Nintendo is letting nostalgia do the work to keep Living the Dream top of mind
Just last week, Nintendo shared roughly 20 minutes of new information on Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which launches on April 16, 2026 — and it’s clear the company doesn’t want the conversation to cool off just yet. Not long after that Direct, Nintendo dropped 210 tracks from the original Tomodachi Life soundtrack onto Nintendo Music, its OST smartphone app included with a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
On the surface, this looks like a simple nostalgia drop. In reality, it feels far more intentional. Nintendo is keeping Tomodachi Life in the mix while the Direct is still fresh — without rolling out another trailer or major announcement. It’s the kind of quiet move Nintendo loves: small, low-effort, but surprisingly effective.
The strategy is simple — let the music do the talking. If you’re a longtime fan who’s even slightly on the fence about Living the Dream, hearing those familiar tracks again hits fast. I know it did for me. Just a few minutes into the soundtrack, I was suddenly remembering ridiculous island moments I hadn’t thought about in years, from a game I honestly haven’t touched in close to a decade.
That’s the power of music, and Nintendo clearly understands it. It also raises an interesting question: is Nintendo Music becoming more than just a bonus app? This isn’t the first time Nintendo has leaned on nostalgia to keep a game top of mind, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this playbook used again around future releases.
With press still warm from the Direct, releasing the original soundtrack helps Living the Dream stay visible during what’s likely a quieter stretch before the next wave of news. It’s smart marketing, especially for a series like Tomodachi Life, where emotional connection matters more than flashy features.
This move probably won’t convince brand-new players on its own — and that’s fine. It’s clearly aimed at fans who already have a soft spot for Tomodachi Life. For players who’ve already pre-ordered the game, the soundtrack simply adds a little extra excitement without overdoing it.
One thing is clear: Nintendo isn’t rushing into loud or expensive marketing for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Instead, it’s giving the game room to breathe — and this soundtrack drop feels like a small but deliberate part of that approach.
About the Author
Scott (Scotty) Greenhalgh is the founder and owner of Input Lag, an independent Nintendo-focused publication. Scotty brings a player-first perspective informed by years of hands-on experience with Nintendo games to his reviews, rankings, and editorial coverage. His writing focuses on how games feel to play, their long-term value, and the impact Nintendo’s creative and business decisions have on players.
Outside of Input Lag, he also creates Pokémon-focused content online under the name Gr3atScotty.
