Best Dress-Up Games

Has anyone ever wondered what the equivalent of instant ramen in the gaming world is? Dress-up games. Now, this might sound weird, but there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for why this analogy works. Dress-up games are easy to access, they’re easy to play, and they’re easy to digest. Not everyone wants to go through a “full-course meal” game that has a steep learning curve and an intricately detailed—almost chaotic—storyline, when they can simply enjoy casually dressing up a random character on the internet. Why not? It’s the ultimate stress reliever!

The thing about dress-up games is that there is a whole array of definitions that can define them. They could be defined as a sub-genre of life simulation games like the iconic Sims series, or they could be considered a very particular type of role-playing game. Regardless of what they are, dress-up games are designed to not be taken seriously. Most of them do not have much of a story going on, nor do they have a lot of conflict, and that’s precisely the point. They’re designed for players to, well, play dress-up, without being subjected to the looming threat of losing progress or, heaven forbid, a life.

6 Everskies: Virtual Dress Up

An honest little game for a creative outlet

• Platforms: Android and iOS

Everskies: Virtual Dress Up is a dress-up and life simulation game that was released on Android and iOS in 2022. It’s a ‘true’ dress-up game that is centered purely around fashion elements and is kind of reminiscent of those early 2000s internet games. Players even get to design their own dresses and put them up for sale in-game. It’s perfect for people who want to explore their inner fashion designer.

As far as the dress-up part of the game is concerned, it’s pretty straight-forward. Players are given a wide range of options when it comes to selecting a character. They can choose their character’s make-up and facial features and even change their character completely once they get the hang of the game. After selecting one, players are virtually set up to style and purchase clothing for them. Additionally, there’s a social media world inside the game, where players get to join or form clubs, chat with other members, and take part in trading and selling fashion items.

5 Shining Nikki

Gorgeous visuals, serene vibes, and a lovely soundtrack

• Platforms: Android and iOS

Shining Nikki is one of the most famous dress-up games on the scene right now. It is a 3D mobile game developed by Papergames and is the fourth installment of a very successful dress-up franchise. The game has a pretty decent plot and some well-made RPG elements that just add to its allure. The storyline revolves around Nikki, the main character, waking up in a hospital with her memories erased. She and her familiar set out to find answers about her strange predicament.

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Even though Shining Nikki seems like a run-of-the-mill, plain ol’ dress-up game at first glance, it’s actually not. It has some pretty dynamic gameplay that revolves around Nikki going through different ‘styling battles’ with NPC characters in order to progress through the game. She wins these battles using different in-game attributes like Designer Reflections, Styling Power, and Stamina. Ultimately, she receives different rewards for victories, ranging from gold and clothing items to memory keys (to unlock her lost memories).

4 Time Princess: Dreamtopia

Disney-esque characters, Rococo beauty trends, and gorgeous graphics

• Platforms: Android and iOS

Time Princess: Dreamtopia is another 3D dress-up game that was released in 2020 and is available to play on Android and iOS. It’s kind of like Shining Nikki but leans more towards Disney-like characters rather than anime-like characters.

In Time Princess: Dreamtopia, the player’s character is transported into an ancient kingdom through a portal found within an old storybook. The character has to learn how to navigate through this new world, take part in different dress-up challenges, and make in-game choices that will decide her and her kingdom’s fate. Honestly, it isn’t as serious as it sounds. It’s simply a game where players deck out their characters in the most fabulous ball gowns ever and play around with accessories to create their own stylish looks!

3 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Cute anthropomorphic animals and custom dresses

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is NOT a dress-up game at all. It’s a social simulation game that was developed and released by Nintendo in 2020 and is the fifth installment in the Animal Crossing series. While this particular installment is currently only available on Nintendo Switch, the series does have a mobile game called Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp available on Android and iOS.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life/social sim game that has cute anthropomorphic animals who help the player build a ‘perfect’ village. That’s literally what the whole game is about. The dressing-up part comes with character customization. Players get all kinds of options to dress up their characters, buy adorably cute fashion items, and mix and match different looks. While doing that may just be a small part of the gameplay, it is the most fun part!

2 The Sims 4

Has gameplay beyond just dressing characters up

• Platforms: Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

The Sims franchise, while not strictly a part of the dress-up genre, is basically all about dressing a character up and steering them through, well, life. It is, after all, a life simulation game. The Sims 4 is the fourth major installment of The Sims franchise and was released by EA in 2014. It is a free-to-play game that’s available on Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. An alternative version, called The Sims Mobile, is available exclusively for mobile users.

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The Sims 4 is downright sophisticated with its gameplay; even its ‘dress-up’ elements are way more advanced than other dress-up games. Players don’t just get a meager selection of dresses and fashion items for their characters, they get to build their Sims from scratch. They get options for everything they need to build a person: physical build, traits, skin color, facial features, dresses, and even body shapes. It’s sort of like molding something out of clay. Additionally, there’s the build-mode option, which lets players construct and furnish entire houses. To sum up, The Sims 4 provides players A LOT of creative freedom which isn’t only limited to fashion but extends across all facets of the game.

1 Style Savvy: Styling Star

Lets players get acquainted with the business side of fashion.

Style Savvy: Styling Star is a hidden gem among the thousands and thousands of dress-up games available on the internet. It’s a Nintendo 3DS game that was released in 2017 and is the fourth installment in a series of fashion games called Style Savvy, the first one being released in 2009.

Style Savvy: Styling Star does not directly jump into the dressing-up part. It starts with the player acquiring a boutique from their ‘Uncle Tim,’ who leaves it to them to go about his own business. The player now has to run the boutique meticulously and keep all their customers satisfied. The gameplay is essentially based on the player taking very specific fashion orders from their clients, so they can put together an outfit that fits the provided description. The more accurate they are, the higher the chances they will have of selling that outfit to said customer (and getting money in return). With the earned money, the player can revamp their store, buy better products, or even purchase fashion items for their personal use. It’s all very fun.

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