When Hello Kitty Island Adventure first launched on Apple Arcade on 28 July 2023, I was one of the people who jumped in immediately. The cozy atmosphere and cute Sanrio vibe pulled me in from the start. But as much as I enjoyed the game, two things eventually pushed me away: the rise in Apple Arcade’s subscription price, and the mobile controls.
Even though the game itself was adorable, I just didn’t enjoy playing it on a touchscreen. The on-screen controls felt cramped, and I found myself fighting the UI more than exploring the island. Moreover, since I wasn’t playing Apple Arcade often, I eventually cancelled my subscription, and with it, my time on the island paused too.
So when the game was finally announced for Nintendo Switch, I knew this was my chance to return.
Being able to play with real controllers instead of tapping and swiping instantly made the whole experience feel smoother, more precise, and a lot more enjoyable. No more awkward movement, and no more missed jumps, just pure cozy exploration.
For me, the difference didn’t feel dramatic enough to justify the extra cost. So I went with the Standard Version. And thanks to the 11.11 sales, I managed to snag a physical cartridge for under S$50, which felt like a win compared to the eShop pricing.
If you don’t mind waiting for a sale, the physical version gives excellent value . Plus, you get to add it to your Switch shelf!
It’s still the same cozy life-sim at its core, but now it feels like a real console experience rather than a mobile game stretched onto a tablet. Without subscription pressure or limited touch controls, I found myself sinking back into the charm that originally made me love it.
Even though the game itself was adorable, I just didn’t enjoy playing it on a touchscreen. The on-screen controls felt cramped, and I found myself fighting the UI more than exploring the island. Moreover, since I wasn’t playing Apple Arcade often, I eventually cancelled my subscription, and with it, my time on the island paused too.
So when the game was finally announced for Nintendo Switch, I knew this was my chance to return.
The Switch Release... A New Beginning for a Cozy Favourite
Hello Kitty Island Adventure arrived on Nintendo Switch on 30 January 2025, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, within the first month, the game surpassed 500,000 sales across Switch and PC; showing just how many players were ready to enjoy the game in a console-friendly way.Being able to play with real controllers instead of tapping and swiping instantly made the whole experience feel smoother, more precise, and a lot more enjoyable. No more awkward movement, and no more missed jumps, just pure cozy exploration.
Standard vs Deluxe Edition: Which One Makes Sense?
The game launched with two versions:1. Standard Edition – US$39.99 (~S$58–S$60)
Includes the full base game and all eight regions of Friendship Island. It is essentially everything from the Apple Arcade version up to 1.9.2. Deluxe Edition – US$59.99
Adds three item bundles:- Starter Bundle
- Crafting Bundle
- Deluxe Event Bundle (cosmetics + legacy event items)
For me, the difference didn’t feel dramatic enough to justify the extra cost. So I went with the Standard Version. And thanks to the 11.11 sales, I managed to snag a physical cartridge for under S$50, which felt like a win compared to the eShop pricing.
Digital vs Physical: What’s the Better Deal?
1. Nintendo eShop (Switch):
- Standard: US$39.99 (~S$58–S$60)
- Deluxe: US$59.99 (~S$85–S$90)
2. Physical Cartridge:
- Standard Edition: averages around S$50-55, and even cheaper during big sales
- Deluxe physical editions also exist, but mostly as collectible bundles with merch
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| I got the game for less than S$50 during the 11.11 Lazada Sales |
Returning to Friendship Island: My Experience on Switch so far
Coming back to the game on the Switch felt like a proper fresh start. The world looked brighter on a bigger screen, and playing with Joy-Cons or a Pro Controller made everything feel more natural. Tasks like platforming, decorating cabins, or running errands for the Sanrio characters became relaxing instead of frustrating.It’s still the same cozy life-sim at its core, but now it feels like a real console experience rather than a mobile game stretched onto a tablet. Without subscription pressure or limited touch controls, I found myself sinking back into the charm that originally made me love it.
Getting Hello Kitty Island Adventure on the Switch felt like reconnecting with an old comfort game. Only this time, in the way it was meant to be played. And because I grabbed the Standard physical edition for under S$50, it feels even better.
If you enjoyed the game on Apple Arcade but didn’t love the touchscreen experience, then the Switch version is genuinely worth revisiting. The controls, visuals, and overall comfort make a huge difference. The Deluxe Edition is only necessary if you really enjoy cosmetic boosts; otherwise, the Standard version gives you everything you need for a full adventure.
For me, returning to Friendship Island has been sweet, nostalgic, and so much more enjoyable than my first time around. And now that it’s on a platform I actually love playing on, I’ll be staying here for a while.
If you enjoyed the game on Apple Arcade but didn’t love the touchscreen experience, then the Switch version is genuinely worth revisiting. The controls, visuals, and overall comfort make a huge difference. The Deluxe Edition is only necessary if you really enjoy cosmetic boosts; otherwise, the Standard version gives you everything you need for a full adventure.
For me, returning to Friendship Island has been sweet, nostalgic, and so much more enjoyable than my first time around. And now that it’s on a platform I actually love playing on, I’ll be staying here for a while.
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