Get Started...
Android
iOS
Mac
Switch
Wii
Wii U
PC
PS4
PS5
Xbox One
Xbox X|S
Please enter a valid email address
Please choose a platform
:
How does your child play this? Alone, with friends, with family? How did they discover it and what kept them coming back for more?
:
To verify your input please enter your email to create an account.
Email:
Play Overview
Minami Lane (2024) is a cost town simulator where you manage a small Japanese-inspired street to improve the residents' lives and make a little money. Play involves laying out and upgrading buildings on the street, as well as developing shops and setting prices for profit. It's an unusual life simulation with a focus on creating a calm community by paying attention to the wants and needs of the people who live there.
You work on improving your street by placing buildings. To do this you build homes for more villagers to move in and then ensure they have all they need - ramen shops, boba cafes, bookstores and green spaces. Slowly, you earn more approval and can unlock and customise buildings.
As you progress you learn how to maximise the happiness of your villagers by ensuring their needs are met and taking on quests to help them out. To make money you create different shops and services (from flower shops to karaoke) that your villagers can use, designing products and balancing raw material costs with prices and profits.
The result is a game that's as much about observing your residents going about their day as any hard-core strategy. Paying attention to the lives of people under your care gives you the clues to what they need, and is surprisingly calming.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Minami Lane 8 weeks ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 2 days ago.
You work on improving your street by placing buildings. To do this you build homes for more villagers to move in and then ensure they have all they need - ramen shops, boba cafes, bookstores and green spaces. Slowly, you earn more approval and can unlock and customise buildings.
As you progress you learn how to maximise the happiness of your villagers by ensuring their needs are met and taking on quests to help them out. To make money you create different shops and services (from flower shops to karaoke) that your villagers can use, designing products and balancing raw material costs with prices and profits.
The result is a game that's as much about observing your residents going about their day as any hard-core strategy. Paying attention to the lives of people under your care gives you the clues to what they need, and is surprisingly calming.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Minami Lane 8 weeks ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 2 days ago.
There are lots of games similar to Minami Lane. Here are some we picked for you:
Play Style
This is a Simulation, Strategy and World Building game with Collecting and Communication elements. This is a single-player game.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Benefits
This game is good if you want to:
Age Ratings
Skill Level
8+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. You need to think ahead and interpret what residents need, but there's no real penalty for not getting things right. Younger children can simply enjoy the comings and goings of the street while older kids can aim to perfect their community.
Costs
Game Details
Release Date: 28/02/2024
Out Now: Mac, PC and Switch
Skill Rating: 8+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Simulation, Strategy, World Building (Collecting and Communication)
Accessibility: 0 features documented (Tweet Developer )
Components: 2D Overhead, Cartoon and Persistant World
Developer: Doot Dodo (@Doot_Dodo)
 |
Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships. |
© 2025 Family Gaming Database