Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Already Exceeded Nintendo's Lifetime Sales Predictions

After more than 2 months of staying away from game media, I am slowly coming back. I am so glad that I have been experiencing ACNH with no spoilers or crazy criticisms. The game is truly great.

But, I do miss the Nintendo Life community, the great reporting that goes on this site.

We are all happy to see AC:NH do so well, and it is getting celebrities and everyone playing it.

I’m guessing the digital sales are due to the times we live in. I don’t think it would have been 50% digital if released last year. And this could see a shift to a more digital Nintendo in the future.

I still bought physical though.

Helped in no small part by Covid-19

Those digital sales don't surprise at all. I'm an avid supporter of physical releases but opted for the download due to the pandemic.

It's possibly my favourite game of all time now, honestly. And we've barely cracked the surface of its potential.

That's certainly wonderful to hear, this game certainly deserves all the love!

...I just hope that all these digital sales won't have Nintendo thinking about making more and more games digital-only though. Please let us keep the physical option!

....or, y'know, if you really need to go more digital, at least give your system bigger capacity to actually store all that stuff on.

It's not only best game of the year by a long miles, it's among the best of all time. Nintendo are the gods of gaming.

Also, digital is the best, it's good for the environment and gives more money to the amazing developers and not greedy middlemen.

And people are worried that Nintendo isn't announcing anything new? Haha, they haven't need to! They knew this game was going to drop like a megaton..

@PretendWorking haha been thinking the same tbh, it's a great game but I wouldn't say it's game of the year as to me persona 5 Royal and final fantasy 7 remake have been better, though animal crossing would come in 3rd but there's still 7 months left.

@dugan

"But, I do miss the Nintendo Life community, the great reporting that goes on this site."

Don't worry, no great reporting took place while you were gone.

Covid 19 has played HUGE part in these sales numbers and that goes for other games too, especially the digital sales

@mesome713 God's of Gaming? I wouldn't go that far

@playstation_king No game has changed culture like Animal Crossing has this year. That's why it's easily best game ever made. Those jrpgs you mentioned are old and none really care for them. They bring nothing new to gaming. Just boring story games. People rather watch a movie or read a book.

@mesome713 what? No one cares for JRPG's lol you do know that Xenoblade is a JRPG? And zelda? And Tokyo mirage sessions? Or are they OK because they are made by your gods... Nintendo

@playstation_king Zelda is clearly not a JRPG...

@Monkeido is it not an Rpg?

@Monkeido I thought it was an Rpg it certainly played like one, open world map, side quests, loot, changeable weapons and armor

@playstation_king Zelda is amazing, Breath of the Wild was one of the best and freshest games ever made. Nintendo is just that good. I'd take Zelda over boring story games anyday. Xenoblade has amazing and deep combat, one of the best and most innovative rpgs of all time.

@mesome713 I agree that breath of the wild is an Amazing game and xenoblade 2 was also amazing and I'm playing through the dlc now, but Nintendo aren't the only ones who make great Rpg's, persona and final fantasy are also amazing games, just because they aren't on Nintendo doesn't mean they aren't great

@mesome713 and I play animal crossing for an hour every day and yeah it's a nice chill game that's different from everything else I play but it's not game of the year to me, for one reason alone is that after I have my house looking the way I want it and ive got my island looking the way I want then what is there left for me to do?

Atleast on the 3ds animal crossing I had online minigames I could jump in a play when I wanted to

I think that AC is the perfect digital game - it's something I like to play for maybe 15-20 minutes a day, but I don't want to be swapping cartridges in and out the whole time. I have a good few games on cartridges, but those are real 'binge' games that I enjoy playing for hours at a time for a little while then I'm done with them (Mario Odyssey, Breath of the Wild).

@echoplex

It also helps that this game is a "life simulation", when real life sucks so much right now. It gives people something to do each day.

Then again, most hardcore Animal Crossing fans live a simulated life even during the best of times, so who really knows what's going on with the sales.

@playstation_king The Zelda games are action-adventure games, always have been.

@Monkeido I agree that the previous zelda games were action adventure games but breath of the wild played more like an Rpg, only thing missing was a level up system

It went insanely viral as the virus got bigger and bigger in the USA, but the numbers are incredible regardless

@playstation_king It's still classed as an action-adventure game. I don't think anything can ever be classed as a RPG without a levelling system.

not surprised Animal Crossing is one of Nintendo top tier franchises that just sells by the millions with ease and when the last main Animal Crossing game was 7 years ago the fan base was ready for New Horizons

@mesome713 I'm willing to bet though that AC won't be winning any GOTY awards outside of Nintendo themed sites. Don't get me wrong its a great game i'm playing daily but its certainly not one of the best of all time and its not even the best AC game.

