Animal Crossing: New Horizons is breaking records. It was the best-selling game in the U.S. for March and players all around the world are addicted. It’s safe to say that New Horizons is one of Nintendo’s most successful games ever. It’s dominating the charts everywhere.
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Wondering if you can play Animal Crossing on PC? Unfortunately, no. It’s only available on the Nintendo Switch, so a huge chunk of gamers haven’t had a chance to play it yet. But fret not! There are quite a few games like Animal Crossing for PC. They can prove to be good alternatives to Animal Crossing and give a similar gaming experience that AC provides.
PC Games like Animal Crossing
These games include various features that exist in Animal Crossing such as farming, decorating, building and more. Check out this list and take your pick! Some of these games are also available on Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Android and iOS.
Stardew Valley
If you like to build, fix and renovate, then this game is for you. In Stardew Valley, your goal is to transform a farm (that you inherited from your grandfather) into a thriving one. Utilizing the resources you have, collecting new resources, maintaining your farm are just a few of the things you can do in this game. You can build a community, build friendships and even relationships! There’s a lot you can do in this game that will keep you engaged for hours. It is also one of the best tycoon games of all time. So, if you like relaxing farming simulation games, you should definitely try this out.
- PC Release Date: 26 February 2016
- Developer: Concerned Ape
- Publisher: Concerned Ape
My Time at Portia
Similar to Stardew Valley, My Time at Portia also involves rebuilding something. In this case, it’s set in a post-apocalyptic world and the player is tasked with expanding the city of Portia by gathering resources, combining them in recipes to create items and upgrading the tools. Players can also fight monsters, visit ruins and earn rewards for the same. Collection of relics and materials is also possible in this simulation RPG game. Plus, this game is visually stunning. It’s surely one of the most calming games you will ever play.
- PC Release Date: January 15, 2019
- Developer: Pathea Games
- Publisher: Team 17
Garden Paws
Garden Paws is a cute simulation game featuring animals, just like Animal Crossing. It’s relaxing, colorful and engaging. There are quite a few animals you can choose as your character in this game. Cat, horse, dog or a dragon – choose whichever animal you like. You can also customize your character by changing the face, skins and clothing items. Players can add a Museum, grow flowers and vegetables, upgrade tools, find random chests, collect artifacts and more. Garden Paws also has multiplayer, so this is a great choice if you are looking for an alternative of Animal Crossing for PC.
- PC Release Date: December 18, 2018
- Developer: Bitten Toast Games Inc
- Publisher: Bitten Toast Games Inc
Harvest Moon: Light of Hope
In Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, your story begins as your ship is caught in a storm and breaks down. You end up in a small harbor town which is deserted. It’s up to you to help rebuild the town, bring it back to its original glory and save the lighthouse. Some of your tasks will include growing crops, raising livestock and collecting materials. You can decorate your farm, participate in fishing activities and you can do some mining as well. There are even bachelors and bachelorettes that you can marry in this game!
- PC Release Date: November 14, 2017
- Developer: Tabot Inc
- Publisher: Natsume
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
In Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, players end up on a magical island which is currently being polluted by a dark, ominous fog-like creature called the Murk. The goal is to eliminate the Murk by collecting magical creatures called sprites. In this game, exploration is of prime importance. Players can farm, fish and craft items to restore the island and make it free of the Murk. There are eight environments including tropical beaches and ice-cold regions. The seasons change, there’s a day-night cycle and the flora and fauna differ as per the region.
- PC Release Date: July 18, 2017
- Developer: Prideful Sloth
- Publisher: Prideful Sloth, Merge Games, Nippon Ichi Software
Forager
Forager, true to its name, is a game where players can get resources through exploration which can then come in handy to craft various items. You can solve puzzles, craft objects, tools and make money! It’s a simple game but the progression in it will keep you hooked. The game is quite inspired from Stardew Valley, Terraria and Zelda and has included the best aspects of all of these games in it. So, if crafting is what attracts you the most to Animal Crossing, you might just want to give Forager a try.
- PC Release Date: April 18, 2019
- Developer: HopFrog
- Publisher: Humble Bundle
Doraemon Story of Seasons
If ‘Doraemon’ was a part of your childhood, then you will love Doraemon Story of Seasons. If not, there’s a reason why you might love it – it’s a crossover of the Harvest Moon video game series (now called Story of Seasons) with Doraemon. It’s a farming simulator where you will be able to farm (of course), fish, cook, catch bugs, decorate your house and do lots more fun stuff, much like ACNH. In this game, Nobita plants a mysterious seed due to which Doraemon and friends are taken to another world. This causes Doraemon to lose most of his gadgets. What happens next forms the base of this game.
- PC Release Date (worldwide): October 11, 2019
- Developer: Brownies, Marvelous
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Castaway Paradise
Among all the games listed here, Castaway Paradise is the game that is most similar to Animal Crossing. Here, you end up on an island which needs a face lift. You need to repair the buildings, pick out weeds and collect resources to get the island into better shape. Players can also catch fish, bugs, sea shells as well as grow crops, decorate the island, their home and customize their own clothing. Other villagers will give you tasks to do which will earn you points. Didn’t we tell you that this game is very similar to Animal Crossing? This is the game that comes the closest to AC in terms of concept.
- PC Release Date: May 19, 2015
- Developer: Stolen Couch Games
- Publisher: Stolen Couch Games
So, these were some games that can prove to be nice alternatives to Animal Crossing for PC until you get your hands on Animal Crossing New Horizons. Keep checking our News section for latest updates about video games!