Autumn, the leaves begins to fall, the weather gets chilly, and the next free Animal Crossing: New Horizons update is just around the corner, this time bringing some ghoulish tricks and treats to your island paradise.

Starting from the 30th September, villagers will be able to purchase pumpkin seeds from Leif year-round (or Nook’s Cranny during October), allowing them to grow the festive squash to use in spooky DIY recipes. Throughout the month, Nook’s Cranny will also be selling candy, the Able Sisters will have Halloween costumes ready to order, and the Town Hall will even have frightening make up to exchange for Nook Miles.

When it comes to the big day on the 31st October after 5pm, your fellow residents will gather round the plaza to partake in the Halloween festivities. A rather mysterious fellow, Jack, will also be visiting to provide special in-game rewards in exchange for the cavity inducing candy… be sure to keep some aside for your neighbours though, they may have some brand new reactions to teach.

In addition to the Halloween goodies, this new update will also introduce a favourites list to the Dream Suite as well as an ability to perform reactions from the NookLink app service.

Check out the press release and gallery after the break!

25th September 2020 – Autumn has come to  Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with acorns and pinecones falling from trees, waiting to be used for new DIY recipes. But there’s more content on the way. On 30th September, a free update* is coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, available for Nintendo Switch, that adds some spooky touches to the season with Halloween costumes, character customization options, DIY projects and festivities.

Spooky new costumes, eerie character customisations and frightening Reactions can be found in the new Get spooky with the new Animal Crossing: New Horizons update on September 30th! (Nintendo Switch) trailer.

Here’s an overview of the new features the free update will add to Animal Crossing: New Horizons beginning 30th September:

• Growing Pumpkins – Pumpkin starts are available in-game from Leif year-round or from Nook’s Cranny during October. Once pumpkins are grown, they can be harvested and put to use in pumpkin-based DIY projects.

• Halloween Preparations – Pumpkins are just the beginning of the Halloween-themed festivities coming up. With the big day just around the corner, players can start stocking up on candy early. It is possible to purchase costumes, such as a mage dress or a mummy outfit, at Able Sisters’ shop during the month of October. Body paint and coloured eye contacts are available by exchanging Nook Miles. Fellow residents will also give out Halloween-themed DIY recipes.

• Halloween Night Celebrations – When Halloween night arrives on 31st October, after 5 p.m., neighbours will gather in the plaza which will be adorned with an array of Halloween decorations.  Players will also receive a visit from a mysterious guest: Jack, the “czar of Halloween.” By giving Jack lollipops and candy, players earn spooky in-game rewards. Saving some candy for neighbours helps players to avoid getting pranked by them. Luckily, they can learn a couple of new Reactions to properly express their feelings of fear.

• Dreaming Favorite List – The ability to take a nap and visit other islands within dreams was introduced this summer. Now, players will be able to curate a list of their favourite islands to visit in dreams, making it easier to revisit them anytime***. 

• NookLink Update – The NookLink Service in the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app is also receiving an update in early October With the update, players will be able to use their smart device to perform reactions in the game****. How about using it for this occasion?

The next update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons will arrive in late November.

Nintendo UK PR
Leon Fletcher

I am a huge Nintendo fan, hence why NintyBuzz exists. I especially love all things Zelda and Metroid. NintyBuzz was started by me back in the Summer of 2014, it started out mainly as a hobby, though the site has gradually grown, and I hope it grows for many years to come!