The reason I went digital with ACNH is simple: it's a game that I've played (often multiple times) every single day since its release, and which I can easily see myself playing at a similar rate indefinitely, even if eventually only for a few minutes a day. In a situation like that, having to swap out cartridges is far more trouble than it's worth.

I've begun to structure my games purchases around how often I'll likely play them long-term, how best to expedite multiplayer sessions that might include multiple games, and overall replay value when deciding whether to go physical or digital. Most of my first-party Switch games are physical, but certain titles simply make sense to have ready to play at the push of a button.

I love it when videogame publishers underestimate the demand for a beloved franchise (as long as they actually give said franchises a chance, cough, Sega, cough), and I hope that this will prompt Nintendo to strengthen long-term support for ACNH more than whatever they already have planned. There's a practically bottomless amount of potential content and ideas that could be applied to and expanded upon this game over the rest of the Switch's life cycle.

I didn't expect it to be SUCH a monster. We're talking about a 30 millions LTD kind of beast here.

That’s incredible 💰

@PretendWorking mesome also puzzles me.

Im surprised it’s only 50%. You’d think digital media would be the standard by now.

I bought AC digital too, mostly because by the time i decided to buy it (I hesitated for a bit), there were no physical copies left in stores near me.

...and for a "Play a bit each day"-game like AC, not having to swap cartridges is a bonus, too.

I got my digital copy before the lockdown - this game, like say, Mario Maker 2 is one you want ready to go all the time – not just when you remember to bring the right cart.

So there were 2 reasons for the high digital sales I think - because of the pandemic and because it's a game very suited to digital.

@playstation_king

Persona 5 Royal is just 5 with extra stuff, i wouldn't qualify that for GOTY. Same with Xenoblade DE. Final Fantasy VII is a remake that does a bad job at being a remake imo, it isn't even a complete game. The original is better, just uglier.

Whether or not you like AC that much is irrelevant, it's definitely going to be the biggest game of the year both in terms of sales and relevancy, everyone and their mom is playing this game and talking about it and you won't see another game trend like New Horizons this year.

Also, mesome is clearly a troll. I wouldn’t waste my breath on him/her.

@Monkeido

BotW does have RPG elements, and while your comment that without a levelling system it cannot be considered an RPG does have a lot of merit, it's more of a hybrid of an RPG/Action Adventure game.

For example, you can upgrade your gear in BotW, but you cannot in a traditional action adventure like Uncharted. Tomb Raider was originally more like an action adventure/platformer but in the reboot they included a levelling skill system to include RPG elements. Assassin's Creed has become an RPG hybrid as well.

Then you've got FF VIII that didn't even need the levelling system, as it barely does anything and is more about junctioning the correct magic to your stats to make your character more powerful.

In recent years, defining an RPG has become much more complicated as so many games utilise many elements from the system that it's hard to say what does and doesn't count. Same with JRPGs that now use a lot of systems from RPGs, and don't rely on their old systems.

When you have a genre that contains games that are so drastically different, from Dark Souls to Borderlands, Fallout to Horizon Zero Dawn, the waters get very muddy. Throw in the JRPGs as well and you might as well be swimming in oil. 😂

@mesome713 FFVII Remake, Doom Eternal, XC:DE, and Persona 5 Royal would like a word with you.

Hmm so conspiracy theorists will now be saying Nintendo created covid 19!

I'm hooked! I just paid off the final house loan!

My favourite thing about Nintendolife is that no matter what the news page says, you can always find the most hilarious arguments in the comment section.

@playstation_king,

Digital sales are strong because people are not going out, plus the virus would have affected physical supplies as well, some are suggesting the games sales are down to the virus, which I do not agree with, this game with the Switch user base, and the fact the Nintendo Switch first party games tend to have a high sales ratio, plus the fact it has a very wide appeal from avid Nintendo gamers to casuals meant it was always going to do well, no matter what.

@weisske,

I Live to do battle with these idiots.

@playstation_king,

I would say Nintendo are the gods of video gaming, while at the same time taking nothing away from other developers or Sony or Microsoft.
Nintendo offer a different type of gaming while some may not like it it's a welcome change from the other two, I also own an Xbox One, and love the games on it, the marketplace needs a bit of variety and at the moment I am addicted to Animal crossing.

Friends and I hosted a fishing tourney where we had to drop 10k down. Winner takes all. I lost both tourneys. But this week we are gonna play musical chairs. Its been planned and tested out. I can't wait. Gotta pit 10k in the pot again tho. Wish me luck. We get about 5 to 7 players. I'm also making a maze and my friends will put down 10k to see who finishes first, battle royale type. There is a lot you can do with this game if you get creative.

