Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life-simulation game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, released worldwide on 20 March 2020.1 The latest entry in the Animal Crossing series, it became a cultural touchstone of cozy gaming and one of the best-selling games on its platform: Nintendo's investor-relations data lists 49.91 million units sold as of 31 March 2026, second among all Switch software behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.2

Gameplay

The player relocates to a deserted island and gradually shapes it into a personal paradise — exploring, gathering and crafting materials, decorating a home and the island itself, and befriending animal residents, all at their own pace.1 Up to four residents of one island can play simultaneously on a single console, and up to eight players can gather on one island through local wireless or online play.1

Development and release

Nintendo released the game exclusively for Switch on 20 March 2020.1 It continued to grow after launch: the free Version 2.0 update — announced for 5 November 2021 — added Brewster's café The Roost, Kapp'n boat tours, gyroids, an open-air market on Harv's Island, cooking recipes and island ordinances.3 The paid expansion Happy Home Paradise released the same day for $24.99.1

Reception

New Horizons sold 11.77 million units in its first twelve days (by 31 March 2020), which Nintendo called "the best start ever for a Nintendo Switch title."4 At the 2021 BAFTA Games Awards it won two categories: Multiplayer Game and Game Beyond Entertainment.5 Its launch weeks — coinciding with the start of global COVID-19 lockdowns — are discussed in depth in the wiki's cozy game history section.

References

  1. Nintendo. "Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch" — Nintendo.com. Retrieved 9 July 2026. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  2. Nintendo Co., Ltd. "Top Selling Title Sales Units — Nintendo Switch Software" — Nintendo Investor Relations (as of 31 March 2026). Retrieved 9 July 2026. ↩

  3. Nintendo. "Free update (Ver.2.0) for Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be available on 5 November." — Nintendo News. Retrieved 9 July 2026. ↩

  4. Nintendo Co., Ltd. "Fiscal Year Ended March 2020 — Financial Results Explanatory Material" — Nintendo Investor Relations, 7 May 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2026. ↩

  5. Game Rant. "BAFTA Games Awards 2021 Winners Announced" — Game Rant, 26 March 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2026. ↩