The wait is almost over for the ultimate quirky life sim. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream launches for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on April 16th, and to tide us over, Nintendo has released a free Welcome Version demo on the eShop right now.

This isn’t just a tiny taste. The demo allows you to create up to three Mii characters, letting you get a head start on designing the personalities, voices, and looks for your future island residents. The best part? Your progress carries over directly to the full game at launch.

But there’s an extra incentive to play through the demo content: you’ll unlock a hamster costume in a random color for your Miis. It’s a fun little bonus to show you were there from day one. The full game promises an evolving island where you can rearrange shops and living spaces, with time passing in real-time, making for a truly dynamic experience. For those with a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Switch 2, you can even use GameChat to visit friends’ bizarre and wonderful islands. Go grab the demo and start crafting your island paradise!