@mcpedwards,

I saw something on YouTube, where a player had made an assault course on his island, looked a lot of fun.

Admittedly I bought 2 copies for the house. I’ve never owned an animal crossing game and my 9 year old wanted it so we started a week ago. It’s exactly what I thought, everything fun about playing a life sim and kind of Zelda-lite with no dungeons and fighting. But bug collecting, fishing, etc... I thought I’d be playing catch up to him, but he keeps telling me I’m getting ahead of him

@johnvboy I suppose it depends on the gamer, people who like calmer, relaxing and casual games would prefer Nintendo whilst others who like action, drama, and a good story with amazing graphics would prefer Sony or Microsoft.

I prefer a both that's why I have both a ps4 and a switch and tbh it's quite refreshing switching between different sets of games/styles

@playstation_king,

Same here fella, although I tend to alternate between Sony and Microsoft for my hardcore console, it's all entertainment at the end of the day.

@johnvboy that sounds like a great idea. May look into it. We're all brainstorming new ideas. I like the idea of doing something like Survivor and voting others off the island.

I bought the game for my daughter but she finished with it. I tried to get into it but I can't. I know I'm missing something - is it just about getting nicer houses, decorations and making your town nicer? That doesn't sound that interesting to me - I just don't get it, maybe it's just not for me..

Amazing game. But really , I have had it only a little over a week and I'll have the editor opened up in a few more days.. how long will I want to play after that? IDK, but I am sure I'll get sick of playing Barbie fun house and then I'll be on to the next real quick.

@KillerBOB
"Don't worry, no great reporting took place while you were gone."
LOL, I have to admit I laughed at that a lot harder than I probably should have.

@andykara2003,

I don't think it's for you fella, my daughter likes it, but is on her i Pad most of the time.

A few months ago Nintendo apologised for delaying the game. It turns out the delay would actually release the game at the perfect time for not only the customer but Nintendo as well.

@andykara2003 it is not for everyone and that is fine. It is a life sim game and if you don't like that kind of game then this isn't the game for you. I personally find it relaxing and can spend hours crafting and designing.

I fully expected this, and not one bit of it related to covid. The Switch has been a breakout success and nearly every game they've released since launch has done 3x better than predicted. This was an eventuality, not a product of the economy which insults the games quality. It was inevitable for AC to become this big.

Hoping for a big paid DLC pack of epic proportions. I'd love more museum collections.

@johnvboy Cheers, I’ll leave it then - glad others are enjoying it.

Not surprised after the mega sales of New Leaf. An excellent game and keeps getting better after each update.

Definitely many factors go into the amazing sales! I think the game being on the Switch has given it extra appeal! Graphics are nice, flexibility of handheld or tv.
Many who quit playing animal crossing picked it up again. Pocket Camp added in some new animal crossing fans too.
And...Of course, the quarantine has caused a lot of people to look for a video game to play and this would be an easy choice!

Some surprised me with their interest in it! My husband got a copy for the lite so he can make an island, our kid usually plays on mine cuz it's more developed.
My sister in law had gotten a switch for a family/kid friendly console. She randomly texted asking if I played animal crossing. She is obsessed now too. My friend from school and I have re-bonded over it, now having a way to visit each other more (loll, I don't live in my hometown anymore so).
Its been everything and more we fans have hoped for. 🥺

@WallyWest,

Love these backhanded compliment comments, which are always backed up by the poster owning the game, and of course playing it daily, then going on to say how it won't win any awards, and is somehow not even the best in the series, give me a break fella, this game is the best in the series by far, the way you can customize your Island guarantees that alone.

I've shared and updated my personal Wish List here already, but there's another area I hope Nintendo addresses, especially given this game's unexpected popularity. There are a few QOL updates the game could definitely use as well which would shave a LOT of time wasted repeating the same actions ad nauseam by players, or simply make things like dialogue more bearable if not enjoyable.

1) Of course everyone would love to see crafting multiple items at once become a reality.
2) Being able to purchase multiple items at once (or multiples of the same item; I'm looking at you, 10-second animation/text for Nook Miles Tickets) from the ATM terminal.
3) More (MANY more, please) variations of character remarks (It doesn't take long for all those same catch-phrases and so on to become tired and make multiple characters saying the exact same thing kill any semblance of immersion), Isabelle intros, special visitor remarks (can we shorten Gulliver's whole exchange down a bit, guys?), and Villager remarks (anyone else sick of the same jokes related to one or the other of the two species of Bass you catch all the time?).
4) Would it be possible to create buildings with double-height walls and roofs, perhaps even with their own architectural theming (it would be a huge relief for players who've maxed out the rooms in their house as far as decorating)?
5) Another highly requested feature is Tool health bars, an obvious need.
6) It's time for Nintendo to rethink the "One Island per console" limitation. All those copies sold and so many of those copies are shared by families.
7) Having villagers who've moved away from your island remember you and living there. Yes, I encountered a dog, Daisy, who'd lived on my island for a LONG time before she moved away while on a Nook Miles island, and she didn't know me from Adam or recall living there. Really, would it be that hard to simply make it where they remember you and ask to come back (if you choose to carry the dialogue that far) as opposed to copy/pasted exchanges pretending they've never met you or been to your island before? Again, it's a real immersion-killer, especially given the amount of time you see some of these characters while they're staying on your island.

