It’s been five years since Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrived on the Nintendo Switch. It has become one of the console’s most popular games. Though fans are still finding plenty to do in the game, many are eager to hear confirmation of a new Animal Crossing game. Rumors suggest we might finally get that news in the coming months. But either way, there’s gaming time to fill until a new Animal Crossing arrives.
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Though nothing is quite like Animal Crossing, there are plenty of great cozy games that can fill the void. Whether you want to decorate, give gifts, or interact with cute and quirky animals, these games all have something to offer fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. And because I know the Animal Crossing crew love our Nintendo Switch consoles, every game on the list is available on Switch.
5. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Price: $59.99 ($62.58 for Switch 2 Version)
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Be warned, coziest of gamers – there is combat in Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. But it also offers adorable cartoon graphics and a requests system that gives serious Animal Crossing vibes. If you want a game that lets you build up a village over time, meeting more friends along the way, Fantasy Life i will deliver.
This game has more plot momentum than an Animal Crossing game, with a story to follow. But there’s also plenty of time for getting up to side quests, building, and decorating activites. That has made it pretty popular with fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. And yes, there is a multiplayer co-op option for that same online connectedness.
4. Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
Price: $49.99
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2
The Story of Seasons games are the modern farming sims from the original creators of Harvest Moon. And the newest game, a remake of Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar, just arrived to give us all a new game to sink into. Though a farming sim at its heart, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar has a friendship mechanic that will make Animal Crossing fans very happy. You also get to spend time selling things at the bazaar, so you’ll be the Tom Nook of this town (but with a better reputation, don’t worry).
Grand Bazaar features a similar open-ended playstyle and “go at your own pace” vibe like that of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. There’s no combat or quick reflexes needed. Just farming, fishing, crafting, and building your Zephyr Town into the best village it can be.
3. Littlewood
Price: $14.99
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
This adorable life sim winds up on just about every list of cozy game recommendations, and for good reason. Part farming sim, part city building sandbox, and all adorable pixel art, Littlewood is a beloved indie staple full of crafts, hobbies, and light RPG elements.
The Animal Crossing comp here definitely isn’t the art style, which is quite different. But you’ll get to build up your city and fulfill requests for Townsfolk, which is very Animal Crossing coded. Littlewood has a little something for everyone thanks to its varied game mechanics, and it’s well worth enjoying while you wait for more Animal Crossing.
2. Disney Dreamlight Valley
Price: $39.99
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
In my opinion, Disney Dreamlight Valley is one of the more similar gameplay experiences to Animal Crossing. Things operate on real time, you’re constantly completing fetch quests for charming and quirky villagers, and you can design and decorate your town to your heart’s content. All this with the backdrop of familiar Disney characters.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is definitely the kind of cozy game where you need to love the grind. Scrooge McDuck will be after your coins much like Tom Nook forever wants your Bells, but you’ll have fun working to pay your debts.
1. Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Price: $39.99
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, iOS
Hello Kitty Island Adventure comes by its Animal Crossing comparisons honestly. This game has a similar overall vibe, with cute 3D art and a cast of villagers forever asking for favors. But in this case, those villagers are also beloved Sanrio characters.
The gameplay loop of Hello Kitty Island Adventure is bound by real-time, with daily tasks, requests, and activities to complete. You decorate various visitor cabins to suit requests, much like designing an Animal Crossing campsite in Pocket Camp. In all, this game will likely be the most similar to playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons while you wait for news of the next game in the series.
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