Animal Crossing Clone Lands on PlayStation Store

Anime Life Sim: A Striking Resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons

A recently unveiled PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has sparked considerable debate due to its uncanny similarity to Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). The game appears to be a near-identical clone, mirroring not only the visual style but also the core gameplay loop.

While Animal Crossing has inspired numerous games, Anime Life Sim stands out for its direct replication of ACNH's mechanics. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, the game's PlayStation Store listing highlights features strikingly similar to Nintendo's hit title. The description boasts a "charming social simulation" where players build and decorate homes, befriend animal villagers, and engage in activities like fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting – all key elements of ACNH.

Legal Considerations: Gameplay vs. Visuals

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game mechanics are generally not patentable. However, the legal landscape changes when considering visual aspects. Elements such as art style, character design, and specific graphical elements often fall under copyright protection. Should Nintendo choose to pursue legal action against Anime Life Sim, the focus would likely be on the game's visual similarities to ACNH.

Nintendo's history of aggressive legal action is well-documented. Whether they will target Anime Life Sim remains uncertain. Currently, the game is slated for a February 2026 release on PlayStation 5, with PS4 compatibility yet to be confirmed. The striking resemblance to ACNH, however, continues to generate discussion within the gaming community.