Animal Crossing: New Horizons: revision #5

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**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)|Animal Crossing series]], it became a cultural touchstone of [[cozy-game|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.[^4] 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."[^3] 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|cozy game]] history section.

## External links

- [Official page (Nintendo)](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch/)

[^1]: Nintendo. ["Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch"](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch/) — Nintendo.com. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^2]: Nintendo Co., Ltd. ["Top Selling Title Sales Units — Nintendo Switch Software"](https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/switch.html) — Nintendo Investor Relations (as of 31 March 2026). Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^3]: Nintendo Co., Ltd. ["Fiscal Year Ended March 2020 — Financial Results Explanatory Material"](https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2020/200507_4e.pdf) — Nintendo Investor Relations, 7 May 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^4]: Nintendo. ["Free update (Ver.2.0) for Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be available on 5 November."](https://www.nintendo.com/sg/news/article/6qV9dqGZQjDjl7vNGlbmQs) — Nintendo News. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^5]: Game Rant. ["BAFTA Games Awards 2021 Winners Announced"](https://gamerant.com/bafta-games-awards-2021-winners/) — Game Rant, 26 March 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2026.