It seems that Nintendo’s latest patent filing might give us a sneaky peek into what’s coming next for the Animal Crossing series. If you’re a fan of the franchise, you might find this particularly exciting. Animal Crossing, a well-loved staple in Nintendo’s lineup, captivated many, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This game took the world by storm and now, after five years, fans are eagerly anticipating what could be next. With a new Nintendo console rumored to be in the works, speculations are rife that a fresh installment of Animal Crossing isn’t far off.
Nintendo has yet to officially announce a new Animal Crossing title. They’ve kept a tight lid on what the Switch 2 will bring to the table in terms of games, apart from confirming a new Mario Kart. It seems likely that we’ll hear more about the Switch 2 in the coming months, but for now, keen-eyed fans have spotted a recent patent that might just indicate some of Nintendo’s plans for the franchise’s future.
The newly filed patent showcases a feature where in-game events generate a newspaper. One glimpse of the example image in the patent, and it’s pretty clear it ties into the world of Animal Crossing. The Island Newspaper concept would keep players in the loop about island events like Halloween celebrations and recaps of recent happenings such as stargazing, catching bugs, and community developments like museum construction and DIY projects.
Now, it’s important to remember that patents don’t always come to fruition. This one was filed back in 2024 and only saw the light of day in 2025, hinting this idea might be earmarked for a new Animal Crossing release involving the Switch 2. However, companies often secure patents for innovations they might never actually use. Alternatively, this concept might pop up in an entirely unrelated game, with Animal Crossing merely serving as a convenient illustration. As always, it’s good to temper expectations; not every patent translates into game features or hardware.
Regardless of whether this newspaper idea makes it into the next game, it feels like a safe bet to say that Animal Crossing will return. New Horizons wasn’t just a massive financial hit; it won over critics too. With its enduring popularity, it remains a staple in many players’ daily routines. So, while details are thin on the ground, it seems less a matter of “if” and more a matter of “when” we will see Animal Crossing’s next adventure on the Switch 2.
