Cozy Gaming News Round-Up 2026-4

ACNH Travel Guide: Wonderful Companion

Maybe you’ve been playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons for years now, as I have, but some of you might be new to the game, or back after years of absence. Maybe drawn in by the 3.0 update or the Switch 2 version.

If you are looking for a good companion app to help you keep track of your progress in the game and all your collections, then take a look at the ACNH Travel Guide.

The guide includes bugs, fish, DIY recipes, furniture, clothing, fossils, sea creatures, and so much more. There are daily tasks and turnip prices too. It looks lovely and detailed, and is easy to use too. Plus, all the new items from the new update are already included.

There are no ads and no subscriptions, though the app costs €4,99 to download.

You can find the ACNH Travel Guide in the AppStore. It’s not available in the Google PlayStore.

Free Update for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Nintendo has dropped a surprise treat for fans of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD with a free update, Version 1.1.0. If you’re playing on Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, you can now swing into action as Dixie Kong, complete with her iconic ponytail moves. You’ll also find a brand-new Turbo Attack mode, letting you blitz through levels at breakneck speed and earn shiny turbo medals if you beat the clock.

Switch 2 players get extra perks: sharper visuals, faster load times, and GameShare for local play. Plus, Brazilian Portuguese joins the language options, and there are plenty of tweaks to polish up your experience.

Curious about James’ thoughts about the game? You can find his review here. And there is a demo available in the eShop if you wanna give the game a go.

First Ever Love, Romance, and Heartbreak Debutante Ball on Steam

Steam is throwing its first-ever Valentine’s bash with the Love, Romance, and Heartbreak Debutante Ball from 13–20 February. You’ll find over 100 games exploring every shade of love — from swoony romance to bittersweet heartbreak, and even the joy (or sting) of flying solo. Expect discounts, free demos, and plenty of upcoming titles to wishlist.

The fun kicks off with the LRHDB Direct on 13 February at 1 pm EST, streaming live on the Sunny Demeanor Games YouTube channel. Think of it as your sneak peek into a world of love stories told through visual novels, farming sims, RPGs, puzzles, and interactive fiction.

Fancy playing in a dragon-filled realm? Or maybe Victorian England? You could be a cat, a suave secret agent, or someone desperately trying to snag an engagement ring from an arcade claw machine. From apocalyptic survival to lovers escaping to another planet, this festival proves love comes in all shapes and genres.

Demo and Kickstarter for Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker

Gentle Troll, the indie team behind Tavern Talk (that cosy D&D-inspired hit with an 80 Metacritic score and over 1,600 Steam reviews), is back with something fresh! Their next project, Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker, is gearing up for a Kickstarter launch on 27 January, running until 3 March.

Before the campaign kicks off, you’ll get the chance to dive into a brand-new public demo. Press and influencers will even snag an extended version offering 2–3 hours of playtime, Act 1 in full, new characters, quests, and a revamped drink-mixing system that looks more challenging and packed with player choice.

Set 36 years before Tavern Talk, you’ll step into the shoes of a tavern owner in a colourful fantasy world. Expect to meet adventurers, mix magical drinks to shape their destinies, and turn rumours into quests, all while trying to stop dreams from spiralling into nightmares.

Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour in 2026

If you’re a fan of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and you live in the United States, you’re in for a treat. Starting 13 February 2026, the Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour kicks off across the US, bringing a splash of charm to select aquariums throughout the year.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Photo ops galore – Snap a pic with an aquarium-themed backdrop featuring your favourite characters.
• Blathers-approved signage – Learn fun facts about sea creatures straight from the game.
• Character standees – Spot familiar faces like Kapp’n, making their aquarium debut.
• Stamp Rally fun – Collect themed stamps by finding character standees on select days.
• My Nintendo perks – Check in at kiosks for 100 Platinum Points to redeem for exclusive goodies.
• Exclusive patches – Grab themed patches featuring beloved characters (while supplies last).
• Digital treats – Scan QR codes for mobile wallpapers to brighten up your device.
• Meet-and-greets – Say hello to Isabelle, Tom Nook or K.K. Slider at select stops.
• Merch madness – Pick up officially licensed Animal Crossing gear at the gift shop.
• Play the latest update – Try out the newest Animal Crossing: New Horizons content during special play sessions.

You’ll find the tour at aquariums like SEA LIFE Orlando, Birch Aquarium in San Diego, and SEA LIFE at Mall of America, among others. Tickets are included with general admission, so you can book directly through each aquarium. The full schedule can be found here.

