Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Released on March 20, 2020 — three days after WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic — and became the third-best-selling Switch game ever at 44 million copies. For millions of people in lockdown, their deserted island was the only place they could visit friends, attend concerts, and feel a sense of normalcy. The real-time clock means seasons change, villagers sleep, and flowers grow whether you're playing or not. Tom Nook's zero-interest home loans are the most benevolent form of debt in gaming history. It didn't cure loneliness, but it gave it a soundtrack.