Summary
There is no denying that Nintendo’sAnimal Crossingseries isone of the most famous game franchises of all time. Rising to popularity from its conception in 2001,Animal Crossingfor the Nintendo GameCube sold 2.3 million copies worldwide.Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest addition to the franchise released in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch, has sold over 45.8 million units, surpassing the sales records of all previous titles.
Animal Crossinghas influenced titles from various gaming genres, many of which seek to capture the series’cozy, nature-focused atmosphere. The following list showcases some of thebest games inspired byAnimal Crossing, matching the same replayability and enjoyment as the beloved Nintendo franchise.
All of the following games' developers have explicitly stated, either in interviews or blog posts, that theAnimal Crossingfranchise has influenced them while making these games.
From the creators ofKindergartenandKindergarten 2,Littlewoodis an RPG simulation game where players' only goals are to convince people to stay in their town and to develop nature-centered hobbies in the meantime.Fish, gather, collect, explore, and socializewhile maintaining the title of Hero by building a thriving community.
Littlewooddraws inspiration from theAnimal Crossingseries through its town decorating and relaxed goals.The community buildingand socializing with townsfolk also closely replicate the Nintendo classic but are executed distinctly and creatively throughoutLittlewood.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventureis a relaxing exploration game that can be enjoyed at leisure with no timed goals or quests. The game provides players with an enhanced connection to nature while identifying and documenting wildlife, as they perform good deeds toaid the Mediterranean island’s environment.
Centering around building an island community,Alba: A Wildlife Adventuredraws significant inspiration fromAnimal Crossing.It sharesa relaxed gameplay style and emphasizes environmentally conscious themes. The game’s easygoing approach to goals and social interactions also reflects the influence ofAnimal Crossing.
A Short Hiketakes inspiration fromAnimal Crossingin its design and thegame’s focus on small, everyday activities. Both share the comfort of a contained gaming experience in a natural environment. Furthermore, the open-ended gameplay and player agency allow forA Short Hiketo be just as quietly endearing asAnimal Crossing.
The game’s main goal is to explore a hiking trail while speaking to other hikers and collecting items along the way. With excellent musical accompaniment, innovative travel mechanics, and expansive landscapes,A Short Hikeserves as a wonderful open-world alternative toAnimal Crossing.
Fae Farmfeatures diverse landscapes, engaging quests, and excellent DLC options.Its open world is colorful, intricate, and well-designedto enhance the gaming experience on any platform.
Similar to someAnimal Crossingtitles, particularlyAnimal Crossing: New Horizons,Fae Farmoffers multiplayer capabilities, allowing players to enjoy gaming with friends in a relaxed environment. Byinfusing traditional farming and gathering mechanics with a touch of magic,Fae Farmpresents a creative twist on classic cozy gaming.
The Garden Pathis a life simulator game thatcaters to short 10-30 minute daily gaming sessionsand can be played wherever and whenever players wish. Cycling through the four seasons in periods of 28 days, the game mixes real-time with in-game time through a 24-hour clock.
The environmental storytelling inThe Garden Pathis just as important as that inAnimal Crossing, as both create a peaceful, natural environment for players. The developers mentioned that they wished toprovide the same cozy experience asAnimal Crossingbut focused more on organic growth and resourcefulness.
ThroughoutBear and Breakfast, players play as a bear who is trying to open a bed and breakfast hotel in the woods. Players must gather important materials, manage the hotel’s guests, and complete quests from quirky characters to ensure the hotel runs smoothly and to a good standard.
A key feature ofBear and Breakfastis itsfocus on customization and player agency, which draws inspiration fromAnimal Crossing. Both provide players with the freedom to build and shape their worlds with minimal guidance or rules to follow.
Cozy Groveis a narrative-driven life sim gamewhere players fulfill the needs of bear spirits living in the titular grove, aiming to restore vibrancy and peace to the land and its inhabitants. Fishing, gathering, crafting, and customization mechanics are all utilized in creative ways to match the game’s aesthetic while still being respectful of its somewhat dark story.
The gamefeatures daily replayability, sharing similarities with theAnimal Crossingfranchise, and also includes a cast of animal characters and a real-time in-game clock. Decorate and expand the grove while building friendships in this cozy gaming alternative.
Oobletsis a quirky and charming farming/life simulator with an innovative card-game battle design. The adorable graphics, diverse design, and the use of familiar simulator mechanics makeOobletsa greatly enjoyable gaming experience for those who loveAnimal Crossing.
The developers ofOoblets, Glumberland, haveopenly recognizedAnimal Crossingas one of their major influences. The game combines creature collecting, farming, and community-building elements, drawing heavily fromAnimal Crossing’s relaxed design. In interviews, the devs have highlighted how inspired they were byAnimal Crossing’s emphasis onplayer-driven world-building and social interaction.
Spiritfareris a dark yet tasteful game about grief and heartache. The game takes players on a journey across the sea alongside Daffodil the cat, reuniting spirits with their final resting places while improving their ship.
With management mechanics,a beautiful and expansive world, and a captivating story,Spiritfareris certainly one of the best games influenced byAnimal Crossing. This influence is evident in the game’s relaxed pace, focus on building relationships, and overall cozy and calming vibes.
Stardew Valley’ssuccess has been evident since its release in 2016 when it won the Golden Joystick Breakthrough Award, and the game has sold over 20 million copies since then. Developed solo by Eric Barone,Stardew Valleyis perhaps one of the most famous farming simulators of all time.
Taking inspiration fromAnimal Crossing,Stardew Valleyperfectly captures the essence of community-building, exploration, and customization. At the same time, itmaintains enough distancefrom Nintendo’s franchise to establish itself as a truly innovative addition to the life simulation genre.
