Nintendo has confirmed that Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream will introduce non-binary character options and same-sex relationships when it launches on April 16, marking a major shift for the long-running life simulation series. The announcement came during the Nintendo Direct on January 29, where the company showcased expanded character creation tools and relationship settings for the upcoming title.
For the first time in the franchise, players can choose from three gender options for their Miis: male, female or non-binary. Nintendo has also added adjustable voice pitch controls, allowing players to shape characters beyond traditional gender markers.
Alongside this, players can define dating preferences for each Mii, selecting interest in male, female, non-binary characters, multiple options, or none at all. These settings allow same-sex relationships and a wider range of romantic dynamics to unfold naturally on the game’s island setting.
Nintendo Tomodachi Life focuses on observing Miis as they live together, form friendships, fall in love and navigate everyday conflicts with a mix of humor and unpredictability. Nintendo emphasized that Miis retain agency in how relationships develop, even as players influence their environment and social interactions.
The update carries added weight given the franchise’s history. The 2013 Nintendo 3DS version faced widespread criticism for excluding same-sex relationships, which sparked the fan-led #Miiquality campaign. Nintendo of America later issued an apology, stating it could not update the original game but committed to building a more inclusive experience in future entries. Living the Dream now delivers on that promise more than a decade later.
The game launches on Nintendo Switch and will also run on Switch 2 through backward compatibility. Beyond representation updates, Nintendo highlighted deeper customization options and a more dynamic island society, reinforcing Tomodachi Life’s role as one of Nintendo’s most unconventional social simulators.
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
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