Nintendo Reveals Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Sold 31 Million Copies and Switch Has Overtaken DS’ Sales

Published 02/02/2021, 5:24 AM EST

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In its recent financial earnings release, Nintendo revealed that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has sold over 31.18 million copies worldwide. The fact that the game was released less than a year ago only makes this feat more impressive. Games released in previous fiscal years also continued to sell well in these nine months, led by Animal Crossing’s 19.41 million units.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons eyeing the top spot

The game ranks second in the top-selling Nintendo Switch games of all time. Furthermore, New Horizons has overtaken fan-favorites like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (22.85 million), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (21.45 million), and Pokemon Sword/Shield (20.35 Million) in sales and is breathing down the neck of the best-selling Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (33.41 million).

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Given the rate at which Animal Crossing is growing, it will soon take the top spot.

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons released in March 2020. Many people attribute the success of the game to the fact that it was released during the pandemics’ peak. However, Nintendo has done an incredible job with the seasonal updates for the game.

Independent analyst Benji-Sales revealed that New Horizons is the first console-exclusive title to sell 30 million units in a year.

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Nintendo Switch Outsells the Timeless Nintendo DS

Additionally, the report reveals that the Switch has overtaken the Nintendo DS in sales. The switch sold 79.87 million units in 3 years compared to the DS’ 75.94 million since 2011. Unsurprisingly, the Switch lags behind the sales of the Wii (101.6 million) and handheld consoles like the Game Boy (118.7 million) and Game Boy Advanced (81.5 million).

Nintendo Switch hardware sales reached 24.10 million units in this time period, which is a 35.8% increase year-on-year. Software sales reached 176.10 million units, which is a 43.0% increase year-on-year.

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The future looks bright for Nintendo in terms of both hardware and software sales. With Animal Crossing teasing a Mario-themed update and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Bravely Default 2, and Monster Hunter Rise coming in 2021, we have a lot of quality content to look forward to.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons January Update Brings the Carnival Spirit and Seasonal Items

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Written by:

Aaron Dias

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Aaron Dias is an eSports author at EssentiallySports. Currently, he is a student at Xaviers College and is heavily invested in eSports. His interest in eSports began when he was young, with titles like FIFA, WWE, and Grand Theft Auto.
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