The Last of Us Part 2 is not only 2020's biggest launch to date, it's also Sony's second-biggest launch ever

Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part 2 has become 2020's biggest launch to date across both retail and digital sales, and is reportedly the second-biggest launch ever in the US.

According to The NPD Group (thanks, Comic Book), The Last of Us Part 2 dominated sales in June 2020, and topped the debut performances of other 2020 releases like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Final Fantasy VII Remake. It also now reportedly holds the record for the US's second biggest-ever launch, too, second only to Marvel's Spider-Man.

As for cumulative sales across the year? NPD doesn't share the actual sale data, but it reports Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Animal Crossing: New Horizons have out-performed the post-apocalyptic action game thus far, but Animal Crossing released four months ago, while Modern Warfare released way back in October 2019. The Last of Us Part 2 has barely been out a month but has already sold more copies than other triple-A releases such as Resident Evil 3 and Final Fantasy VII Remake.

PlayStation had already announced spectacular sales for The Last of Us Part 2, with Naughty Dog confirming the sequel had shifted 4m copies during its opening weekend, making it the fastest-selling PS4 exclusive ever worldwide. At the same time, UK sales figures pegged the game as the biggest video game release of the year so far, pipping fellow Naughty Dog exclusive Uncharted 4 to be the fastest-selling PS4 exclusive here in the UK.

"The Last of Us Part 2 was made possible thanks to the efforts of the hundreds of talented and passionate developers here at Naughty Dog," creative director Neil Druckmann wrote at the time. "We can imagine no greater honour than seeing that same passion mirrored by the people playing it. Thank you for helping us reach this amazing milestone."