Nintendo fans rejoice as game adds LGBTQ+ options – but right-wingers are fuming
Tomodachi Life Living the Dream allows the creation of asexual and non-binary characters. (Nintendo)
Tomodachi Life Living the Dream allows the creation of asexual and non-binary characters. (Nintendo)
Nintendo’s upcoming game Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream will allow players to form same-sex couples as well as permitting the creation of non-binary and asexual characters.
After nearly a decade of waiting and hoping, the Nintendo Switch game will allow players to select gender identity and dating preferences during character creation. This gender and sexuality update, however, though warmly welcomed by fans, has (predictably) triggered some right-wingers.
Tomodachi Life, first released in 2013, follows the daily lives of Mii characters, known as islanders. Gamers oversee the Mii’s interactions as they build relationships, solve problems, and interact with the player on a remote island.
When creating a character, players will be able to select the character’s gender. Options displayed appear as male, female and non-binary.
“TOMODACHI LIFE HAS NON BINARY OPTIONS OMFG NINTENDO HAS GONE WOKE,” one fan posted with confetti canon emojis.
Then, you can also choose the Mii’s dating preferences. A note on the screen reads: “You can pick one, more than one, or none.” Options that appear allow a character to be attracted to male characters, female characters, non-binary characters, any or none of the options.
‘My jaw dropped, I feel seen.’
This essentially means that gamers can create gay, lesbian, bisexual and asexual Miis.
“Oh my god you can actually be asexual in Tomodachi Life holy s**t my jaw dropped, I feel seen,” another fan posted.
Previously, Nintendo had said it didn’t plan to add same-sex relationships to the game because it “never intended to make any form of social commentary.”
However, following backlash to the comment, the game company released a statement that it would “strive to design a gameplay experience from the ground up that is more inclusive, and better represents all players”.
While many were thrilled with this update, others were angered by it.
“Really???” one user posted in response to the news of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream’s dating preferences.
Another, in response to the same post, shared: “rip Nintendo”
“As if I had another reason to not buy this game,” one user also posted.
However, overwhelmingly, the response to the new Tomodachi Life era has been positive.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream heads to Nintendo Switch on 16 April 2026.
