Of course, previously, Nintendo had confirmed that the aforementioned free update, Version 2.0, will be the last big free update for the game, but does that mean we can perhaps look forward to more paid content coming in the future? Well, as it turns out, that won’t be the case. In a statement to IGN, Nintendo confirmed that Happy Home Paradise will be the first and last paid DLC for the game.

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise introduces a new gameplay experience in which the player joins the Paradise Planning team and helps make their client’s dream resort home become a reality,” a Nintendo spokesperson said. “It is a major update to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and offers a distinguishing and different gameplay experience. Therefore, it made sense to include it as the first and only paid DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

So there you go. When Version 2.0 and Happy Home Paradise launch on November 5, Nintendo will be winding down support for the game in terms of both free and paid updates. While it’s possible that we get the minor free update here and there, but it looks like the bulk of the game’s post-launch pipeline will be drained soon. Of course, the upcoming new content promises dozens hours of gameplay, if not more, so fans have plenty to look forward to.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on Nintendo Switch.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Sledgehammer Games’ Call of Duty: Vanguard marks a return to World War 2 for the series (yes, again). The twist in the campaign is that it’s an alternate history where Hitler has been slain and the Reich is being led by Hermann Wenzel Freisinger of the Gestapo. It’s up to Task Force One to stop him before Project Phoenix can be completed with players partaking in numerous theaters of war, from the Pacific to North Africa. For multiplayer, there will be 20 maps available at launch and new modes like Champion Hill and Patrol while Zombies, which is being handled by Treyarch, ties into the Dark Aether storyline with new abilities and foes. Call of Duty: Vanguard releases on November 5^th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC, and thus far, it seems to tick every necessary box.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition

After months of speculation, Rockstar Games finally confirmed remasters for Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition releases on November 11th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. It offers significantly upgraded visuals, from improved character models to a revamped lighting system, better draw distance, reflections and much more. Quality-of-life features include a checkpoint system for instant restarts and controls akin to Grand Theft Auto 5. All in all, this is looking like the best way to experience some of the best open world titles ever made.

Battlefield 2042

The “biggest Battlefield” till date, Battlefield 2042 is out on November 19^th. Though there’s no campaign, there are a number of multiplayer offerings. Core multiplayer offers seven maps and 128-player matches in classic modes like Conquest. Then there’s Hazard Zone, an Escape from Tarkov-style mode where a squad of three players must battle AI foes and real players to extract data drives. Despite the backlash against Specialists and the middling beta, Battlefield 2042 is still worth keeping an eye on at launch.

Football Manager 2022

Currently available in early access for PC, Sports Interactive’s Football Manager 2022 launches worldwide on November 9^th for Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android. Along with 123 different leagues and over 500,000 players to choose from, there are new features like the Data Hub for utilizing real world metrics and customizing one’s dashboard; improved animation and AI; and new staff meetings for weekly reports. It still offers the robust tactics that fans love though, making this year’s iteration arguably the most enticing yet.

Forza Horizon 5

Playground Games’ open world racing series makes a triumphant return with Forza Horizon 5, this time venturing to gorgeous Mexico for the Horizon Festival. While there are over 400 cars to choose from and familiar activities like Street Racing and Offroad Racing, quite a lot is changing this year. There are 11 different biomes, each with their own respective weather and new weather types like enormous dust storms have also been added. Each race type also has its own dedicated Festival Site as players earn Accolades by completing tasks and attempting to enter the Hall of Fame. Even multiplayer has seen some changes with the more chill Horizon Open, mini-games via Horizon Arcade and much more. Forza Horizon 5 is out on November 9^th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Jurassic World Evolution 2

After the success of Jurassic World Evolution, Frontier Developments is back with a sequel which releases on November 9^th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC. Much of the same tenets remain as you’re building a park to house numerous species of dinosaurs and there are 75 different kinds to manage. But along with managing their habitats, food and other needs, the dinosaurs will compete for territory and even hunt together. There are also different biomes which provide their own respective challenges (managing a park in a forest won’t be the same as a desert, for example). Along with a Campaign, fans can also look forward to Challenge Mode, Sandbox Mode and the new Chaos Theory mode for partaking in “What if?” moments from the films. All of this, plus Jeff Goldblum returning to voice Ian Malcolm? What more could you want?

