Nintendo Patent Suggests Potential Feature for Upcoming Animal Crossing Game

Nintendo recently filed a patent that might give us a sneak peek into a potential new feature for the upcoming Animal Crossing game. This beloved franchise, which saw a significant boost in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic with the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, is due for a fresh installment. As we approach the debut of a new Nintendo console, it’s only natural to anticipate news about the next game in the series happening sooner rather than later.

Currently, Nintendo hasn’t officially announced a new Animal Crossing game. In fact, they’re being pretty tight-lipped about their plans regarding games for the forthcoming Switch 2, with only a new Mario Kart confirmed so far. However, as we get closer to the release of the Switch 2, we can expect Nintendo to unveil a lot more. In the meantime, a recent patent filing by the company might provide clues about what they’re planning for the future of Animal Crossing.

This patent outlines the concept of a newspaper generated based on in-game events, and the example provided clearly nods towards Animal Crossing. The patent features an Island Newspaper, complete with headlines about an approaching Halloween event and a roundup of activities from the past weeks, such as shooting stars, insect-catching, completing DIY projects, the construction of the museum, and more.

While this patent was submitted in 2024 and only published in 2025, the example seems directly tied to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, there’s a possibility that this idea is being considered for the next Animal Crossing game currently under development for the Nintendo Switch 2. Alternatively, the patent might not be utilized at all or could be destined for a different game entirely, with Animal Crossing merely serving as an illustrative example. It’s common practice for companies to file patents that never make it to the production stage, so fans should temper their expectations regarding this potential newspaper feature in the upcoming Animal Crossing.

Even though we’re still in the dark about what the next Animal Crossing game will bring, one thing is certain: this hugely popular series will continue. The success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, both in terms of sales and critical reception, makes another installment inevitable. With a dedicated community that still actively engages with the game daily, it’s only a matter of time before we see Animal Crossing on the Switch 2.