UK chart data is now in for the week ending 21st March, revealing that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has had an absolutely tremendous first week on sale.
The game has debuted straight in at number one, comfortably ahead of this week's other major release, DOOM Eternal. It's been a strong week for the UK physical market all round as gamers grab new titles ready for self-isolation, but New Horizons is in a world of its own.
Gamesindustry.biz reports that the new title managed to sell more copies in its first week in the UK market than all previous Animal Crossing games combined, including major releases and spin-offs. Its launch is apparently 3.5 times bigger than Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which held the previous record, and it has enjoyed the biggest UK opening week for any single Nintendo Switch game ever (although combining sales of both Pokémon Sword and Shield places those games on top).
This information and the chart below only takes into account physical sales, so when you throw digital sales into the mix, those achievements should be even stronger.
Here's a look at this week's top ten all formats chart:
| Last Week | This Week | |
|---|---|---|
| New Entry | 1 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons |
| New Entry | 2 | DOOM Eternal |
| 4 | 3 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare |
| 5 | 4 | FIFA 20 |
| 2 | 5 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe |
| 6 | 6 | Grand Theft Auto V |
| 12 | 7 | Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy |
| 14 | 8 | Forza Horizon 4 |
| 24 | 9 | Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled |
| 14 | 10 | Red Dead Redemption 2 |
[Compiled by GFK]
Did you buy any of these chart-topping games this week? Let us know down below.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 44
That's not a surprise in the slightest. There's been so much hype around the game and rightly so. It's pretty great.
To be beating doom eternal in the first week is incredible.
I really love this game and I'm glad that so many others do too. I know so many people that finally bought Switches just to play this game. I can't wait to see the console sales figures over the next few weeks. This game is definitely bringing a new demographic to the console.
It was the perfect storm, with people staying inside due to the virus going around, a game like Animal Crossing offers people an escape and a way to enjoy the "outdoor" life without having to actually go outside. Of course it helps that the game is awesome too.
@alpacatears Yeah with this game the switch is finally getting the Persona 5 audience.
Im really please to see Doom above drivel like COD and Fifa. It deserves alot of success.
First time ive really played an AC game and im loving it. Spent about an hour just weeding on it yesterday and trying to catch a pesky spider. 🕷️
Great game to just kick back to.
Never played any AC game I’m intrigued but I’m not sure if it’s something I could get into those sales figures are amazing though and to beat a multi platform release like doom eternal is incredible
@Gs69 i didnt think id like it either but there is a definate hook to it. Its one of those games to dip in and out of. Maybe an hour in the morning and then another in the evening. Some people play it for half hour a day. Something about just slowly watching things develop at time goes by. Also catching the different fish and bugs that are all seasonally/ timel acive is pretty cool. Some fish and bugs are only active between set times of the day and a couple of months during the year. Its defenately a dip in dip out game tho imo but once you start getting more tools there is more available to do.
Have played a few AC games and this has its hooks into more than any other. Feels like they've really taken the time to perfect the formula and I'm excited to see how it all plays out.
I was waiting on reviews and then if all was well I'd pick up for my birthday next month. With all the uncertainty and prospects of having to spend more time than usual indoors, I took the plunge. It's pefect for whittling away the hours, escaping from real world stressors and still feeling like you're being productive with your time. I'm really glad it's in my collection.
@Kidfunkadelic83 thanks for explaining I have seen footage and read reviews but I always come to the conclusion it’s kind of a nothing game and I’m not saying that to troll anyone I just feel that it maybe lacks in action but it seems to be the perfect game for current times
It is the perfect game for 2020
@Gs69 i can see your point which is why i wrote off every other AC game in the past. Thought id take a punt on this one tho as it was getting good reviews and wanted to give it a chance. Its nice to play a game where i havnt got to worry about jumping on platforms, using my brain or shooting stuff too 😂
In these times, I bet the digital sales are stronger than ever. The game is awesome, glad to see both it and DOOM in the top spots. Hope we get the latter for Switch soon.
@Kidfunkadelic83 yeah could be the change of pace I’m looking for at the moment well I have just reserved it at Argos worth a try I will pick it up tonight always wanted to try it but as you say this has reviewed really well so I’m going for it cheers mate 👍🏻
Well deserved, I'm only a few days in but can see this is the best in the series. Its largely the same basic premise but with you far more involved in the construction of the island and with a lot more options to customise it
Wow! The Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy is still in the Top 10!
