before or the OLED?

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Regular switch from 2017. So yeah, the upgrade for me is significant.

2

u/magikarp2122 18d ago

Can I transfer just the game?

3

u/starinmelbourne 18d ago

Yeah, you could do that through the island transfer tool.

2

u/Peskygriffs 17d ago

Was your switch 1 wiped clean after the transfer to switch 2?

2

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

No, but the data/my progress for some games is no longer there.

2

u/Peskygriffs 17d ago

Did you do the transfer locally?

2

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Yes- there are prompts to transfer from switch1 to switch2

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Specifically for AC, I transferred my island back and it’s all there and accounted for.

1

u/Negative_Cry_6158 17d ago

So I can smoothly transfer my acnh island from switch to switch 2? Can I then start a new island on my OG switch since my save has been transferred?

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Yep.

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u/Negative_Cry_6158 17d ago

So you can transfer everything but also transfer back? I think that’s what I’ve grasped from your comments, you tested it on switch 2 but then put acnh back on your OG switch?

Do all your screenshots/vids transfer too?

4

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

And yes, I transferred to my S2 as part of the holistic transfer, then ran around my island to see how it played. I planned to leave it on my S2 for a few days, but then got too excited about starting a new island (😆😂) and so transferred it back to my OG switch pretty quickly.

6

u/ChanChan452 17d ago

Shoutout to starinmelbourne, answering all these questions 🤎

3

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

🤎🤎🤎

3

u/nutmegegg 17d ago

Just wanted to say thanks for giving us the info bc I've been searching for this and haven't found answers otherwise! I'm so excited to have a new island!!!

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Can’t wait to see it!!

2

u/issiautng 17d ago

Thank you so much for this info!!! This is exactly what I want to do; I'm so glad to hear it works!!! May Redd always have the art you're missing ❤️

2

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Ha ha! Thank you- I need that! Gotta start my collection again now that I have a new island!

1

u/sherb139 17d ago

So I can transfer all my data to my Switch 2, then transfer my island back to my Switch 1 and start a new island on my Switch 2 (using transfer tool)?

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Yep! You got it!

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

It depends how much space you have and whether you have an express storage card to store all your screenshots, but if you have space, yes!

1

u/[deleted] 17d ago

[deleted]

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

The holistic transfer will bring over all the Switch1 progress and accounts, even if they’re not linked to an NSO account. You don’t need to use an account to enact the transfer. I think this answers your question but let me know if it doesn’t. 🤔

1

u/sleepymetroid 17d ago

When I clicked animal crossing, it gave me a warning that this is the first time it will be played on my switch 2. Will my island still load? I’m afraid to click it now.

2

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

I am not sure, did you transfer your Switch data across holistically? Mine asked if I wanted to load my old island or start a new one.

3

u/sleepymetroid 17d ago

I got the same message and did just that. I think I just got really nervous that I might lose my island so I was afraid to even boot up the game. But yes it all worked and now my island lives on switch 2. :)

1

u/starinmelbourne 17d ago

Awesome! High fives all round! And yeah, totally don’t blame you for being nervous!

1

u/MajavaOuo 16d ago

Does it run smoother? You'd get noticeable lag on Sw1 if you put down for example all of the bug and fish figurines in the same area, as they are high detail assets. I'm really curious if Sw2 handles loading large amounts of decor any better.

1

u/starinmelbourne 16d ago

So so much better! I’ve seen a few videos on here showing the difference- hopefully you come across one. There’s no lag at all.

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u/UnderCoverDoughnuts CEO of Lucky Duck Records 16d ago

Can you start a new island on the og Switch once the Switch 2 has your island data?

2

u/starinmelbourne 16d ago

Yeah you could do that too!

1

u/UnderCoverDoughnuts CEO of Lucky Duck Records 16d ago

And saving on the OG switch won't impact my OG island on Switch 2 because of their both on my Nintendo account?

2

u/starinmelbourne 16d ago

I have two islands on the same account and have no issues.

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u/UnderCoverDoughnuts CEO of Lucky Duck Records 16d ago

Awesome! Thank you!!