Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Gets April Release Date and Major Inclusive Update
LONDON, 29 January 2026 – Nintendo has finally unveiled the full details for the long-awaited sequel to its quirky life simulation series. During a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation today, the company confirmed that Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream will launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on 16 April 2026. The announcement also confirmed a landmark new feature for the series: the inclusion of same-sex relationships and non-binary characters.
A Decade in the Making
Arriving nearly a decade after the original 3DS title, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream brings the bizarre and humorous social simulator to modern hardware. The series, known for its unpredictable interactions between user-created Mii characters, has built a cult following for generating viral stories of weird love triangles, unexpected marriages, and surreal dream sequences. The new instalment promises to expand on this formula with a host of new features and much deeper customisation options, all running on the Switch.
Key Facts & Announcements
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Title | Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Release Date | 16 April 2026 |
| Major New Feature | Inclusion of same-sex relationships and non-binary character options |
| Series Legacy | Original 3DS game sold over 6.72 million copies worldwide |
Fulfilling a Long-Standing Promise
One of the most significant revelations from the Direct was the confirmation of inclusive relationship options. The original Tomodachi Life on the 3DS faced criticism for not allowing same-sex relationships, a limitation that players often worked around by manually editing their Miis’ appearances. Nintendo has now directly addressed this feedback. The company stated that Living the Dream will allow players to forge any relationships they choose between their island inhabitants, marking a substantial step forward for representation in one of Nintendo’s flagship social sims.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream released?
The game is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch on 16 April 2026. Pre-orders are expected to open shortly.
What is new in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream?
While full details are still emerging, the confirmed headline addition is the support for same-sex relationships and non-binary characters. The Nintendo Direct also showcased expanded customisation, new activities, and the enhanced visual fidelity of the Switch hardware.
Was there a Nintendo Direct for this announcement?
Yes. A 20-minute Nintendo Direct dedicated solely to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream aired at 2pm GMT on Thursday 29 January 2026, revealing the release date and new features.