Animal Crossing: New Horizons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Animal Crossing: New Horizons across the outlets.
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Nintendo Is Beating EA At Its Own (Cozy) Game
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream offers a surprisingly deep and engaging life simulation experience, surpassing The Sims 4 in its ability to make Mii characters feel alive through extensive customization and external personality displays. While simpler than The Sims 4, its polished features, seamless autonomous behavior, and charming world provide a refreshing alternative in the life-sim genre. The game's success highlights a potential learning opportunity for Electronic Arts, as players express dissatisfaction with The Sims 4's monetization and bugs.
Nintendo Is Beating EA At Its Own (Cozy) Game
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream offers a surprisingly deep and engaging life simulation experience, surpassing The Sims 4 in its ability to make Mii characters feel alive through extensive customization and external personality displays. While simpler than The Sims 4, its polished features, seamless autonomous behavior, and charming world provide a refreshing alternative in the life-sim genre. The game's success highlights a potential learning opportunity for Electronic Arts, as players express dissatisfaction with The Sims 4's monetization and bugs.
Famitsu software sales (4/27/26 – 5/10/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released Japanese video game sales data for the weeks of April 27 - May 3 and May 4 - May 10. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Pokemon Pokopia were the top-selling titles on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 respectively. The data includes sales figures for a variety of games across multiple platforms.
Japanese Charts: Tomodachi Life Overtakes Pokopia As The Best-Selling 2026 Release
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has become the best-selling physical release of 2026 in Japan, selling nearly 300,000 units during the Golden Week sales period. The Nintendo Switch 2 console also saw strong sales, moving over 214,000 units. Pokémon Pokopia remains a strong seller, securing the second position.
Famitsu sales (4/27/26 – 5/10/26) – big numbers for Nintendo Switch 2
Famitsu has released Japanese hardware and software sales data for the period of April 27 to May 10, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales with over 214,000 units, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was the best-selling software title. The data reflects two weeks of sales due to recent Japanese holidays.
Nintendo clarifies hardware price rises were due to sustained component and market costs
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that recent hardware price increases for the Nintendo Switch were due to sustained rises in component costs, foreign exchange rates, and oil prices, which are expected to continue. He emphasized that maintaining hardware profitability is crucial for the sustained growth of their dedicated video game platform business. Furukawa also highlighted the strong performance of the Switch and the importance of software like Animal Crossing and Pokémon Pokopia in driving hardware sales and user transitions.
Petit Planet Preview - Bursting with Charm and Character
Petit Planet, a new cozy life simulation game from HoYoverse, offers a charming and character-driven experience heavily inspired by the Animal Crossing series. The preview highlights its polished mechanics, including resource gathering, crafting, and character interaction, with a focus on slow, steady progress and accessible gameplay suitable for all ages. The game features a cohesive and beautiful art style, with character designs familiar to HoYoverse fans and vibrant, pastel-like illustrations.
UK software sales chart for the week ending May 9, 2026 – Tomodachi Life, Pokemon Pokopia in the top three
The UK software sales chart for the week ending May 9, 2026, shows Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Pokemon Pokopia holding strong in the top three. EA SPORTS FC 26 remains at the number one spot, with Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition and Mario Kart World rounding out the top five.
Nintendo says Switch 2 sales are picking up in the west, not concerned about momentum, “wealth of new titles” on the way
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated that Nintendo Switch 2 sales have improved in Western markets since the start of the year, driven by titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pokemon Pokopia. The company forecasts 16.5 million units sold in the upcoming fiscal year and is confident in its momentum, emphasizing the importance of upcoming system-selling titles to encourage player transitions.
UK Charts: Tomodachi Life Stands Strong As Pragmata Falls Off A Cliff
EA SPORTS FC 26 has reclaimed the number 1 spot in the UK boxed charts, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream remains strong at number 2. Pragmata and PlayStation 5 exclusive Saros have seen significant drops in their chart positions this week.
Nintendo maintenance schedule – May 10, 2026 – Animal Crossing, Switch cloud saves
Nintendo has announced a system maintenance schedule for the week of May 10, 2026. The maintenance will affect Animal Crossing: New Horizons' island backup feature and Nintendo Switch Online cloud saves. The downtime is expected to be brief, occurring overnight on May 11th into May 12th across various time zones.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – May 10, 2026 – Pokemon Pokopia holds on strong, Mixtape debuts
The latest Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of May 10, 2026, show Pokemon Pokopia retaining the top spot. Newcomer Mixtape debuted in the top three download-only games. The charts list the top 30 overall games and top 30 download-only titles available on the platform.
[Let’s Talk] Are you sold on Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo unexpectedly announced a remake of Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for release on June 25, 2026. The remake features updated graphics, new cutscenes, and a 4-vs-4 multiplayer Battle Mode. The article prompts readers to share their thoughts on the announcement and whether they plan to purchase the game.
Nintendo Switch And Switch 2 Updated Sales Numbers Announced
Nintendo has released updated sales figures for the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, as of March 31, 2026. The Nintendo Switch has sold 155.92 million units, while the Switch 2 has reached 19.86 million units. The report also details sales for top-selling first-party titles on both consoles.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 9, 2026 – Tomodachi Life holds off Smash Bros. again
The latest Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 9, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot, fending off competition from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Wax Heads made its debut in the download-only top ten.
Nintendo's President Apparently Wants Switch 2 To Match The Long Lifespan Of The Original System
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa aims for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 to have a long lifespan, mirroring the success of the original Nintendo Switch. This strategy involves building the user base and growing hardware and software sales over time, similar to how evergreen titles sustained the original system.
PS5 Will Soon Be Cheaper Than Switch 2 in Japan, But Is It Going to Make Any Difference?
The PlayStation 5 will become cheaper than the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan starting May 25th, following a ¥10,000 price increase for the Switch 2. Despite this, the PlayStation 5 continues to significantly underperform in Japanese sales compared to the Nintendo Switch, largely due to a lack of exclusive titles that appeal to the Japanese market.
Legendary Nintendo Designer Takashi Tezuka Announces Retirement After 42 Years
Legendary Nintendo designer Takashi Tezuka, instrumental in shaping franchises like Mario and The Legend of Zelda, announced his retirement effective June 26, 2026, after 42 years with the company. Tezuka, who joined Nintendo in 1984, directed titles such as Super Mario Bros. 3 and A Link to the Past, and served as lead producer for the Mario series for two decades. The announcement was made alongside Nintendo's financial results, which also noted a planned price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Legendary Zelda director and Nintendo designer legend Takashi Tezuka is retiring after more than 40 years
Veteran Nintendo designer and director Takashi Tezuka is retiring from the company on June 26th after more than 40 years of service. Tezuka joined Nintendo in 1984 and was instrumental in the development of numerous iconic titles, including the original Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario World, later serving as a producer on games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Talking Point: Will You Be Getting A Switch 2 Before The Price Goes Up?
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 by $50 USD / €30 starting September 1st, bringing the new RRP to $499.99 USD / €499.99. This follows a previous price hike for the original Switch in the US and Sony's recent PlayStation 5 price increases. Despite the higher cost and lack of a major exclusive title, the Switch 2 has sold nearly 20 million units in its first 10 months.
