Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
A picture of a Nintendo 3DS console next to several of the best 3DS games and Nintendo cards.
Games The 25 best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are now some of the best-selling Pokemon games of all time
Pokemon Gold and Silver
Pokemon The best Pokemon games, ranked from worst to best
GamesRadar+'s upcoming Switch games for 2026 banner image shows a big woman looming over another character in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Kanan Yuki in Digimon Story Time Stranger, Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol 2, and a trainer in a battle in Pokemon Champions
Action Games Upcoming Switch games for 2026 and beyond
Tomodachi Living The Dream
Simulation Games I love Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, but having no Switch 2 version is a mistake
Pragmata Diana
Action Games Pragmata hits 2 million sales after Capcom's tease of its potential future as a franchise
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
Games The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot of cat villager Punchy cooking with a pan
Games The best Switch exclusives to make sure you have in your library
A human ditto jumping in the air during Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia is already in the top 5 best-selling Pokemon spin-offs, with around 20% of Switch 2 owners buying the cozy sim
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon The ultimate Pokemon Pokopia guide for restoring the world around you
A trainer looking out at the ocean during the trailer for Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves: Everything we know about the next Pokemon game so far
Official Hori marketing image of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Quilted Medium Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2 - Celeste and the Starry Night.
Accessories Hori has unveiled a new batch of Animal Crossing Switch 2 accessories that are so cute, I feel starry-eyed
Pokemon Pikachu
Adventure Games The 10 best games like Pokemon for the discerning trainer
The best NES games: a screenshot of collection of NES games and a Nintendo console.
Games The 10 best NES games of all time
Best Mario games
Super Mario The 15 best Mario games of all time
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Simulation Games
  3. Animal Crossing
  4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizon is now Japan's second-biggest selling game of all time

News
By Vikki Blake published 9 August 2020

Only the Gameboy's Pokemon Red/Green/Blue has sold more copies in Japan

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Animal crossing new horizons fireworks
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

We already knew that it's one of the most successful Nintendo Switch launches ever, but now Animal Crossing: New Horizons has broken another record, becoming one of the best-selling games in Japanese history, second only to Pokemon Red/Green/Blue.

According to the Twitter account Game Data Library, as at June 30, 2020, New Horizons had sold 7,150,000 copies, making it the biggest single SKU game released in Japan but still behind Pokemon Red/Green/Blue and Pokemon Gold/Silver. 

However, since then Animal Crossing: New Horizons has reportedly sold another 350,000 copies, pushing sales to 7.5 million and eclipsing Gold/Silver entirely in just four months and creeping ever closer to Pokemon Red/Green/Blue (thanks, NE).

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Ditto and Squirtle working together to water dry grass in Pokemon Pokopia Pokopia sold 2.2 million copies in less than a week, already making it one of the best-selling Pokemon spin-offs ever
  • A human ditto jumping in the air during Pokemon Pokopia Pokopia is already in the top 5 best-selling Pokemon spin-offs, with around 20% of Switch 2 owners buying the cozy sim
  • Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are now some of the best-selling Pokemon games of all time

Animal Crossing: New Horizons becomes the 3rd all time best selling game in Japan, only behind the first 2 Pokémon games.It became the best selling game on a single SKU, breaking the 30 year old record of the original Super Mario Bros.The game is barely 4 months old. pic.twitter.com/MuL8pefyvrAugust 6, 2020

Now it's thought to be "just" 2.5 million copies behind Pokemon Red/Green/Blue – which consists of three games, of course, not one – which means it's now entirely possible that New Horizons might just become Japan's best-selling game. Ever. Amazingly, it's already topped the Japanese sales of Super Mario Bros., Brain Age 2, and even Tetris.

"This is an Animal Crossing game through and through, and although that comes with some time-based frustrations, that urge to just spend 'five more minutes' on your island deepens with every passing day," wrote Sam in our GamesRadar+ review. "As your island evolves and starts to drip-feed fresh things to discover and see, you'll have the urge to check up on your toe bean-boasting critters on a daily basis more than ever before. 

