Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become the best selling Nintendo Switch title in Japan, according to sales data from Famitsu.

The game sold 1.8 million physical units in its first three days on sale in Japan (making it the best opening week for a Nintendo Switch game), and analysts later claimed the game sold 5 million digital copies over March 2020 (more than any other console game in history).

Later it was revealed the game sold 11.77 million units in its first 11 days on sale, and 13.4 million in its first six weeks.

Now, Famitsu’s monthly sales data (via GamesIndustry.biz) claims that the game has sold a total of 3.9 million copies in Japan, and 1.29 million of that in April. For comparison, the game launched on March 20th. Final Fantasy 7 Remake launched on April 10th, and sold 839,000 copies in April.

Further, GamesIndustry.biz claims the previous record holder was Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with 3.7 million units in lifetime sales. Nintendo’s Investor Relation’s page on Top Selling Title Units states that as of March 31st, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has sold 18.84 million units globally.

The success of the Nintendo Switch also likely aided in the game’s success. It launched in 2017, and by January 2018 had become Nintendo’s fastest selling console in US history.

At the end of January 2020, we reported that the Nintendo Switch had sold over 52.48 million units worldwide. Sources claim that Nintendo are seeking to increase production by 10%, to work around limitations brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, and end shortages.

Likewise, the coronavirus pandemic has been attributed to Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘ success. Reasons vary from its cute and relaxing tone, to providing a sense of routine and stability at a difficult time.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is out now on Nintendo Switch. In case you missed it, you can find our review here (we recommend it!)

Image: r/AnimalCrossing, Wikipedia