In an exciting development for gamers, especially those who have poured countless hours into their beloved islands in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo has confirmed that players will be able to transfer their island save data directly to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This means that if you've been worried about abandoning your cherished island while your original console gathers dust, you can breathe easy.

During an interview with Polygon last week, Takuhiro Dohta, the Senior Director of Programming Management Group, elaborated on the details of this transfer process, stating that it will be straightforward and efficient. “I should clarify that when you do the system transfer, everything like save data will remain on the Nintendo Switch and once it moves to the Nintendo Switch 2 as well,” he explained. “But the [Animal Crossing] island will be an actual move. So it will leave Nintendo Switch and move over to Nintendo Switch 2.”

This announcement brings a significant improvement over the previous methods available for transferring your island, which were somewhat cumbersome. Previously, players could either save their island data to the cloud and then retrieve it later—an option primarily designed for those who lost or damaged their original Switch—or they had to download the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Island Transfer Tool app onto their consoles. This app was necessary for transferring data between two devices. However, the cloud option required players to contact Nintendo to access their data, adding another layer of inconvenience.

While these methods were functional, they often felt more complicated than necessary. Nintendo's approach aimed to prevent players from creating duplicate islands across multiple devices, leading to a more streamlined user experience. Despite these valid concerns, many players were left yearning for a less convoluted method to protect their hard-earned progress in the game. Now, with the upcoming console, gamers can rest assured that their islands will be safely transferred without any extra steps or potential pitfalls.

For many players, including myself, it has been some time since we last visited our islands in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Yet, the prospect of losing the fruits of our labor—expansive gardens, charming villager friendships, and meticulously curated landscapes—is a daunting thought. The new transfer feature promises not only to simplify the process but also to preserve the memories and achievements players have cultivated over the years.

As we eagerly await the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, this development enhances the anticipation for its arrival and promises to make our gaming experiences smoother than ever.