Trying Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream from the Perspective of a Sims Player

Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream has been out for a few months now, and its reception has been incredible. Having already shown strong sales and praise from the community, players really are loving this latest installment to the Tomodachi Life series.

However, it extends past just figures and numbers. This latest version for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 has not only seen many long-time players return to the franchise, but it has also introduced a new wave of players to the cosy chaos that is Tomodachi Life.

Now, if you haven't already guessed, I, myself, fall into that latter category of being a new player to the franchise.

As the title suggests, this is going to be a documented collection of my impressions of the latest Tomodachi Life game as a first-time player but also from the perspective of a The Sims player. Maybe also for science too.

A Quick Tomodachi Life History

The Tomodachi Life series of games began life in 2009 as a Japanese exclusive release, however, it was called Tomodachi Collection instead. It was praised for its unusual approach and game features but generally well received by players.

Fast forward to 2013, and the first sequel was released both in Japan and internationally for the first time. While only available in Japan at launch, it took a year to localise the game, ready for its international release in 2014. Likewise, the game was received well both in Japan and internationally. Opening the door to new players globally and expanding the love for the franchise.

Then nothing. Nothing for over 10 years.

While the 2013/2014 release was still highly popular with many during this time, the launch of the first Nintendo Switch made many hope to see a new Tomodachi Life game be released. Still nothing yet. The 3DS version of the game remained strong during this time, with a resurgence of excitement when finally Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was announced in 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2.

The social life simulation management game was back and ready to hit the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, uniting players both new and old in new ways. More chaos, more drama and more unpredictability awaited players heading off to this new adventure.

Chaos Awaits The Sims Player

Up until now, my own experience with the Tomodachi Life series has mainly been limited. I knew about the Nintendo 3DS game but never played it. I think that was more to do with the fact that at the time I didn't really know what it was truly about and was interested in other games.

However, during the original Nintendo Switch era, hearing so many fans of the games talk about the game so highly, I knew I needed to understand why. I looked into it, watched countless videos on YouTube, and soon understood why it was so popular. Upon hearing Tomodachi Life was receiving a sequel and seeing its reveal trailer, I was incredibly excited and curious to see what the game was all about.

Fast forward from when the trailer was initially released back in March 2025 to the game's launch, and I was truly ready to play and cause some chaos on my island. However, it got me thinking.

For years, I had solely been a The Sims/life simulation player. Explored the likes of Animal Crossing New Leaf and New Horizons but never a game just like Tomodachi Life. I had expectations, but at the same time, while I was excited to jump in, I was feeling nervous at the same time.

I couldn't have been more wrong, though.

Although my own start with the game was a little rocky. I restarted a few times. Picked up the game and then didn't touch it for weeks. Finally, I began to make some progress however, at the same time, I'm only just scratching the surface of the game.

That in itself is fine because I'm still slowly making my way into the game. Taking in every detail and experiencing what I can in the process.

Yet, despite the unpredictable start and making some steady progress, I was now finding my feet properly in the game.

I have a host of characters, albeit just very basically designed, bringing life and chaos to my little island. I've unlocked a handful of the locations and am currently working on trying to make the island more lively with decor, but it's coming together. My Mii's homes are slowly coming to life thanks to the T&C Reno Renovation Centre. Fashion-wise, well, their looks are okay, and I've been picking up more outfits from Where & Wear. I keep feeding my Mii's random meals from the supermarket, including some questionable-looking self-created meals, and now diving into Studio Workshop, where I can show off my rather poor design skills.

Is This The Sims in a Weird Kind of Way?

Yet, despite all this. Despite the rocky start and the uncertainty as to whether I was playing the right way or not, I was having fun! The freedom to choose what you can add and do in the game (within reason) and the way you can truly customise your experience with your Miis, building relationships, making friendships, moving in, creating more drama and having children. It's features like this that had me thinking more about how, in a way, Tomodachi Life is similar to The Sims.

You're caring for your Miis just in a different way. Building up an island and their homes in a more pre-built way. Looking after their needs, shaping their futures just from a different perspective. It's very similar in a roundabout way, and there's nothing wrong with that because both franchises are their own in their own right but also very unique and different from one another at the same time.

I don't find myself in The Sims discovering one of my characters has fallen over and I need to fetch someone to help (or just leave them, your choice), but then to find out that these two Miis have now started to fall for each other. It's just something that makes Tomodachi Life random and different from The Sims.

I'm gifting my Miis more real-life objects, alongside those which I've designed myself, which, while you can gift in The Sims, there's more variety and freedom to an extent as to what those gifts are in Tomodachi Life.

Guiding relationships, conversational topics, themes, nicknames and more, you feel and see a closer connection between characters. Sometimes you'll find them out and about doing their own thing, even if it's just looking at a patch of grass or hanging out with another Mii staring at the sky.

A Worthwhile Journey So Far

Needless to say, I've been living for the chaos and random events happening on my Tomodachi Life island. While I can see a lot of similarities between Tomodachi Life and The Sims, this is by no means a comparison between the two. In fact, while similar, they are also so very different at the same time.

As for the game itself, I have a long way to go until my island is looking a lot more established, but for my handful of Miis so far, my island is thriving. I love each of their personalities and the way they interact with each other, and I'm excited to see how my game unfolds.

Another point to touch on while talking about Tomodachi Life is the community creations and their own events from what's happening in their own games.

The creativity, the detail and the talent shown through their creations of Miis and the objects they've created in the Studio Workshop are outstanding, and that's something I look up to. Maybe one day I'll be able to create something that looks better than something that might have been created in Microsoft Paint, although that's a story for another day.

If you've been on the fence about Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, I highly recommend checking the game out. There is a free demo on Nintendo Switch which gives you a great insight and introduction to Tomodachi Life, and that save data will move over to the full game if you wish it to when/if you purchase the full game.

For now, stay tuned to more Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream articles from Life Sim Games in the future right here on Sims Community!