SuperData, which is a sales tracking and research company part of the Neilsen Corporation, claims that Nintendo has broken even more records than initially thought with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Their analytics estimate that the latest Animal Crossing game has sold more digital copies in a single month than any other console game in history, surpassing the previous record-holder of Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII, with digital copy sales amounting to about the same launch month total as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Pokemon Sword and Shield, combined. According to a different sales data tracker, the NPD Group, Animal Crossing: New Horizons became the third-highest selling physical launch of a game in the United States of all time.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold more digital units in a single month (5.0M) than any console game in history. The Nintendo-published title broke the console record for monthly digital game sales previously held by Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII. Animal Crossing: New Horizons also roughly matched the first-month digital sales of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Pokémon Sword and Shield put together. The game’s combination of social features and a relaxing setting likely appealed to individuals stuck at home. Closures of brick and mortar stores also meant that a higher share of consumers purchased the game digitally compared to past Switch titles.

SuperData also showed that consumers were spending a record amount of money on digital video game purchases in March 2020 with gamers worldwide spending $10 billion dollars on the industry, up 11% from 2019, while data localized to the United States proved that the country alone spent $1.6 billion on games this March, with software and hardware sales up by 35% over last year.

Spending on digital games reached $10.0B in March, the highest monthly total ever. Individuals are turning to games as a reliable entertainment option during the COVID-19 crisis and are using online multiplayer to keep in touch with others. Total digital revenue was up 11% year-over-year from March 2019 ($9.0B).

Source

 

[DbGt]

I never got into animal crossing, I tried but it just didnt clicked for me... and now I dont have the time to try this new game

 

[Mama Looigi]

Bet the people who thought Nintendo/the Switch were dying are feeling pretty goood right now

 

[Foxi4]

I agree with the conclusions they drew, COVID-19 was definitely the driving force behind these results. With many stores across the world either closed or out of stock due to shipping issues and with customers stuck at home the digital storefront was often the only option.

 

[Zense]

That is pretty impressive and especially considering that sales for CODBO4 are combined for xone and ps4 which at the time of release were probably more than the number of sold switches right now.

EDIT: Right I forgot that those games had a physical release as well, but not sure how many there were compared to the digital sales

 

[Xzi]

Glad I pre-ordered physical way ahead of time.

 

[DANTENDO]

I never got into animal crossing, I tried but it just didnt clicked for me... and now I dont have the time to try this new game

Dont hav the time what you doing are you outside allday questioning people why ther not inside ther house

 

[banjo2]

How'd Roblox make the list? The mobile app was launched way back in 2013, when it was rather irrelevant.

Also, is it a bad thing that I've never heard of "Dungeon Fighter Online"...?

 

[Pipistrele]

Pretty solid, well-deserved.

 

[DbGt]

Dont hav the time what you doing are you outside allday questioning people why ther not inside ther house

No, i have classes and studying (medicine) all day

 

[gamecaptor]

I've never played any of the AC games, but I certainly can appreciate a game like that during times like these! I mean who doesn't want to have a second mortgage and be in crazy debt right now!

 

[Agusto101]

Of course nintendo is the one that sells more software that is the crítical point of a console, ps4 even with a super hyped remaster and incomplete of ff vii cant match.. . Poor guys, and the best thing is that we are only talking about animal crossing imagine the others franchises same history the entire life hahaha.

 

[jt_1258]

Animal crossing is just an absolute juggernaut isn't it...

 

[Something whatever]

With everyone being locked up in the house, this is one of the best pass time type of game

 

[Foxi4]

One thing worth noting besides Animal Crossing here is the excellent performance of Half-Life: Alyx in a market presumed to be very narrow due to the limited adoption of VR. So much for the "not worth the effort, most people don't own a VR headset" excuse. I hope developers will take notice of the fact that this emerging market *can* generate great sales provided the product is attractive.

 

[matthi321]

i dont get it, it looks so boring, the switch must have a lot of casuals who are used to these simple games on mobile

 

[banjo2]

i dont get it, it looks so boring, the switch must have a lot of casuals who are used to these simple games on mobile

Professional Smash players like it though, are they casuals?

 

[Foxi4]

Professional Smash players like it though, are they casuals?

To be fair, yes.

 

[matthi321]

Professional Smash players like it though, are they casuals?

no but they are few

 

[Deleted User]

hear me out I've got nothing against animal crossing but I hope gta 6 outruns animal crossing in terms of sales