Blatant Animal Crossing Copy Appears on PlayStation Store

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

A recently unveiled PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has sparked controversy due to its uncanny resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). The game not only mirrors ACNH's visual style but also appears to replicate its core gameplay loop.

While the Animal Crossing franchise has inspired numerous games, Anime Life Sim stands out for its seemingly direct imitation. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, this upcoming indie title, listed on the PlayStation Store, has drawn significant attention for its blatant similarities to Nintendo's popular Switch title.

A Description Too Familiar

The parallels between Anime Life Sim and ACNH extend beyond aesthetics. The PS Store description itself echoes ACNH's core features: a "charming social simulation" offering home building and decoration, befriending animal neighbors, and engaging in familiar activities like fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting. These mechanics are all hallmarks of ACNH.

Legal Considerations: Gameplay vs. Visuals

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules are generally unpatentable. Therefore, replicating gameplay mechanics isn't inherently illegal. However, the legal landscape shifts when considering visuals. Elements such as art style, character design, and specific graphical assets are often protected by copyright law. If Nintendo chooses to pursue legal action against Anime Life Sim, it would likely focus on the visual similarities to ACNH.

Nintendo's history of legal action against alleged infringements is well-documented. Whether they will pursue action against Anime Life Sim remains uncertain. Currently, the game is slated for a February 2026 release on PS5, with PS4 compatibility yet to be confirmed.