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition

It’s the Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim…again. Originally released in November 2011, Skyrim is getting an Anniversary Edition to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of its release. It includes Skyrim Special Edition, which features the base game and expansions like Hearthfire, Dawnguard and Dragonborn, along with free Creation Club content. These include Fishing (along with the ability to build aquariums), Survival Mode, new quests and more with about 74 different creations in total to experience. Skyrim Special Edition is also getting a free upgrade for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S to leverage those consoles. However, Special Edition owners (which Xbox Game Pass players) will need to pay to upgrade to the Anniversary Edition when it releases on November 11^th.

Shin Megami Tensei 5

The war between angels and demons continues to rage on in Shin Megami Tensei 5. This time, the player goes from modern day Tokyo to Da’At, an alternative reality version of the city that’s in ruins. They soon meet the mysterious Aogami and combine to form Nahobino, battling back against the various demons. Traveling through Da’At, the player can negotiate and contract demons to fight for him, fusing them together to form stronger demons. Eventually, they’ll need to make a choice to push back the demons for good and prevent ruin from spreading to their world. With over 200 demons to command, the return of the Turn Press Battle system and an expansive new story, Shin Megami Tensei 5 may just be one of the biggest RPGs of the year when it releases on November 11^th for the Nintendo Switch.

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One

Frogwares’ open world investigation title is an origin story of sorts, presenting a younger, more brash Sherlock Holmes. Returning to his childhood home on Cordona, a fictional island in the Mediterranean, Holmes is looking to solve the mystery of his mother’s death. Along with his friend Jon (no, not John Watson), he’ll comb the island, collecting evidence and following leads, donning disguises to infiltrate restricted places, and much more before connecting it altogether and finding different culprits. Of course there’s also combat as Holmes can either gun down foes or knock them out, exploiting the environment to gain an advantage. Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is out on November 16^th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Releasing on November 19^th for the Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl serve as remakes to the 2006 DS classics. They maintain much of the same gameplay as the originals albeit with colorful 3D visuals and chibi characters. Character customization, Super Contest Shows, The Grand Underground and many more features have been added along with Pokemon that can follow the player. Time will tell if there are any other major new content additions or drastic differences but for now, long-time fans should enjoy these remakes.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise

As an expansion to the main game, Happy Home Paradise essentially sees players customizing vacation homes for the various denizens of the Animal Crossing-verse. The new archipelago offers a variety of different environments, from mountains to forests, and players must account for different requests when customizing. There’s quite a lot of freedom on offer, from changing the season and weather to designing specific buildings like schools and restaurants, not to mention soundscapes and Poki for acquiring rare items. And once you’ve done enough remodeling, you can use all of the new content for your own home or even your villagers’. Happy Home Paradise launches on November 5^th for the Switch.

The other reasons to pick up NSO + Expansion Pack are to play Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis titles on the Switch. These include N64 classics like Mario Kart 64, Mario Tennis, Star Fox 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and more with Paper Mario, Banjoo-Kazooie and more to be added. Sega Genesis titles available on day one include Golden Axe, Phantasy Star 4, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Contra: Hard Corps, Strider and many more.

For more details, check out the new overview trailer below. Along with support for up two players online, the titles will also have suspend points and the ability to rewind. Subscribers can change over from their current plan to upgraded plan for a discount. As for Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ new content, it goes live on November 5th for the Nintendo Switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNsGXJ6Cl00

The update also adds several new items, a revamp of the Photo app that allows for taking pictures in first person, new hair-styles, expanded storage, DIY recipes for cooking, and much more. This was noted to be the last major free update for the title but don’t fret – Happy Home Paradise was also announced as paid DLC. Also releasing on November 5th, it allows players to venture to a new archipelago and help different Villagers discover their dream vacation homes.

Along with extensively modeling houses, from adjusting the lighting to providing soundscapes and flourishes for different items, players can net Poki to purchase rare items. You can also return to different homes and remodel them, bring souvenirs for your island’s Villagers, and much more. Happy Home Paradise will retail for $25 with pre-orders beginning October 29th. However, it will also be included with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.