Is Happy Home Paradise Free with the Expansion Pack? The Definitive Guide
Yes, Happy Home Paradise is “free” in the sense that you don’t have to purchase it separately if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Think of it like a bundled perk – you’re paying for the subscription service, and this excellent DLC comes along for the ride. However, understanding the nuances of this “free” access is crucial to avoid any confusion.
Decoding the “Free” Happy Home Paradise
It’s important to emphasize that the Happy Home Paradise DLC isn’t inherently free. It’s only accessible without an additional purchase if you subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This membership grants you access to a range of benefits, including:
- A library of classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games.
- Add-on content for select Nintendo Switch games, including the Happy Home Paradise DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass.
- All the standard features of a Nintendo Switch Online membership, such as online play, cloud saves, and access to the Nintendo Switch Online app.
So, while you’re not directly paying $24.99 (the standalone DLC price) if you have the Expansion Pack, the cost is factored into your overall subscription fee. If you let your Expansion Pack membership lapse, you will lose access to Happy Home Paradise until you renew or purchase the DLC separately.
Two Roads to Paradise: Purchase or Subscribe
There are fundamentally two ways to access Happy Home Paradise:
- Purchase the DLC Directly: You can buy the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC directly from the Nintendo eShop for $24.99 USD. This gives you permanent access to the DLC, even if you don’t have a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: This option provides access to Happy Home Paradise as long as your subscription remains active. If you cancel your subscription, you will no longer be able to play the DLC unless you purchase it outright.
Important Prerequisites Before Diving In
Before you pack your bags for the archipelago, make sure you’ve met these in-game requirements in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
- The Resident Services building must be fully constructed (not a tent).
- You must have your own house (not a tent).
- You must have completed the DIY workshop event.
Meeting these milestones unlocks the content and triggers Lottie’s arrival on your island, inviting you to join the Paradise Planning team.
Is the Expansion Pack Worth It?
Whether the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is “worth it” depends on your individual gaming habits. Consider these factors:
- Do you enjoy retro games? The N64 and SEGA Genesis libraries are a major draw.
- Do you want the other included DLC? The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is another valuable addition.
- How long will you play Happy Home Paradise? If you plan to invest a lot of time in the DLC, the subscription could be more cost-effective than a one-time purchase.
- Do you need Nintendo Switch Online for other games? The standard online features are part of the package.
- Can you benefit from a family plan? The family membership option can be a significant cost saver if multiple people in your household play Nintendo Switch games online. Sharing a family plan significantly reduces the annual cost per person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Happy Home Paradise and the Expansion Pack
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to address common concerns and provide more detailed information about accessing and enjoying Happy Home Paradise:
1. What exactly is Happy Home Paradise?
Happy Home Paradise is a paid DLC expansion for Animal Crossing: New Horizons that allows you to design vacation homes for villagers on a tropical archipelago. You work for Paradise Planning, a resort development company run by Lottie. You’ll choose locations, customize the interior and exterior of homes, and even influence the weather.
2. How do I download Happy Home Paradise if I have the Expansion Pack?
Open the Nintendo eShop on your Switch. Search for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise“. Even though it will show a price, there will be an option to download it for free if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Alternatively, you can navigate to the Nintendo Switch Online section in the eShop and download it from there.
3. What happens if my Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership expires?
If your membership expires, you will lose access to the Happy Home Paradise DLC. To continue playing, you’ll need to either renew your Expansion Pack membership or purchase the DLC separately.
4. Can I transfer my Happy Home Paradise progress if I switch from the Expansion Pack to purchasing the DLC?
Yes, your progress will be saved to your Animal Crossing: New Horizons save data. If you decide to purchase the DLC outright after playing it through the Expansion Pack, you can pick up right where you left off.
5. How much does the Happy Home Paradise DLC cost if I buy it separately?
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC costs $24.99 USD when purchased directly from the Nintendo eShop.
6. What is included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?
The Expansion Pack includes: Nintendo Switch Online features, Nintendo 64 games, SEGA Genesis games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass.
7. What are the benefits of having a Nintendo Switch Online membership, even without the Expansion Pack?
The standard Nintendo Switch Online membership provides access to: online play for compatible games, cloud saves for game data, a library of classic NES and SNES games, and the Nintendo Switch Online app for voice chat and other features.
8. Can I play Happy Home Paradise offline?
Yes, once downloaded, you can play Happy Home Paradise offline. However, you will need an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, and you’ll need to connect online periodically to verify your membership.
9. Is there an end to the Happy Home Paradise storyline?
While there’s no definitive “end,” the main storyline progresses as you design more vacation homes and build facilities on the archipelago. After designing around 30 homes and completing key facilities, you’ll unlock a special event featuring DJ KK. However, you can continue designing homes indefinitely after that.
10. What is the currency used in Happy Home Paradise?
You earn Poki, a special currency, by working for Paradise Planning. You can use Poki to purchase furniture and other items in the Paradise Planning office. And as you progress, you can convert POKI for Bells.
11. Can I use items from Happy Home Paradise on my own island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
Yes! As you progress in Happy Home Paradise, you’ll unlock the ability to use more design features on your own island, and Wardell’s catalog will become available.
12. How do I unlock the ability to remodel villagers’ homes on my main island?
After designing a certain number of vacation homes in Happy Home Paradise (typically around 30), you’ll unlock the ability to remodel your island villagers’ homes by talking to Tom Nook.
13. What kind of customizations can I make in Happy Home Paradise?
You can customize: the location of the vacation home, the exterior and interior design, the furniture, the yard, and even the weather.
14. How much does the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack cost?
A 12-month individual membership costs $49.99 USD. A 12-month family membership (for up to eight accounts) costs $79.99 USD.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of video games?
You can explore the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org to find research, articles, and resources on the educational benefits of games and game-based learning. This organization explores how games can foster learning, creativity, and problem-solving skills, demonstrating the valuable role of games in education and beyond. You can explore how the world of education has changed and continues to change at the Games Learning Society through their work at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
In conclusion, Happy Home Paradise can be enjoyed either by purchasing it or by subscribing to the Nintendo Online Expansion pack, both providing different routes to access all the features of the game.