Summary
Animal Crossingwas conceived as a role-playing adventure where the main action takes place inside a dungeon. However,a pivotal decision to shift the focus towards a non-linear life simulatorcompletely transformed the game’s direction. This change not only redefinedAnimal Crossingitself but also had a lasting impact on the genre, making it a critical and commercial success loved by fans while drawing a broader, non-traditional audience.
Carrying the themes of family, friendship, and community,Animal Crossingencourages players to relax and enjoy a peaceful escape. Its simple yet addictive gameplay has made it a staple in the casual gaming genre. When the firstAnimal Crossinglaunched, the gaming landscape was largely console-focused. But as technology evolved, mobile gaming carved out a significant space in the market. With the convenience of gaming on the go, casual games have found a perfect home on mobile devices, offering fun, accessible experiences anytime and anywhere. GivenAnimal Crossing’s enduring popularity, many mobile gamers are eager to enjoy similar titles on their phones. To help meet that demand, here are a few of the best mobile games that capture the spirit ofAnimal Crossing.
When looking for entries similar toAnimal Crossing, one of the first criteria to look for is the visual appeal of the game, andForagerpasses that test with flying colors thanks to its cute and simple design.Forageris a 2D open-world gameinspired by elements from games likeAnimal CrossingandStardew Valley. From exploration to farming or crafting, everything can be done by the players. Starting with an empty base, players gather, store, and manage resources to build a base as they see fit.
The game also brings some aspects ofAnimal Crossing, like the purchase and acquisition of land that not only grants ownership but also opens doors to new locations in the game. The game also provides a challenge in the form of dungeons for the players, where risks taken are rewarded. The game is a one-time buy with no other in-app purchases, giving it a clean gameplay experience for a mobile game.
Games likeAnimal Crossingare all about a cozy adventure, andHello Kitty Island Adventureembarks players on one such journey with Hello Kitty to restore an abandoned island back to its former glory. The open-world adventure revolves around the theme of friendship as players enter a gorgeous world teeming with adorable creatures, delicious food, and many secrets.
From the graphics to the sound and the gameplay,Hello Kitty Island Adventureis packed with cozy vibesand ambiance that will soothe the nerves of players while playing the game. Filled with 80+ heartwarming quests, the game provides enough content that will last players hours before arriving at the end. Meeting the super-cute characters from the Hello Kitty world, players can bolster their friendships and invite them to adventure alongside as they witness something new happening on the island. The hidden puzzles, relaxing gardening, and critter collecting activities keep the players engaged while changing the shape and form of the island into something better. Players can even team up and enjoy the game together with their friends, making it a great alternative to check out when looking for something likeAnimal Crossing.
PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android,PS4, Xbox, MacOS, tvOS
Genre(s)
Life simulation game, Indie game, Adventure game, Casual game, Simulation Game
Publisher(s)
Spry Fox, Netflix, The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild
When hearing ‘Camping on a haunted island’, many might expect a thrilling survival experience where each step needs careful consideration.Cozy Grove, however, does the exact opposite with its gameplay as it takes players on a haunted, ever-changing island. Playing as a spirit scout, the duty of players is to wander the island’s forests every day, find hidden secrets, and help the soothing ghostly residents.
The game is about spreading kindness to everyone, even those who are lost.Cozy Grove: Camp Spiritasks players to help the cute, ghostly bears find the peace they missed in life. The game also comes with a multiplayer mode where players can connect with fellow spirit scouts and exchange gifts through mail.Cozy Groveoffers immense customizability as players can turn the haunted island into their humble abode. The life sim brings cute surprises and spooky seasons with it, and players can pour hours into it because the job of a spirit scout is never done.
iOS, Android
HyperBeard
Tsuki’s Odysseyis the oddest entry on this list, considering how the game plays itself. UnlikeAnimal Crossing, where players are in full control of their character,Tsuki’s Odysseyplays like a passive game. Immersing players in the world of Mushroom Village, players spend time with Tsuki and his oddball friends.
One important thing to remember in the game is that Tsuki is not a pet that can be controlled by players. However, players can come and check on the game to find something new and exciting happening in the town. The game is simple yet packed with minor details that aren’t noticeable at first glance. As players interact with quirky characters and decorate the serene world, they collect memories and moments that make the experience quietly unforgettable.
Sky: Children of the Lightis quite a different game when compared with the likes ofAnimal Crossing. However, the satisfaction of exploring their unique world is the same when talking about the serene flow and intuitive feel of the game. Keeping things simple,Skyis an easy game,inviting players to float through a breathtaking world, discover its secrets, and form bonds with others. The best proof of this is that the game uses zero dialogue to interact, yet communicates with the player with ease. The social sim has no set objective as users float around in its mesmerizing world, finding things to do and making friends.
