By Sagar V. Mankar 
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has now surpassed eight million physical copies sold in Japan, according to the latest data from Famitsu. This milestone comes nearly five years after the game’s initial release in March 2020, marking it as one of the most enduringly popular titles on the Nintendo Switch platform.
Notably, this milestone dethrones Pokémon Red/Green, the iconic Game Boy title from 1996, as the best-selling physical game in Japanese history. Previously, Pokémon Red/Green held the record with 7.93 million units sold. Now, Animal Crossing: New Horizons boasts an impressive total of 8,008,343 physical copies sold in Japan.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest entry in the beloved series that began in 2001. This life simulation game offers players the freedom to craft their virtual lives on an idyllic island populated by anthropomorphic characters. With no specific objectives, players can engage in a variety of activities such as gardening, fishing, and designing their dream homes, all at their own pace.
On a global scale, the game achieved remarkable success, selling over 30 million copies within its first year. It also set European sales records for Nintendo during that period. As of November 2024, Animal Crossing: New Horizons ranks as Nintendo’s second-best-selling Switch game, with over 46 million combined sales worldwide. Interestingly, physical sales accounted for approximately 16% of this total.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Despite the success of spin-offs like Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp for mobile devices, fans eagerly await news of a new mainline title. Speculation suggests that the next Animal Crossing game may coincide with the launch of Nintendo’s next-generation console, as the company may want to avoid releasing a major title late in the current Switch lifecycle. A new entry could serve as a significant boost to the upcoming console’s launch, generating excitement among both loyal fans and newcomers.
Source: Famitsu