I'm used to seeing around 3 to 4 friends online when I'm playing. It was really crazy to see almost 20 friends online yesterday all playing Animal Crossing. Some folk who apparently haven't turned their Switch on since Odyssey came out.
I've never played an Animal Crossing game, and I don't think I'm about to start now. But I am glad to see it having lapsed players blow the dust off their Switch
@Quarth Amazon Mexico has DOOM ETERNAL Switch listed for a July 31 release, a Friday just like its PS4/XB1/PC launch. Could be just a placeholder... Or the actual date...
This is amazing news but hardly surprising given the state of the world at the moment.
I myself gave in and bought it last night (digital) and it's the first time I have ever played a AC game...absolutely loving it and already spent a good number of hours on it.
Well done to Nintendo!
If anyone wants to add me my switch code should be in my bio. Please feel free.
Doomguy is rage, brutal, without mercy. But Tom Nook. Tom Nook is worse.
Buy and sell, until it is done.
@Gs69 worst than can happen is you dont like it and cex will give you a 32 back for it in cash so you will only be losing a small sum. Good luck and i hope you enjoy it as much as i am man.
It does start slow but give it a few days and pay off your tent fee then it gets alot better.
@SmileMan64 Sounds like it's a possibility, I believe it shouldn't be too delayed.
Gotta admit, I'm surprised it beat Doom Eternal considering thats a multiplatform game.
I wonder if the current situation has anything to do with it? It would be the perfect game to play while in quarantine.
I must admit, I've not been interested in New Horizons. The only AC game I played was the DS version. Absolutely loved it, but I feel once you've played one of them, you've played them all.
Am I missing something?
@SmileMan64 my boy calls him the ruthless rip off merchant 😂
@Kidfunkadelic83 I did check the cex price to see what I would get back if I didn’t like it and thought it’s only a few quid might as well give it a go I’m hearing that a lot of retailers are closing up for a while from tomorrow so later on is probably my only chance to buy it physical
Yeah it looks like a lot of business will be closing thir doors soon. I work in the motor trade, supplying parts so we will prob be open until its forced protocol. No extra AC for me anytime soon 😂😂
Dang, Animal Crossing beat a multiplatform game. Nintendo are the kings in this beast.
It seems that the UK likes its animals this week. Not only with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but also with both Crash titles. I'm guessing the latter is quite popular.
For perspective, Doom Eternal is on multiple platforms, Animal Crossing is only on Switch. The amount of copies they had to sell to beat Doom Eternal to the top spot has to be staggering.
Animal Crossing will be the game of the year. This game is amazing, it reminds me of the fun of the Wii and GC versions.
It’s a franchise which goes strength to strength commercially with each new entry. Would rank it right up there with Mario, Zelda etc in terms of brand recognition.
It's a great game, no wonder why it's selling very well.
I can't wait to see these numbers!
Is anybody else really disappointed with the multiplayer? Just so many weird design choices that make it a lot less fun than it could be. Why not split screen and let people go where they want? Why do followers take 3 times as long to pick anything up? Why can't followers keep what they pick up? Why can't followers have their own pop-up menus or at least inventories? Why can't followers use the tool ring? Just so much unnecessary "ok drop this, pick it up, switch the leader, run to the recycle box, take it out, go where you need" when playing with my family.
Biggest UK Switch retail launches:
> Pokemon Sword/Shield: ~195,000
> Animal Crossing New Horizons: >135,000
> Super Smash Bros Ultimate: ~135,000
> Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee: ~120,000
> Super Mario Odyssey: ~85,000
> Zelda Breath of the Wild: ~60,000
> Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: ~60,000
> Luigi's Mansion 3: ~45,000
New Horizons is the 2nd biggest Switch retail launch of all time.
I thought it would be impossible for it to do well as it's only 30fps, I mean the mass buying public must be begrudgingly buying it over such an astronomic dealbreaker....
@Kidfunkadelic83 Your son is smart.
And DOOM Eternal is available on other consoles and PC. This is amazing. This game truly is a seller, and most likely a system seller as well
Anybody got a pic of Nook swimming in bells?
It prints bells
Truly deserved, really enjoying it so far, love the crafting mechanics and nook miles mini quests keeps you occupied more than the previous animal crossing games.
Just wish there were online minigames like new leaf had otherwise I see no real interest in visiting other peoples islands
I have to say, any console exclusive outselling a major AAA multi-platform release after having released on the same day is REALLY impressive.
Animal Crossing New Leaf sold ~170,000 retail + digital copies in Europe at launch.
Animal Crossing New Horizons has outperformed that launch figure in the UK alone.
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