I can not say no to animals. Even now, as an adult, I do not allow myself to visit animal shelters with my friends when they go to pick out a pet – I would leave with them all, or inevitably, leave upset, in a big ball of tears. The thought of being able to own and run an animal shelter makes my heart swell, so ‘Animal Shelter Simulator,’ by Game Incubator, let me live out that dream.

Since the premise of the game is exactly the same, this review will just compare the Nintendo Switch version with my previous experience on the PlayStation.
For a fully comprehensive review of Animal Shelter Simulator on PlayStation 5, read here: Animal Shelter Simulator (Playstation 5) – Review | MKAU Gaming

The most noticeable difference is the controls. While mapped out the same as next-gen consoles, such as the PlayStation 5, it is a little more difficult to play comfortably in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch. Due to the screen being so small and the JoyCons being so wide apart, it is actually quite difficult to visually see what you need and control where to interact with objects.

When converted to a Pro Controller on the TV though, it was more manageable and much easier to navigate around the map as you walk around the compound and interact with quite small and fiddly objects.

The graphics on PlayStation 5 were decent and they transfer well to the Nintendo Switch, especially in handheld mode. On the smaller screen, they are pretty crisp, but as mentioned in the previous review, the game, as a whole, doesn’t have particularly interesting things to look at anyway. In docked mode, while clearly not as defined, the graphics still hold up as each puppy wags their little tail at you.

Overall, While Animal Shelter Simulator is still a solid game, I would much prefer to play on a console where the controls are easier to wrangle. For the most part, despite the graphics and controls, everything is still the same cute and cuddly good time, and it still delivers that feeling of accomplishment and good wholesome vibes, rehoming neglected animals as you develop the best rescue center around.

Written by: Stacey