Arab News Japan

US consumers are spending more money and time on Japanese-based Nintendo Switch consoles, with one of the top-ranking games being Animal Crossing: New Horizons, according to gaming industry NPD Group.

Americans have spent on average over ¥1.2 trillion yen or about $10.9 billion USD on video games. The reports cover the first quarter of 2020, between the months of January and March.

NPD Group reported that it was a nine percent increase from 2019. Most of the increase took place in the final third of the first quarter, which is when the coronavirus COVID-19 quarantine began in full effect in the US.

US citizens and residents and have been sitting at home since the middle of March, only recently re-opening public areas.

According to reports, game sales and microtransactions made ¥1 trillion yen or $9.6 billion USD of the total figure.

“Top titles included Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Doom Eternal, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, NBA 2K20, and MLB The Show 20,” NPD stated.

The Nintendo Switch console saw the most sales, totaling to ¥83 billion yen or $770 million USD. However, it has been difficult to find the console at its retail price, but Nintendo has since promised that more consoles are on the way.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons also became the fastest-selling Nintendo game, contributing to the Switch’s increased sales.