A PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has generated 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 direct imitation. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, the game's PlayStation Store listing explicitly describes gameplay mechanics virtually identical to ACNH: home building and decorating, befriending animal villagers, engaging in fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting.
The legal implications are complex. Game mechanics themselves are generally not patentable. However, visual elements such as art style and character design are often copyright-protected. Therefore, any legal action by Nintendo against Anime Life Sim would likely center on the visual similarities to ACNH.
Nintendo's history of legal action is well-documented, but whether they will pursue this case remains uncertain. Anime Life Sim is currently slated for a February 2026 release on PS5, with PS4 compatibility yet to be confirmed.
