Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons is continuing its dominance, as it has now become Japan's second best selling game of all time. The previous record holder was none other than Game Freak's Pokémon Gold and Silver, which released almost 21 years ago. Meanwhile, the number one best-seller was the previous Pokémon title(s), Pokémon Red and Blue
The original Pokémon Gold and Silver released in Japan back in November 1999 and quickly became one of the best selling video games on not just the Game Boy Color, but across all fifth-generation systems (which included the original Playstation and the Nintendo 64). Despite selling less than the previous Pokémon generation, both the original Pokémon Gold and Silver and its remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are generally considered to be the best Pokémon games ever made, and have continuously been praised by fans in various ways.
After two decades in second place, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has taken the title from Pokémon Gold and Silver. Recently, Animal Crossing: New Horizon became the second-best selling Nintendo Switch title, and according to a tweet from Game Data Library, it is now also the second-best selling game in Japan, across all platforms. A follow-up tweet claims that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has sold over 7.5 million units since its release, clearing Pokémon Gold and Silver's 7.17 million.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has only been on the market for a few months, far less time than Pokémon Gold and Silver, yet it has already breezed by many other critically acclaimed titles such as Super Mario Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and done it in far less time. Game Data Library suggests that Animal Crossing: New Horizons' momentum is not dropping, meaning it could over take the original Pokémon Red and Blue for the best selling video game in Japan of all time.
Certainly, with such a dedicated and creative fanbase to keep the game alive, it is easy to imagine Animal Crossing: New Horizons eventually hitting the 10 million mark, perhaps even sooner rather than later. Using Game Data Library's information, Animal Crossing: New Horizons needs about 2.5 million more units to become the best selling game of all-time in Japan, which on paper seems doable. Considering how accessible the game is to just about everybody, and combined with the fact that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in more people playing more video games, everything is appearing to be in place for Animal Crossing: New Horizons to add yet another historical accolade to its already impressive resume.
Although, it is also possible that the game hits a point where everyone in Japan who would want to play it either already has a copy, or they cannot get their hands on a Nintendo Switch to play it. It is hard to say which outcome is the more likely of the two, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons certainly has the edge, as production on Pokémon Red and Blue ceased a long time ago while Animal Crossing: New Horizons is still early in its life cycle, and has years of support ahead of it.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now on Nintendo Switch.
Source: Game Data Library/Twitter