The second summer update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons is on the way. Summer Update Wave 2 lands on July 30th and will add some crucial new features to the game. It'll be available for free for everyone who owns New Horizons. You will, however, need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to make the most of two major new features.
What's in Animal Crossing: New Horizons' second summer update?
There are three big new things on their way to New Horizons as part of this update. The first doesn't require a Nintendo Switch Online membership at all. Every Sunday in August, you'll be able to enjoy firework displays on your island at 7pm. You'll also be able to redeem Bells for raffle tickets in the plaza in order to win festive items you can use, including custom patterns for said fireworks.
Also coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons on July 30th are two major online features. Dreaming will allow you to share your island with other players as a dream. Doing so will let other players visit your island. While you're in a dream, nothing you do is permanent, so you can explore and tinker to your heart's content without worrying about messing someone else's island up. To dream, all you need to do is take a nap in any bed placed in your home in New Horizons. You'll need a Switch Online membership to take advantage of dreaming.
The second big online feature is a backup and restoration service. If you have Nintendo Switch Online, enabling island backup and restoration means you'll be able to recover your island. This is distinct from the cloud save function; if you lose your Switch or it gets damaged, you'll need to contact Nintendo customer support to restore your island on a new or repaired Switch system. Nintendo also says it's working on a specific Animal Crossing: New Horizons feature which will let you move users and data between Switch systems without loss or damage occurring. More details on that will be available later this year.
Summer Update Wave 2 will be available to download for Animal Crossing: New Horizons on July 30th.
Are you looking forward to fireworks displays and dream islands? Let us know in the comments below!