Unlike other mobile games, this isn't filled with ads, gambling, or trashy bloated UI elements. "Rare" in this game doesn't refer to pull rate, but simply that a cat is attracted to specific toys or food, all of which are always readily available at the in-game currency shop. You can spend money to get this currency, but that's as far as it goes. Really, you shouldn't though because this is meant to be played in small doses over a long time period.

It doesn't pretend to be anything grander than it really is. You feed cats, place toys for them, take pictures of them, and that's it. The game actively discourages you from wasting your time staring at your phone since cats will only appear when the game isn't open. You just check in whenever you feel like it.

It's the only mobile game where you actually play the game instead of it playing you, and for that it may very well be the best of them.

Do you love cats? Do you want to “collect” them virtually without the added worry of virtual pet care? Then Neko Atsume is the mobile game for you!
Most have heard of this iconic game already - in fact, it turns nine years old this year. But I think it’s definitely still worth paying attention to, even today. For starters, I prefer mobile games that are completely casual and not too time consuming, given that I can become far too invested in them otherwise. Neko Atsume strikes the perfect balance of keeping your interest and respecting your time.
The gameplay here revolves around filling up food bowls to attract kitties to your yard. There are a few different foods available for purchase, having better attraction powers the more expensive they are. And once you put the food out, you must leave the app to wait real-time for your visitors to show up! You can then snap pictures of them to keep in their individual photo albums. Once one leaves, they’ll give you a gift of in-game currency.
More interesting than the food in the shop are the furniture selections, the main thing you’ll need to save up for. There are all kinds of beds, toys, scratchers, and other goodies to buy and place in your yard. You’re then rewarded for their purchase by getting to watch and photograph your kitties using them during their visits! Something to keep in mind is that only certain kitties will interact with certain objects.
There are over 60 cats to “collect” - including rare ones that only show up under certain circumstances. There’s also a ‘catbook’ that keeps track of who you’ve already discovered, with their page becoming fully available once you spot them yourself during a visit. Aside from being able to rename them here, there are stats for their personality, power level, coat color, number of visits, and the top three goodies they’ve used. You can also set each cat’s profile picture to anything from their personal photo album!
Every cat also has a unique memento which they’ll eventually present to the player! These are earned by feeding them enough to become good friends, after which the item will be displayed on that kitty’s profile. It’s an extremely simple - almost rudimentary - collecting mechanic, yet it matches perfectly with the casual style of Neko Atsume as a whole. There’s just a bit more flavor to the gameplay because of them, giving you one more reason to stick with the loop for longer.
However, while the casual approach is well-suited for this type of app, the big downside is that it will eventually become dull. The relaxed nature and immediate gratification of adorable kitties make it super easy to come back to - but you’ll probably fall out of doing so eventually, because there’s just not much to actually do. Don’t get me wrong, I love having something as peaceful as Neko Atsume available at any time, especially when I need a pick-me-up. Yet I can’t deny that the game would’ve been even better if there was at least a petting mechanic (this was rectified in the VR version, at least.)
Despite having flawed gameplay, Neko Atsume still stands out from many other mobile games; and a big reason for that is its wonderful visual presentation. The cartoony style may seem simple at first glance, but it’s genuinely charming and perfectly executed. I especially love the bold colors and thick lineart.
Of course, the best part is easily the kitties themselves! Each one is unique in appearance, with all sorts of natural coat colors (white, brown, black, gray, or orange) and patterns (solid, striped, spotted, or a mix of the latter two.) My personal favorite is Peaches, who possesses a yellow-ish coat with light brown spots - one of which on their side resembles a heart!
Contrary to the others, the rare kitties are a bit more outlandish, usually possessing a silly costume or some otherwise unique trait. The most famous character from the entire game is easily Tubbs, a rare cat who’s much larger and fatter than the others; he shows up and eats your entire food bowl before leaving a huge tip. Another example would be Guy Furry, a black and gray feline dressed in a chef’s clothes and hat.
The kitties aren’t the only amazing thing about the art, though! Another element that I really love are the many interactions that the kitties have with their furniture and toys. There are a variety of poses and simple animations, sometimes multiple for a single item; a cat could be laying in their bed either curled up and fast asleep, or awake with their head up and alert. This is why purchasing new goodies is so rewarding (aside from the innate satisfaction of decorating), because you’re always excited to see how the cats use them. Rare cats even have unique interactions, like Guy Furry, who can make pizza on top of an oven or a sundae in a vase!
The sound design isn’t quite as noteworthy or fleshed out as the visual side of Neko Atsume, yet what’s there still manages to be effective. Even though there’s only one background song, it's very cute and catchy; the leading instruments in it are a keyboard and xylophone. Meanwhile, UI selections make satisfying ‘pop’ and ‘click’ noises, with a few ‘meow’s for good measure.
In conclusion, despite not being flawless, I think Neko Atsume still holds up even nine years later. It’s a great casual mobile game with lots of cute cats and furniture selections (plus no ads!) You may not stick with it forever, but it’ll likely keep you entertained for a good long while - and it’s effortless to jump back in whenever you’re ready to. I highly recommend Neko Atsume, especially to fellow cat lovers!



Visuals: 5/5
Sound: 3.5/5
Gameplay: 3/5
Worldbuilding: 4/5
Replayability: 3.5/5
Overall Game Score: 4/5 [3.8/5]

(＾• ω •＾) Meowdy meowsters! If you're looking for a game to collect kitties without the hassle of dealing with the cat girls in FFXIV's horny jail or Kirby's perpetual napping, Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector might catch your fancy. It embraces its quirkiness with expressive cat animations and a lighthearted approach to virtual cat collection. However, be warned, the game takes a unique turn by hilariously telling you to "F U C K O F F" after making a purchase. Bonus points for being the first self-aware piece of shovelware that actively encourages you not to play. A bizarre twist that adds an unexpected layer to the typical mobile gaming experience. Score: 7/10.