Animal Crossing Breaks Records in Japan

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As someone who has been a dedicated Nintendo fan since the days of the Game Boy, I can confidently say that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is nothing short of a game-changer. The sheer scale of its success, particularly in Japan where it’s now the best-selling physical game of all time, is simply mind-boggling.

It’s not unexpected that “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” has become a huge success for Nintendo. What’s astonishing, though, is the sheer scale of its popularity. In Japan, it has now dethroned previous record-holders to become the top-selling physical game ever sold, outperforming titles that held the title for decades.

These days, it’s less frequent to find people buying physical game copies compared to before, as many gamers opt for digital downloads instead. However, the fact that a certain title managed to surpass the record previously held by Pokémon Red and Green for nearly 30 years is truly commendable. For three decades, this record was held by those two games, which sold an astounding 7.93 million copies each – a remarkable accomplishment indeed!

Currently, the game “New Horizons” has surpassed 8 million units sold, according to Famitsu, a trusted Japanese source for gaming statistics. Its enduring popularity since its launch in 2020 undoubtedly played a significant role in reaching this impressive sales milestone.

As of now, Nintendo has not officially revealed a fresh installment in the beloved “Animal Crossing” series. However, speculations about a new gaming platform from Nintendo have created buzz, which might lead to some exciting news in the near future. The anticipation for this series continues unabated.

Worldwide, comparing the success of this record can be challenging due to the complexities involved in tracking physical sales, particularly outside of Japan. On the other hand, digital sales present a contrasting picture. Numerous games have surpassed the physical sales figure of Animal Crossing, suggesting a different level of popularity in the digital realm.

In Japan, the retail sales of Animal Crossing: New Horizons have exceeded 8 million copies, making it the second game to achieve this remarkable milestone. With digital sales included, total sales surpass 11 million units, setting a new record as the best-selling video game in Japan of all time.

— Game Data Library (@GameDataLibrary) December 26, 2024

As a gamer, it’s mind-blowing to think about the success of some games I love. For instance, Minecraft has sold an astounding 238 million copies, which is just incredible! GTA V isn’t far behind with a whopping 170 million sales. Other titans like Wii Sports and PUBG also have impressive numbers – 83 million and 75 million respectively. And let’s not forget Overwatch, which has crossed the 50 million mark. It’s amazing to see how much these games have resonated with gamers worldwide.

To put it simply, New Horizons isn’t lagging too far behind the top performers. With an impressive total of 46 million copies sold in both physical and digital versions, it ranks as the second most popular game on the Nintendo Switch. Only Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has managed to sell more copies.

Though it may not hold the top spots in global sales charts, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” remains an extraordinary phenomenon. By skillfully combining contemporary appeal with a delightful dash of nostalgia, it underscores that there’s still value in traditional, physical games.

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2024-12-27 16:43