What are the best games like The Sims? In our guide we’ll bring you the top Sims game rivals, for Switch and mobile, we’ll show you some life sim gems that offer a level of control you can only dream about in the real world from both indie developers and AAA companies. Just, don’t get weird with it (we know you will).
If you’d rather have financial freedom over happy families, you might have a more productive time reading over our picks for the best Tycoon games. Or, if you’re looking to nurture whole societies instead of nuclear families, we’ve put together a list of the best games like Civilization so you can start on your path to global dominance. If you just want to have a good time, try our list of the best party games on mobile.
Without further ado, here are the best games like the Sims on Switch and mobile:
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Switch
Ah, the simple life. Leave the hustle and bustle of modern times behind for an island retreat in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This isn’t a holiday, though, and you’ll need to pull your weight on your island to bring in new neighbors, restore the museum to its former glory, and help Tom Nook shift his wares.
The customization options are where New Horizons shines, with almost everything on your island under your control so you can make your own slice of paradise. If you fancy customizing your devices to match your island life, head over to our Animal Crossing wallpapers guide. We also have a list of the best games like Animal Crossing, if you want to experience similar games.
Stardew Valley – Switch and mobile
As one of the biggest breakaway indie hits of the last decade, Stardew Valley is a must-play for anyone even slightly invested in the life sim genre. From farming to fishing to falling in love with one of Pelican Town’s singletons, there are few limits to what life in the valley can bring.
What’s more, Stardew Valley’s single developer has worked consistently to bring new content to the game since its release, so the once humble farming sim now has hours and hours of playability. Check out our Stardew Valley review to dive even deeper into this farming sim gem, or learn more about the newly-released Stardew Valley 1.6 update before starting up your ranch.
For some extra assistance, we can tell you about characters such as Stardew Valley’s Linus, Stardew Valley’s Shane, Stardew Valley’s Haley, and Stardew Valley’s Alex.
The Sims Mobile – mobile
You can’t get much more like The Sims than The Sims itself. This mobile port does tone down the possibilities from the main series, but has all the main ingredients to create the classic Sims hijinks, and still retains some form of quest mode.
It’s a free-to-play title, too, so if you’re not quite willing to commit to the responsibility of raising a family in the Sims 4, why not test out your domestic skills in a slimmed-down version of the original life sim.
Youtubers Life 2 – Switch
Dream big, and stream big, in the vlogging life sim Youtubers Life 2. While this one is obviously aimed towards younger audiences, it can still be fun for all, as you do your best PewDiPie impression and live your life for the views.
The goal in this game is to amass as many subscribers as you can, unlocking customization options along the way to help your channel stand out from the crowd.
Graveyard Keeper – Switch and mobile
Are you looking for more macabre moments in your life sim game? If so, Graveyard Keeper is a surefire pick for you. You’re not looking after a family of living beings here though. Instead, it’s your job to tend to the dead and their resting places, as the purveyor of the local morgue and graveyard.
There’s a ton to do in Graveyard Keeper, especially with the ultimate edition, and it’s one of the funnier games from this list, thanks to Gerry, the booze-addled skull who guides you through your new career as a mortician.
SimCity BuildIt – mobile
Swap out family planning for urban planning with SimCity Buildit, a scaled-down version of EA’s architectural simulator, Sim City. If games like Cities: Skylines are a bit intimidating for you, this is a great alternative entry point.
The slimmed-down menus and options make SimCity BuildIt a perfect introduction to city-builder games for younger fans, with less emphasis on deep mechanics and an easily approachable design element that prioritizes wonder over architectural tedium.
Cattails – Switch
If you’re feline like playing something a little different from the other titles on this list, Cattails is one of the more out-there life sims on Switch. Plus, it’s one of the best cat games too, so that’s a bonus.
If you hadn’t guessed it, in Cattails, you’re a cat. You’re no stray, though – instead, you live in a community of other cats and spend your days hunting for mice, searching for a mate, and, if you’re lucky, popping out kittens.
Virtual Families 3 – Switch and mobile
When looking for a mobile equivalent to the Sims, you can’t go wrong with Virtual Families 3. It’s clear that the title lends a lot from its inspiration, both in terms of game design and controls, but it simplifies the formula a little for those less accustomed to the genre and dials down the wacky.
If you want to indulge in a bit of domestic bliss, we couldn’t recommend this game enough.
Two Point Hospital – Switch
If your favorite parts of playing The Sims are following your Sim to work as a doctor and micromanaging the hell out of their lives, then Two Point Hospital is for you. This medical addition to the Two Point series lets you build and manage your own hospital in the weird and wonderful Two Point County.
For the super eager, check out Two Point Hospital with all of its DLC included thanks to the Switch’s Jumbo Edition, which includes the Bigfoot, Pebberley Island, Close Encounters, and Off the Grid full expansions, plus the Retro and Exhibitions item packs.
MySims: Cozy Bundle – Switch
This is the closest we’ll ever get to The Sims on Switch, and I’m not mad about it. MySims: Cozy Bundle is a 2-in-1 port of the original MySims and MySims Kingdom games from the Nintendo DS and Wii, reviving the cult classic for the modern age.
In MySims, you can create a character, meet the townsfolk, decorate your house, and more. In MySims Kingdom, you’re whisked off to a fantasy land to do, well, much of the same but with a medieval twist.
There you have it! With that list, you should have enough life sim games to keep you going for, well, life. If you still haven’t found anything that strikes a chord, have a browse of our picks for the best Switch simulation games to see some zanier options outside of the life sim sub-genre. It’s maddening that we will not get a Sims switch release.
If you’re looking for more Sims action, then our sister site PCGamesN has you covered. Check out this list of Sims 4 cheats and all the best Sims 4 mods. Then go join our countdown to the Sims 5 release date.
