"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game called Anime Life Sim recently garnered attention for resembling a blatant Animal Crossing clone.
• The game seems to mimic the latest entry in Nintendo's series, Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
• Aside from having similar visuals, Anime Life Sim appears to feature a gameplay loop that closely mirrors that of ACNH.

A new indie game that recently appeared on the PlayStation Store has sparked significant interest due to its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing. The upcoming title, Anime Life Sim, appears to be a direct clone of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

The Animal Crossing franchise has inspired numerous games over the years. Some titles have drawn broader inspiration from Nintendo's series, while others have more directly adopted its elements. However, games that outright copy the franchise are less common, yet Anime Life Sim stands out as an example. This indie game, developed and published by IndieGames3000, which boasts a diverse catalog of titles, was recently listed on the PlayStation Store, drawing immediate attention for its uncanny similarity to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Echoes Animal Crossing

The resemblance between Anime Life Sim and ACNH extends beyond visuals. The PS Store description of Anime Life Sim echoes the essence of Nintendo's 2020 Switch exclusive, touting a "charming social simulation" where players can build and decorate homes, befriend animal neighbors, and engage in daily activities such as fishing, catching bugs, gardening, crafting items, and discovering fossils—all core mechanics in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Legal Considerations: Game Rules vs. Visuals

According to long-time patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules are unpatentable globally, meaning there's no legal barrier to copying any game, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the situation becomes more complex with visuals. Art style, character design, and certain graphical elements can be protected under copyright law in many jurisdictions. Should Nintendo decide to take action against Anime Life Sim, it would likely focus on the visual similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Nintendo is known for its litigious nature within the gaming industry. However, it remains uncertain whether the company is actively considering pursuing legal action against Anime Life Sim, especially if the game has yet to catch Nintendo's attention. Meanwhile, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release, with its PS Store page leaving unclear whether it will be available on the PS4 in addition to the PS5.