The game welcomes players with a gentle embrace, offering a calm that almost feels as if the game has a healing effect on the players. Beyond its comforting ambiance,Skyoffers engaging content - from seasonal events and delightful puzzles to a rewarding sense of discovery that makes every moment meaningful.
29th June 2020
POOM GAMES
Casual games are often about escaping the routines of everyday life, andCat Forest: Healing Campdelivers just that—a peaceful getaway where worries fade. WhileAnimal Crossingis beloved for its diverse animal characters,Cat Foresttakes a unique approach by turning the entire cast into adorable feline companions, creating a charming and cozy world for players to unwind in.
Putting players in charge of a cozy campsite, the game lets them step into the paws of a cat who gathers materials, farms, builds facilities, and enjoys quality time with visiting guests.With its relaxing gameplay and soothing soundtrack, it’s a perfect escape, especially for those who find joy in watching cat videos for hours on end. This might just be the purr-fect way to scratch that itch.
Adventure game, Life simulation game, Action game, Strategy Video Game, Simulation Game
AVIDGamers, Shanghai Huiyue Network Technology Co., Ltd.
For those seekingAnimal Crossing-like experiences on mobile, many titles might be locked behind a paywall, but for anyone unable to make that purchase, free alternatives likeHarvest Townoffer a charming and worthwhile experience.
Replicating the well-known pixel style,Harvest Towninvites players to embrace a fresh start in a charming rural setting. The game is packed with features—from building a farmhouse and raising animals to exploring a vibrant world and forming bonds with its quirky residents. Connecting the game with reality, players can interact with other players in the game via events like online multiplayer racing and market trading, which makes the game livelier. The interactive weather of the game and surprises hidden in its world keep things enticing as players fill out the colors in the world ofHarvest Town.
Cozy games offer a chance to escape the hustle of everyday life, andMy Time at Portiadelivers just that. Players take on a new identity as they work, craft, and build their way toward restoring Portia to its former glory. The journey begins with a rundown workshop inherited from a father, and every moment spent in the game contributes to rebuilding the town and exploring its beautifully crafted world.
Much likeAnimal Crossing,My Time at Portiapresents a cozy world filled with charming NPCs, inviting players to form meaningful connections. Whether it’s socializing with townsfolk or taking a ride in a hot air balloon, there’s no shortage of wholesome activities. While the mobile version may not match the visual quality of its PC counterpart, it performs admirably within its technical limits. Blending elements of RPG gameplay,My Time at Portiaencourages exploration, combat, crafting, and creativity, offering plenty of reasons to keep playing long after the credits roll.
Upon its release,Stardew Valleywas an instant hit. Created by a sole developer, the game is a fruit born out of intense passion and love, offering seemingly endless content to the players. As the in-game journey shifts to the peaceful countryside, so too does the game transition to mobile devices, bringing the magic ofStardew Valleyto a wider audience of gamers on the go.The core mechanics and relaxing aesthetic of the game remain largely unchangedfrom its PC and console counterparts. Everything blends together seamlessly, and it’s easy to lose track of time once the journey begins, with just a few hand-me-down tools, some coins, and a patch of land to call home.
From clearing overgrown fields to raising animals, customizing the place called home, and even starting a family,Stardew Valleyoffers a wealth of activities. For those seeking a bit more excitement, there are also dungeons filled with dangerous monsters and valuable treasures waiting to be discovered. The touch controls inStardew Valleymay take a bit of adjustment for those used to playing with a keyboard or controller. However, mobile-exclusive features—such as pinch-to-zoom, auto-select, auto-battle, and a fishing mechanic that feels even more enjoyable on touchscreens—give the mobile version a distinct charm. All these differences makeStardew Valleya standout experience on mobile and a worthy alternative for anyone seeking anAnimal Crossing-like game on the platform.
When looking for something similar toAnimal Crossing, it is wise to check whether the game itself is available for mobile or not. In the case ofAnimal Crossing, while most of the titles are available for consoles like Nintendo or PC,Animal Crossing: Pocket Campsite Completeis a game released by Nintendo for fans of the game who want to enjoy the game on their mobile phones.
The originalPocket CampsiteCompletewas released in 2017,but its online service was discontinued in 2024. However, this does not mean that players can not enjoy the game on mobiles anymore, asPocket Campsite Complete, a paid, complete offline version of the game, still exists for players. The game won’t receive any more updates, but on the flip side, it can be enjoyed without an internet connection. The game is packed with tons of content released over the course of seven years of its production, which means thousands of items to decorate the world, plenty of characters to interact with and befriend, all the while players build their campsite.
