The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Zelda crossover is no longer something to wait for: Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ free version 3.0 update arrived on January 15, 2026. It adds Zelda-series items and lets players use select amiibo to invite Tulin or Mineru, but those are distinct unlocks—and the character invitations depend on having a compatible figure.
What the Zelda crossover adds in version 3.0
Nintendo announced the free update for January 15, 2026, and says the update’s content is available in both versions of Animal Crossing: New Horizons: the original Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The crossover centers on two amiibo features: access to series-inspired items and invitations for certain characters. Nintendo’s compatibility announcement describes the character invitations, while its amiibo support page explains the item unlock.
Items and character invitations are separate outcomes
Series-inspired items
Nintendo Support says scanning any The Legend of Zelda or Splatoon series amiibo figure makes sets of items inspired by the respective series available in Nook Shopping. This general item guidance is separate from the specific compatibility list for inviting Tulin or Mineru. The support page does not say that every Zelda amiibo invites either character.
Tulin and Mineru invitations
Nintendo’s compatibility announcement lists select figures that can invite Tulin or Mineru. The lists differ, though some figures work for more than one character. If a figure is compatible with multiple characters, Nintendo Support says the game prompts you to choose which character to invite.
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![Animal Crossings New Horizons - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ErvUL40zL._SL160_.jpg)
- Build your community from scratch on a deserted island brimming with possibility; Create your personal getaway and customize your character, home, decorations, and even the landscape itself
- Collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools. Then, use what you create to give your island a personal touch
- Watch as the time of day and seasons match real life—even your hemisphere. Each day holds potential for surprises and discoveries
- Get to know the island residents, garden, fish, decorate, hunt for fossils, and more.
- Show off your paradise – play on the same system with a total of 4 people, or play together online or over local wireless for fun with up to 8 players
Check Nintendo’s Tulin and Mineru compatibility lists before choosing a figure. They include select Link variants as well as figures such as Zelda, Ganondorf, and Wolf Link; the exact figure matters for the character invitation you want.
How to use an amiibo for the crossover
- Update the game to version 3.0. The free update was released on January 15, 2026.
- Choose a compatible figure for your goal. Use Nintendo’s character list if you want to invite Tulin or Mineru. For the general item feature, Nintendo Support says Zelda- and Splatoon-series amiibo figures unlock their respective item sets in Nook Shopping.
- Tap the amiibo when prompted in the game. If the figure supports more than one invitation, select the character you want when the game asks.
Is the crossover worth getting an amiibo for?
That depends on what you want from it. If your main goal is to invite Tulin or Mineru, confirm that the specific figure appears on Nintendo’s list for that character before buying or borrowing one. If you are mainly interested in themed items, Nintendo’s support guidance covers series-inspired item sets as a separate benefit. The announced feature set establishes these amiibo-based additions; it does not establish a larger Zelda quest or a broader, amiibo-free character invitation system.
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- Share Your Paradise - Show off your island utopia to family and friends - or pack your bags and visit theirs.
- Get Building - Experience a robust new crafting system - collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools!
- Create Your Perfect Getaway - Craft everything from tools to creature comforts as you create and customize your island community.
- Explore Your Island - Collect bugs, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean.
- Play Together - Up to eight players can reside on an island; four residents of the same island can play together simultaneously on a single system.
The access requirement has drawn at least some criticism. In a pre-release r/zelda discussion, one commenter welcomed the collaboration but wrote, “I love it, I just wish it wasn’t locked behind amiibo”. That is one player’s reaction, not evidence of broader consensus, but it captures the main trade-off: the crossover brings recognizable Zelda content to the island, while its key unlocks depend on amiibo access.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game version do you need?
Nintendo says the version 3.0 content can be played in both New Horizons versions. The original Switch game and the Switch 2 Edition are separate purchase considerations: Nintendo’s October 30, 2025 announcement describes the Switch 2 Edition and a paid upgrade pack for existing Switch owners. Its listed US MSRP is tied to that announcement and may not reflect current pricing or prices in other regions, so check Nintendo’s local store for the current edition and upgrade details. Nintendo’s edition announcement has the specifics.
Quick Recap
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![Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JAzQozLgL._SL160_.jpg)
- Take in-game photos of your designs and add them to your portfolio. Show them to other characters and you may get more requests to create vacation homes. Share the photos with other players using the in-game Showroom in the Happy Home Network app and they can tour your personally-designed resort islands or go tour theirs for some relaxation and inspiration.
- Purchase the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC from Nintendo eShop, or download and play it as part of an active Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack membership at no extra cost.
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