Rumors suggested that Nintendo would at least hint at a new Animal Crossing this year. Given that the September Direct is typically the last one of the year, a new Animal Crossing announcement in 2025 looks unlikely. But despite the frankly bizarre lack of Animal Crossing, we still got news for some big new cozy games for Switch and Switch 2. Some games have been confirmed for 2026, but a few are even headed our way later this year. These are the most exciting cozy game announcements from the Nintendo Direct to keep our spirits up until a new Animal Crossing is revealed.
Not Announcing a New Animal Crossing for Switch 2 Continues to Be a Baffling Choice
Image courtesy of nintendo
At this point, it’s getting weird that we still don’t know about a new Animal Crossing for Switch 2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a massive success on the Nintendo Switch console. The fandom is huge, and it’s been 5 years since that game released. With a new console to sell, Nintendo announcing its next Animal Crossing game seemed like a given. And yet, here we are.
Unless something truly wild happens, Nintendo has to be planning for another entry in the Animal Crossing franchise. Why they haven’t yet announced the next title is anyone’s guess. Perhaps it’s still too far off, or perhaps they’re holding onto that news for when Switch 2 sales dip and need a boost. At any rate, I’ve gone into every Nintendo Direct assuming that Animal Crossing news was a given, only to walk away confused.
I may not be the biggest Animal Crossing fan compared to some, but as a cozy gamer, I can’t avoid seeing just how much people are ready for the next game. Hopefully, when it does get revealed, it will be everything that fans have been hoping for. Until then, I’m here to break down the good news you might’ve missed during the Direct while holding out for Animal Crossing News.
Cozy Gamers Still Got Some Exciting New Reveals from the Nintendo Direct
Image courtesy of The Pokemon Company
Although we’re still sans Animal Crossing news, the Nintendo Direct did have a few exciting reveals for cozy gamers. We are finally getting a cozy Pokemon Game in the form of Pokemon Pokopia, along with several other exciting reveals. In all, the state of cozy games on the Switch and Switch 2 is still looking pretty good. Here’s a quick roundup of what we’ve got to look forward to in terms of cozy games for Switch.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Release Window
Image courtesy of Nintendo
A new Tomodachi Life game was previously teased, and fans were over the moon to see this cozy series returning. Today, the release window for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was confirmed. The new cozy Mii island adventure will arrive in 2026 for the Nintendo Switch console, and it looks like it’ll be a good fit for Animal Crossing fans waiting on the next game.
Pokemon Pokopia Announced for Switch 2
Well, cozy gamers, we did it. We got a cozy version of Pokemon and it’s… something. The game is called Pokemon Pokopia, and it looks like a sort of Minecraft and Animal Crossing hybrid. There’s befriending Pokemon, farming, home decorating, and what looks like terraforming. We don’t have a confirmed release date, but the new Pokemon cozy is expected for Switch 2 in 2026.
Suika Game Planet
Image courtesy of Nintendo and Aladdin X
Suika Game is massively popular puzzle game that combines Tetris and cute fruit for a soothing, enjoyable gameplay experience. And today, we learned that we’re getting a sequel! Suika Game Planet was revealed for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in today’s Direct. Best of all, it’s slated to arrive in Winter 2025, meaning we shouldn’t have too long to wait for this one.
Dinkum
The massively popular Steam cozy game Dinkum is finally making its way to Nintendo Switch! Today, Krafton officially announced that Dinkum will release for the Nintendo Switch on November 5th of this year. Players can already check out a free demo from the Nintendo eShop to see if this Australian-inspired survival crafting game is a good fit. Pre-orders are also live for the cozy game if you decide you like what you see.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Image courtesy of Capcom
This last one’s coziness is debatable, but in the “Pokemon is a cozy game” camp, I bring you Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.This latest installment in the creature collecting cousin to the main Monster Hunter series got its official release date announcement today. We now know that Monster Hunter Stories 3 will release on March 13th, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, as well as for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. That’s a little ways to wait, but at least we’ve got a date to look forward to.
In all, we still want to see the new Animal Crossing reveal. But until then, at least the latest Nintendo Direct gave us a few new cozy gems to look forward to.
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