Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Reveal – Sequel to a Cult Classic

Renowned for its cherished video game franchises, Nintendo prioritizes its most popular series, leaving many beloved titles dormant. However, the Nintendo Switch era has witnessed the revival of lesser-known gems like Another Code from the Nintendo DS and Famicom Detective Club from the Famicom. One series I hoped would receive similar treatment was Tomodachi Life, a quirky 3DS game starring Miis—the customizable avatars that debuted on the Wii but have since faded from the spotlight, even taking a backseat in Nintendo Switch Sports, the successor to their breakout title.

The Switch did bless us with an awesome Miitopia remaster, an RPG featuring Miis much like Tomodachi Life. This fueled my expectations for a revival in a similar fashion. Nintendo, however, exceeded my expectations fully by announcing Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, a full-fledged sequel set to launch on the Nintendo Switch in 2026. I never saw this coming, but I cannot express enough how happy I am to be living in this dream.

What is Tomodachi Life?

For the uninitiated, Tomodachi Life might seem an odd choice for a resurrection—let alone as a “One more thing” to close out the final Direct focused solely on the Switch 1—but don’t be deceived. This 3DS title sold an impressive 6.72 million copies, ranking as the 11th best-selling game on the handheld. While that pales next to the Switch’s juggernauts (thanks to the “Switch Boost”), Tomodachi Life has cultivated a passionate cult following. Fans have rallied at nearly every Nintendo event, forming summoning circles and chanting for its return.

The 3DS’ Tomodachi Life is a sequel to Tomodachi Collection, which debuted on the Nintendo DS and never made its way to the West. At its core, it is a delightfully autonomous social simulator. You create or import Miis, assign them personalities via adjustable stats, and nudge them through life as they forge friendships, romances, and rivalries in a shared apartment complex. The real magic lies in their interactions—watching Miis fall in love, tie the knot, and raise a baby, or belt out absurd, robotic concerts with lyrics you penned yourself. From quirky quarrels to heartwarming moments, there’s never a dull day.

Over time, you unlock new clothes, customization options, locations beyond the complex, and interactive items, plus minigames to spice things up. Synced to your console’s 24-hour clock, similar to Nintendo’s smash hit franchise, Animal Crossing, your Miis’ routines shift throughout the day, encouraging frequent check-ins. The 3DS’s StreetPass feature—sorely missed on the Switch—lets you swap items or Miis with passersby, adding a real-world twist to the fun as well.

What’s New in Living The Dream?

The trailer for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream reveals a departure from the original’s apartment setting. This time, your Miis will reside at an island resort—a nod to the subtitle that promises a dream vacation backdrop for their antics. This shift is a massive upgrade, offering diverse locales for natural meetups and interactions. Miis breakdancing for a plaza crowd, napping on a sun-soaked beach, or having a tussle in the streets—each scene hints at a livelier, more dynamic world. If it follows its predecessor’s pattern, expect even more areas to unlock beyond the resort.

The Mii’s themselves are getting a glow-up. While the 3DS version expanded on the Wii’s Mii Maker, Living the Dream introduces revamped models with ears (finally!) and a refined, almost cel-shaded-like build. New hair and makeup options—borrowed from Miitopia’s Switch overhaul—add flair, yet the Miis retain their familiar charm, unlike the jarring redesigns in Nintendo Switch Sports. It’s a balance of fresh and nostalgic that feels just right.

My Hopes for the Sequel

I adore Tomodachi Life’s formula—more customization, interactions, and minigames would honestly be a great sequel in its own right—but a few tweaks could elevate it further. First, I’d love more control over the Miis. Unlike The Sims, where you’re the puppet master despite some autonomy, Tomodachi Life often left outcomes up to chance. That unpredictability was charming and hilarious, but occasionally frustrating when your vision didn’t pan out. A bit more influence over their stories would strike a perfect balance.

Next, the Switch’s lack of StreetPass begs for robust online features. Visiting another player’s resort—like island-hopping in Animal Crossing—to meet their Miis and see their quirks would be a blast. Toss in multiplayer minigames, and you’ve got a recipe for endless fun and replayability.

Finally, I want Living the Dream to be a lasting experience. The original’s fresh content ran dry too soon, and with Nintendo embracing a pseudo-live-service model—think roadmaps for games like Splatoon or Mario Kart—this sequel could thrive. Regular updates with new items, locations, interactions, and customization would keep players hooked long-term. That said, I don’t want a bare-bones launch padded out later—give me a meaty, enhanced experience from day one, with updates as the cherry on top.

Conclusion

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a delightful surprise, bringing back a quirky favorite with an island twist and leveled-up Miis. It’s a modest evolution that still feels true to the original’s charm, and as it stands, this is now my most anticipated game of 2026. However, that will probably change when the Switch 2 Direct premieres. If Nintendo delivers on my wish list for Living the Dream—greater control, online connectivity, and ongoing updates—this could be a standout title that keeps the dream alive for years. Either way, I’ll be ready to follow my Miis through another round of love, laughter, and absurdity.