The early reactions to the beta of Disney Dreamlight Valley has already been off to a positive start. A life simulator unlike any other, fans can do fun activities with Goofy, help reunite Anna and Elsa on a magical journey, and rebuild the town for everyone's favorite characters to live with them.
For those that are enjoying the early access title can discover more magical Disney games that star a mix of classic characters with fun gameplay. And with other charming life simulators out there, they might also be worth pursuing too for those looking for more of the same fun experience.
Disney Classic Games Collection
Following the success of The Disney Afternoon Collection that packaged several retro games based on the Disney animated series of the 1990s, it was followed up by the Disney Classic Games Collection. On one disc or cartridge, gamers can be sent back to the 16-bit era and play the several versions of The Lion King, Aladdin, and The Jungle Book games that were made for systems at the time.
The games are totally separate, so players won't be able to control Simba on the Magic Carpet across the Indian jungles, but they were nevertheless classics in their own right that many still hold fond memories of today. And those looking to discover, or re-discover, other Disney games for current consoles, don't need to look any further than this must-play platforming experience.
Stardew Valley
Easily one of the biggest and most celebrated indie titles of all time, Stardew Valley took inspiration from games like Harvest Moon and built upon the formula that many still come back to discover today. And this virtual farming game was built by one man, Eric Barone.
With farming, mining, and cooking playing a big part of Disney Dreamlight Valley, fans might be pleasantly surprised by what this game has to offer as players can easily get lost for hours on end with these familiar mechanics and more features that most players haven't discovered yet. Stardew Valley also makes use of online multiplayer so that everyone can farm with their friends, something that hopefully will be implemented in the future for Disney's latest game.
Lego The Incredibles
This Lego title gives fans the chance to play as Pixar's superhero family through missions inspired by both of the movies. Taking control of their unique powers, some critics enjoyed the game for what it initially offered, even if it may not be the best title involving the mini figures.
But while playing the super-powered characters is fun, fans of the game will also be rewarded with unlockable characters from other Pixar movies to play as. This combination of iconic characters from the acclaimed studio might easily tempt fans of the new life sim to give this a go.
Story Of Seasons
No matter which console gamers own, there's a good chance that they will be able to pick up one of the entries in the Story of Seasons games. This role-playing farming simulator will have players control a character who must rebuild an old farm into a success while also being able to make new friends and build potential relationships in the neighboring town.
With this friendship system and farming gameplay, fans who are enjoying the beta game should certainly consider giving this game a chance. And with its charming visuals and cute character designs, it's appealing for gamers of any age.
Epic Mickey
Regarded by some as not just one of the best video games featuring Mickey Mouse, but one of the best platformers on the Wii. Epic Mickey took the mouse on a journey to save the forgotten and obscure characters of Wasteland with the help of a magical paintbrush.
This platform game may not initially seem like something fans of Disney Dreamlight Valley might enjoy, but its focus on rescuing characters and defeating corrupted objects and monsters isn't a far cry from some of the objectives in the newest Disney game.
Minecraft
No matter if you're a gamer or not, the chances are that they will most likely heard of Minecraft. Being available for a wide variety of consoles and systems, a lot of people can jump into this blocky world to mine materials, craft useful items and decorations, and build anything to their heart's desire.
Like many other similar games, no two playthoughs will ever be the same, offering lots of variety and fun discoveries. These easy-to-learn mechanics and creative options make it a worthy choice for fans of Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition
It may not be among the Nintendo 3DS games that everyone has or should have played, but Disney Magical World 2 did have its fans and was given a surprise updated version and released on the Nintendo Switch last year. After creating the playable avatar with the console's Mii, they can help a number of Disney characters by building a decorative item or participating in one of the game's fun activities.
This may not be the most challenging Disney game, but for casual gamers and young children, this might be the game for them if they found Disney Dreamlight Valley a bit too complicated to jump into. And as it shares similar customization options and gameplay mechanics, it also acts as a good introduction for younger fans before they jump into Disney's magical beta.
MySims
Nearly everyone has heard of The Sims, the popular life simulation game franchise that some still enjoy today. But those that owned the Wii might have heard of MySims, one of the spin-off games that were aimed at young gamers and featured chibi-inspired character designs that spawned their own series.
This approachable entry in the genre is the ideal game for anyone looking to jump into these types of games as it was accessible for anyone with the Wii Remote to move items around and structure their dream homes. It may not have featured any complicated stories or a depth of gameplay elements, but it did make kids interested in life sims in a way that not many games did back in 2007.
Disney Infinity Gold Collection
During the rise of popularity with the Toys To Life games, Disney Infinity was a major contender with each game featuring new characters from the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars with toy-like visuals some gamers enjoyed. Blending level creation and gameplay genres, players could see their favorite toys racing, battling, and platforming between some creatively magical landscapes.
And with this amount of customization and many characters crossing over with one another, this ambitious series is worth seeking out for those with a Steam account looking for more building and Disney-inspired adventures. While the games can be played on some consoles, the Disney Infinity Gold Collection is not also exclusive to the PC storefront, but puts all the games in one package with unlocked play sets and characters from the start.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Since debuting on the Game Cube, Animal Crossing has grown a dedicated fan base that saw a new entry made available for every preceding Nintendo console. But when Animal Crossing: New Horizons was made available for the Nintendo Switch in 2020, the series' popularity blew up, and it became one of the most played games for many.
This might not come as a surprise to anyone, but this game is seen by many as the pinnacle of life sim games and an approachable one for young and old Nintendo fans alike. And being able to terraform the island and invite any animal civilian to stay makes it a must-play for those that have been enjoying Disney Dreamlight Valley.