Build for Harmony in Belle Citique

Cozy city designer Belle Citique will give fans of Townscaper and Tiny Glade what they’ve always wanted: villagers and animals! This cosy, water-focused city designer from Willis Studios invites you to craft a world where canals weave through plazas, bridges hug the hills, and trees reach joyfully for the sun. Instead of bulldozing nature, you’ll be building alongside it and attracting animals to share your idyllic spaces.

Fans of Townscaper and Tiny Glade will feel right at home here. You’ll watch villagers fishing in the canals, dogs playing in the park, and birds soaring overhead. It looks like a calming experience designed to help you unwind while creating something beautiful.

Key features:

• Nature-first design – Buildings adapt to rivers and terrain, sprouting tunnels and creating waterways.
• Relaxing beauty – Enjoy serene landscapes and lively wildlife as your city grows.
• Happy residents – People move in, compliment your designs, and unlock new biomes as your population expands.
• Full customisation – Adjust colours and details to make every corner of your city feel personal.

You can wishlist Belle Citique now on Steam, and there’s a demo available so you can start building your dream city straight away. The full release is planned for Q1/Q2 2026.

Step Back in Time with Lenin Street Geek Shop

Lenin Street Geek Shop is a narrative-driven simulator with a soul, blending pixel art with PS1-style graphics for that perfect early-2000s vibe. You’ll step into the shoes of Kirill, a tenth-grader who drops out of school to help his mum chase her dream. Your mission? Run a tiny shop packed with Y2K essentials: think anime DVDs, menthol cigarettes, “platinum” MP3 collections, and bootleg PC games.

It’s not just about stocking shelves. You’ll feed the sleepy cat, upgrade your store, and influence the lives of your visitors. Friendships will be tested, first love will sting, and every decision will shape your story in a world where cash is king, and everyone’s got an angle.

The game is planned for release in 2026, but you can wishlist it now and sign up for their Playtest that just opened.

The Witch’s Bakery Coming to More Platforms

Sunny Lab and Silver Lining Interactive have confirmed that cozy, emotion-filled bakery RPG The Witch’s Bakery is expanding to Nintendo Switch 2, alongside PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the original Switch. You can expect the launch in Q2 2026, so mark your calendar for a sweet spring treat.

It looks like a colourful game set in modern Paris, where you play as Lunne, a joyful witch who heals hearts through baking. Your days flow from managing your bakery to exploring the city and diving into magical “Heart Palaces” to mend emotions. Think vibrant districts, heartfelt stories, and plenty of pastry magic.

As if that wasn’t enough, physical editions are on the way for PS5, Switch, and Switch 2 – complete with an enchanting digital cookbook so you can whip up your own magical treats at home. Pre-orders are open now via Silver Lining Direct and local retailers, priced at £29.99 / $34.99 / €34,99.

Kickstarter Clean Up Earth

The French indie studio has just launched a Kickstarter campaign for Clean Up Earth, a relaxing and satisfying clean-up game with a real-world twist: by playing, you’ll help fund environmental action.

Soozi was a part of the playtest for this cozy, cooperative experience. You can read her thoughts here. In Clean Up Earth, you restore polluted landscapes, recycle waste, and rebuild ancient structures while watching nature and wildlife return. You can play solo for a mindful vibe, team up with friends, or join massive community clean-ups with up to 30 players.

At its heart, Clean Up Earth delivers a positive message — small actions matter, and together we can make a difference. If you want to try the game, there’s a demo live on Steam.

Pizza Slice is hitting Steam on 4 March

The crazy, humorous restaurant sim Pizza Slice puts you in charge of a full-blown pizzeria. You’ll shop for ingredients, prep, clean, serve, and of course craft mouth-watering pizzas. It looks like a fun, fast-paced experience with a single-player story following Tonio, an Italian chef trying to revive his grandpa’s New York pizzeria and outsmart shady competitors.

The campaign spans 21 in-game days, ramping up the challenge with more customers, health inspections, and rival sabotage. There’s also a co-op mode so you can team up with a friend, and once the story’s done, you can keep running your restaurant indefinitely.

Pizza Slice will be priced at £10.99 / €14,99 / $14.99. Playtests are open now, you can sign up here by pushing the green “request access”.

Do you like our content?
Support LadiesGamers as a member on Patreon!
Or buy us a cup of coffee or tea on Ko-Fi!