Last weekend, at a wedding, I found myself chatting with a complete stranger. When she asked about my job, I told her I wrote about video games. Her face lit up, and she eagerly shared her favorite games. One title surprised me – MySims. This somewhat obscure spinoff, popular during the Nintendo Wii era, offered a more relaxed Sims experience perfect for casual players. Now, my new wedding friend and other fans rejoice, as MySims is making a comeback with MySims: Cozy Bundle. This re-release bundles the original MySims and the fantasy-themed MySims Kingdom, adding a few modern touches to the mix.
I got my hands on the package at a Nintendo holiday preview event, getting a sneak peek at how these cult classics have been revamped for the Nintendo Switch. While the core gameplay remains unchanged, there are two notable additions that fans will appreciate. My brief demo dropped me right into the beginning of MySims, letting me create my character and build my first house. It’s not a complete remake, so the opening moments play out just as they did in the original release. I named my town after Shadow the Hedgehog and created a cool Sim to match before building an impractical, boot-shaped house – fitting for a goth, of course!
The most noticeable change in Cozy Bundle lies in its updated control scheme. The original release relied heavily on motion controls, requiring a significant overhaul to work with a standard gamepad. While this transition feels a little clunky at times, the joystick acts as a pointer, letting you navigate dialogue boxes and house customization options. Camera controls during house building can be confusing, as the left joystick controls both tilting the land and zooming in and out. It took some getting used to, feeling like a motion-controlled game crammed into standard joystick controls.
The good news? Cozy Bundle supports the Nintendo Switch’s touchscreen. This seems like the perfect way to play, ideal for cozy nights on the couch during winter. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try out the touch controls during my demo, but I can already see how much easier navigating menus and customizing houses will be using it.
Another significant change is visual. Cozy Bundle doesn’t completely revamp the Wii game’s chibi visuals, but it does make them look much sharper. The lines are smoother, and there’s no noticeable artifacting around characters and objects. While it’s a small change, it makes the package feel polished and refined.
Beyond these updates, the core MySims formula remains unchanged. You’ll still experience small-town life, collect essences, and customize your town. If you missed out on MySims back in 2007 on the Wii, this is your chance to experience its charm. Especially if you’re looking for a new game to fill those cold winter months, MySims: Cozy Bundle offers a fun, relaxing experience reminiscent of Animal Crossing. I’m confident my new wedding buddy will be thrilled with these changes, and based on my initial preview, I am too. MySims: Cozy Bundle launches on November 19 for Nintendo Switch.