I'm kind of tired of people saying Animal crossing is only successful because of the virus blah blah blah.

But that's really not true, Animal crossing wasn't the only game released in March, and you don't see them pulling in these numbers.

Animal crossing was majorly successful on the 3DS. It's the 7th best selling 3DS game, even beating smash out smash Bros on 3DS.

People really underestimate Animal Crossing, like it's not one of Nintendo's top franchise.

Every Nintendo game is a real success on Switch!! Better than expected.
I think this is the best time to recover those forgotten sagas that didn't sell very well in the past (like F-Zero, Paper Mario, Starfox and so) and create a pretty ambitious new game! In Switch they'll be a success!

@AstroDev Nobody says it´s been succesful only for the virus, but you cannot deny that has to do with the HUGE success it got. If not for the covid, it would have sold around 1/4 less (still a pretty big success, of course, but not this insanity). I mean, by the end of March, in just a few days, it already sold more than the 3DS version as a whole...

@GoblinKing86 I disagree on that. There’s no doubt the game’s sales were fueled by the COVID-19 isolation impact. Coupled with the social media explosion as well, word of mouth spread so a lot of the interest in sales for the game and the Switch are also just major interest in the talk of the town.

This is no different than what happened in 1997 with FFVII and the PlayStation.

FYI I love Animal Crossing

@AtlanteanMan I like your idea number 7. Would be good to stay in touch with those who have left. Gone but not forgotten.

I have a gallery on my island with portraits of the 3 who have left so far as a memorial 😂

Toilet paper companies and AC created COVID, I’m sure of it.

Bought this (digitally) myself yesterday one of those games you don’t even realize how many hours you’re playing - pretty sure this wil top DQ11 for my most played game when I’m finally done with it.

I hope this means that they will continue to update it and fix the game issues.

I bought this digitally due to the current situation, as I would have get a physical copy myself.

Very happy for the AC fans out there. I never quite understood the games myself. I played New Leaf for a couple hours then got confused about what I should be doing — the only way I could find to earn bells was catch bugs... got really boring. What was I doing wrong?

@Magrane

The game was no doubt going to be a best seller on the Switch regardless, New Leaf was one of the best selling 3DS games and interest in the series has only increased since then.

@MysticX exactly my reason too .

“However had Nintendo released the game on mobile and tablets it could of sold 100,000,000,000” - Shyster analyst

@GoblinKing86 you are wrong if there wasnt a pandemic/isolation guarantee you people would be playing different games

@johnvboy its no the best in the series by far! nothing like the gamecube version theres things that are absent in the game freaking characters buying multiple items on the nook crafting multipple items online capabilties are a joke. please stop the comedy

I like the game but now its come to terraforming i just dont have the bells to build bridges/inclines, move houses etc and i just cant sit there and fish or catch bugs over and over again so i just put it down and havnt picked it up for a couple of weeks now.

I think under normal circumstances, it'd have eventually passed this mark.
Current circumstances definitely sped things up.

@Phostachio Oh I did not doubt that. But its current numbers as well as the rate of copies being sold is a total COVID-19 isolation influence. New Leaf gradually got their numbers over years. I think Nintendo themselves admitted that they didn’t expect this under other circumstances.

A game that involves a lot of downtime could not have had a better release timing than this.

@NintendoPok,

Don't agree with you fella, and they are adding the missing stuff over time, also why is everybody in such a rush to craft items, the system is fine, and this game just looks so good, gamecube version, and you said no comedy.

@NintendoPok,

You are so bitter and deluded fella, this game was always going to be a smash hit with the majority of fans, and let's be honest the small minority of internet complainers should hardly be taken seriously, as they will complain no matter what.

Nintendo needs to expand the game. Keep the momentum going. They need to continue to update and improve it.

@AtlanteanMan yes! They need to expand the game, remove silly limitations. ( Two player not having split screen is really really annoying!) Add content and really treat it's players well.

@NintendoPok surely you are pulling my leg? it's easily the best version, they updated the graphics they updated literally everything.