What are the best games like The Sims? In our guide, we'll bring you the top Sims game rivals for portable platforms, showing 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.
Here are the best games like The Sims:
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
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.
Read our Animal Crossing: New Horizons review to learn more.
Stardew Valley
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
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.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Apple Arcade, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
If you're a Disney fan, welcome to your new addiction. In Disney Dreamlight Valley, you rebuild Dreamlight Valley back to its former glory while rescuing Disney characters and solving the mystery of the Forgetting. All the non-negotiable life-sim tasks are part of the routine - cooking, gardening, crafting, foraging, mining - but you get to do them with your favorite characters. You build friendships with Elsa, Anna, Belle, Ariel, and all the others and get more quests as your friendships develop -and more beautiful princess dresses as rewards, hey oh.
It's cute, heartfelt, and you can never get bored because new content and characters get added regularly. Take a look at our Disney Dreamlight Valley review and our guide on Disney Dreamlight Valley to make sure the game holds no secrets from you.
Youtubers Life 2
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
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
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
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.
Cattails
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
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.
Two Point Hospital
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
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
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds, Apple Arcade
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.
The Game of Life 2
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android, Apple Arcade, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
While The Game of Life 2 isn't your traditional life sim game, it is a simulation of life. This digital reimagining of the classic board game lets you speed around a colorful board, experiencing life's milestones and building your ideal future.
Live out your dream life on the standard board, or take on fantasy roles in Fairytale Kingdom or Haunted Hills. Customize your player peg and continue past the standard end state of retirement. There are so many ways to play The Game of Life on handheld, including as part of your Apple Arcade subscription.
Wylde Flowers
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Apple Arcade, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
If you like your life sims with a touch of witchy magic, and without having to buy the relevant expansion pack, check out Wylde Flowers. This cozy, indie life sim combines the small-town social aspects of The Sims with farming, potion-crafting, and a ton of diverse characters.
Plus, the entire game is voice-acted in English, so you actually get to hear Tara's conversations with the townsfolk. There's a sequel on the way, too, called Wylde Society, so there's plenty to look forward to if you enjoy your time on Fairhaven.
SimCity BuildIt
Portable platforms: iOS, Android
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.
Virtual Families 3
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android
When looking for a mobile equivalent to The Sims, you can't go wrong with Virtual Families 3. It's clear that the title draws 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.
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 to improve your experience.