A new PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has sparked controversy for its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). The game appears to be a near-identical clone, mimicking not only the visuals but also the core gameplay loop.
While numerous games have drawn inspiration from Animal Crossing, Anime Life Sim stands out for its blatant imitation. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, the game's PlayStation Store listing explicitly describes gameplay features virtually identical to ACNH: building and decorating homes, befriending animal neighbors, fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting. These mechanics are all hallmarks of ACNH.
The legal implications are complex. Game mechanics themselves are generally not patentable. However, the visual similarities—art style, character design, and graphical elements—could potentially infringe on Nintendo's copyright. While Nintendo is known for its aggressive legal actions, it remains uncertain whether they will pursue action against Anime Life Sim.
Despite the controversy, Anime Life Sim is currently slated for a February 2026 release on PlayStation 5, with PS4 compatibility yet to be confirmed. The game's striking resemblance to ACNH continues to generate discussion within the gaming community.
