'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Wins Game Of The Year At Tokyo Game Show

After the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to stay home, one game provided an escape and helped alleviate the loneliness of many after being cooped up indoors. Now, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” has been recognized for that and more.

This year’s Tokyo Game Show named “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” for the Nintendo Switch as the Game of the Year in part because of the role it played in providing comfort for so many when the pandemic took the world by surprise, Eurogamer reported.

The game was one of several recipients of the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) excellence award. Other winners included “13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim,” “Death Stranding,” “Fire Emblem: Three Houses,” “Monster Hunter World: Iceborne,” “Nioh 2,” “Persona 5 Royal,” “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield,” “Ring Fit Adventure” and “Yakuza: Like a Dragon.”

A special award was given to “Dragon Quest Walk,” while the Global Award: Foreign Product went to “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.”

The Best Sales Award and Global Award: Japanese Product were awarded to “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield.” Hempuli’s “Baba is You” was given the Game Designers Award.

“Because we were forced to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a slow-life experience in this game in which you can do everything freely became a comfort to people all over the world,” a press statement said.

“Communication with close friends through the game and interaction with other players in events went beyond the bounds of a single game, and the game showed the power of entertainment from Japan, acquiring overwhelming support from many users of all ages, from children to senior citizens, in general voting, and won both the Award for Excellence and the Grand Award with unanimity,” the statement continued.

Prior to this, Xbox head Phil Spencer expressed his admiration for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” when he appeared on Gary Whitta’s talk show inside the game called “Animal Talking.” Spencer also heaped praise on the game in his opening remarks.

In addition to this honor, the Minister of Economy’s Trade and Industry Award at the Japan Game Awards was also given to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” This honor is reserved for “an individual or organization that has made a great contribution to the growth and development of the Japanese computer entertainment software industry.”

Since its March release, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” has sold over 22 million copies, making it the second highest-selling game on the Nintendo Switch.