Cozy game Dinkum, which has already found success on PC, is coming to the Switch as a timed-console exclusive game. Dinkum is far from the only cozy game available on the Switch. The home console/handheld hybrid is home to all kinds of games that fit the genre, including two of the most popular.

switch game like animal crossing dinkum

Stardew Valley is readily available on the Switch, and a Switch 2 version of the game was announced at the latest Nintendo Direct event. Not only that, but Nintendo's own Animal Crossing has a major presence on the switch in the form of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. One of the most popular games on the platform, Animal Crossing: New Horizons hasn't received a substantial new content update in years, leaving fans to search for similar experiences that may scratch the same itch.

A rumor holds that Nintendo will reveal a new Animal Crossing game in July 2025
Rumor: New Animal Crossing Game Could Be Announced Soon

A new rumor suggests Nintendo will announce a new Animal Crossing game before too long, as the gap since New Horizons' release continues to grow.

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Dinkum Switch Release Date

  • November 5

One upcoming game that Animal Crossing fans will definitely want to keep an eye on is Dinkum. Confirmed as a timed-Switch console exclusive at the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, Dinkum is a survival life sim game "inspired by the Australian outback" that will launch on November 5. Like many other games in the genre, Dinkum has players farming, fishing, crafting, ranching, and more, with up to 4-player co-op. Effectively Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley with an Australian twist, Dinkum has earned "Very Positive" reviews on Steam and should make a great addition to the Switch library on November 5.

Cozy game fans on Switch don't have to wait until November 5 to try Dinkum out for themselves. A demo for Dinkum is now live, giving fans the chance to try before they buy. For those that enjoy the demo, there are pre-order incentives to take into account. Those that pre-order the game can enjoy a 10% discount as well as an exclusive Battlegrounds Costume Set. Physical copies of the game will also be up for pre-order, but the exact timing of that has yet to be revealed.

dinkum switch

While the September 2025 Nintendo Direct was full of exciting announcements, it did not include the reveal of a new Animal Crossing game for the Switch 2. However, the runaway success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the original Switch virtually guarantees that a new main series entry in the beloved franchise is on the way for Switch 2, so it's just a matter of when it's announced. While fans wait for news on a new Animal Crossing Switch 2 game, they can check out titles like Dinkum to help fill the void.

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Dinkum Tag Page Cover Art

Dinkum
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Life Simulation
Survival
Crafting
Farming
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Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1
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Released
April 23, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence
Developer(s)
James Bendon
Publisher(s)
Krafton
Engine
Unity
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image of players mining and fishing in front of general store
8 Images
image of players mining and fishing in front of general store
Dinkum player fighting a Croco with a spear
Player facing off with a crocodile in the bush in Dinkum
Dinkum Using Metal Detector
Dinkum Treasure Room
garden in Dinkum with John's Goods in the background
A character interacting with chickens on their farm in Dinkum
Four players hang glide over a clif in the multiplayer mode of Dinkum
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Genre(s)
Life Simulation, Survival, Crafting, Farming