Famitsu reports that Animal Crossing: New Horizons have sold over 1.8 million physical copies in Japan during its first three days on sale- making it the most successful opening week for a Nintendo Switch game.
Launching worldwide on March 20th, the Famitsu states that the game sold an estimated 1,880,626 physical copies (not including digital sales). Due to the launch day falling on a Friday, this means the game’s “launch week” was three days.
Twitter user Nibellion (a user dedicated to gaming news) claims that Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield sold 1,364,544 copies during their launch week, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sold 1,238,358 copies.
Famitsu also claims that between March 16th to March 22nd, that 392,576 Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite Consoles sold. Famitsu also report this is the best week the console has had for sales since launch.
Aside from being sold over the weekend, the news is rather surprising, considering the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Officials worldwide have encouraged people to self-isolate at home, or practice “social distancing.” It may be very well due to this outbreak that so many have sought to get the game before any lock-down order came in place.
However, according to The Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering (who are mapping the virus’ spread [1, 2]), Japan is ranked 27th in the nations with most cases (at 1,193).
Combined with Japan’s culture of using face masks when ill, and generally avoiding physical contact in public, it seems Japan may already be practicing “social distancing.”
As such, they may have been able to carry on with relative normalcy, and still acquire the game. Dedicated fans willing to brave the risks for the game are also a contributing factor.
Even so, the outbreak has resulted in all Japanese schools closing early before the student spring break, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games being postponed to 2021.
We will keep you posted as we learn more sales figures about the game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on Nintendo Switch. You can expect our review soon!
Image: Nintendo
