Around the holidays, video game sales often trend toward more family-oriented fare, or cozy games that everyone can play together. Even in a year like 2020 where nothing felt very normal, that same feeling is still present when looking at what titles sold well during the holiday period. Nintendo of America's president has talked about Animal Crossing and the unexpected success the game has seen, so it should come as no surprise that Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and the enduring hit Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, continue to dominate sales charts.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons came along at just the right time. As the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up, limiting the amount of social interaction people could take part in, the comfortable town building game found an audience looking for an escape. That Animal Crossing was one of Google's top search terms of 2020 makes sense, considering the game sold millions of copies, and received plenty of media coverage even in non-gaming spheres.
The game continued to reign supreme during the traditionally slow period after most of the December holidays wrap up. Animal Crossing occupies the top spot on the UK boxed sales chart for the first week of January, according to GamesIndustry.biz, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe hanging around at number 2. Animal Crossing is still relatively fresh, having launched last year, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sitting right behind it is a little more surprising. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's sales have grown year-over-year since releasing in 2017, and seeing the game continue to be a top seller is fascinating.
The numbers on the UK chart also reflect those seen in Japan during the same period, as covered by Japanese publication Famitsu. Over there, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe were only bested by the popular Momotaro Dentetsu franchise during the holiday period.
People keep coming back to Animal Crossing: New Horizons not only because the game is a relaxing escape, but also because it continues to be updated with new content. In-game events and seasonal changes give the game a fresh feel, while smaller touches like new fish in the Animal Crossing waters give players something to do at all times.
The Nintendo Year In Review that Switch owners received last month, letting players know what games they played the most for the year, likely had Animal Crossing and Mario Kart appear on many players' lists. If early January sales are any indication, they could show up in 2021's review as well.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are available now for Nintendo Switch.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