"Animal Crossing: New Horizons has perfected the gameplay loop the series is famed for, and somehow manages to keep its steady pace relevant in a world where there are plenty of genre rivals. Prepare yourself for spending many a year to come with Tom Nook and co."

Check out our 22 Animal Crossing: New Horizon tips to know before you start.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Vikki Blake
Vikki Blake
Social Links Navigation
Weekend Reporter, GamesRadar+

Vikki Blake is GamesRadar+'s Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Destiny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter. 

Read more
Ditto and Squirtle working together to water dry grass in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia sold 2.2 million copies in less than a week, already making it one of the best-selling Pokemon spin-offs ever
 
 
A human ditto jumping in the air during Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia is already in the top 5 best-selling Pokemon spin-offs, with around 20% of Switch 2 owners buying the cozy sim
 
 
Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are now some of the best-selling Pokemon games of all time
 
 
a ditto human sitting on some logs with pikachu and pichu
Pokemon Pokopia Metacritic score not only makes it 2026's highest-rated game, but the best Pokemon title of all time
 
 
Pokopia screenshots on Switch 2
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia sends monthly Switch 2 sales flying by 154% in the UK
 
 
A screenshot of Isabelle doing the daily announcements on an Island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Simulation Games As Animal Crossing turns 25, I love how Pokemon Pokopia and Tomodachi build on its cozy life sim legacy
 
 
Latest in Animal Crossing
Photo of the original Switch box of New Horizons with a pair of Switch 2 Joy-Con sitting on top.
Animal Crossing Woot has dropped the Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition to a record low at the most perfect time
 
 
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing: New Horizons update fixes a bunch of bugs and DLC issues – but most importantly, adds a special gift
 
 
Animal Crossing characters look up at the moon
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing helped me process grief, and I'm not alone: "Visiting her island has brought me a lot of peace"
 
 
Close up photo of the Brewster toy set from the Animal Crossing Happy Room Collection.
Toys & Collectibles I put together a tiny Animal Crossing room thanks to these adorable Re-ment blind boxes, and now I'm obsessed
 
 
A widescreen image of the Animal Crossing PC port
Animal Crossing Unofficial Animal Crossing PC port is here, offering a widescreen 4K experience
 
 
A player character sat surrounded by books in a cozy room in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing: New Horizons update ensures Timmy and Tommy never let you out of their sight again, stops fence cloning
 
 
Latest in News
Psychonauts
Xbox First-party Xbox studio Double Fine is unionizing
 
 
Black and white shot of stunned Fortnite character
Battle Royale Games Epic knows everyone's afraid "AI is going to take all our jobs," but the goal is efficiency
 
 
Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 YouTube hack yanked days after players find a way to watch videos in a free battle royale game
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Withers, a mummified corpse-like man with gray features and golden adornments
Baldur's Gate One Baldur's Gate 3 fan is on a mission to complete the weirdest collection in the RPG
 
 
Imogen Poots in Outer Range
Comedy Shows Chronology of Water and Stranger Things stars set to lead new TV show based on popular comic
 
 
Exodus screenshot
RPGs Mass Effect hasn't been great in "a long time," but Exodus can fill the gap according to Hasbro CEO
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Kill Team: Terror on Devlan Red Terror model against a dark background
    1
    Kill Team Terror on Devlan is a gripping solo or co-op Warhammer challenge that truly tests your mettle
  2. 2
    First-party Xbox studio Double Fine is unionizing
  3. 3
    Out of respect for Slippy Toad, I need you to play the OG Star Fox 64 on an actual N64
  4. 4
    Nintendo Switch 2 YouTube hack yanked days after players find a way to watch videos in a free battle royale game
  5. 5
    Epic knows everyone's afraid "AI is going to take all our jobs," but Fortnite dev insists the goal of AI "is to make us more efficient"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...