The world of indie games is full of unexpected gems, but every now and then, something comes along that’s so bizarrely wholesome it demands attention. Enter Proud Dad Simulator, a game where your main objective is… to receive positive affirmations from Dad. And somehow, it works.
Launching March 6, 2025, on PC, Proud Dad Simulator is exactly what it sounds like: a clicker game where you tap on Dad, and he tells you how proud he is of you. That’s it. That’s the game. But then it’s also not, because under that incredibly simple premise, developer BitMeister has layered in some of the most unexpectedly entertaining mini-challenges I’ve seen in a while.
A Game That Just Wants You to Feel Good
At its core, Proud Dad Simulator is about one thing: positive reinforcement. Click on Dad, and he’ll throw out one of 12 different affirmations, telling you how awesome you are, how proud he is, and that yes, you’re doing great. And honestly? In the middle of today’s gaming landscape, that’s kind of refreshing.
For those who need a quick morale boost on the go, there’s also Porta-Dad Mode, which lets you pull up an affirmation at any time. Yes, the game lets you summon a pocket-sized Dad to remind you of your worth. We’ve officially peaked.
Dadware: The Most Chaotic Set of Mini-Games Since WarioWare
If the affirmations aren’t enough, Proud Dad Simulator also features Dadware, a collection of 10 dad-centric microgames that range from “mildly challenging” to “this is way harder than it should be.”
The lineup includes classics like:
✔️ The perfect golf swing (because Dad never lets you win)
✔️ The great milk crate chop (what, your dad never did this?)
✔️ Parallel parking mastery (real dads never need to readjust)
Each success earns more affirmations, because in this game, validation is currency.
Can You Become Dad’s Favorite?
Beyond the clicking and the microgames, the real endgame here is securing the title of Dad’s Favorite—an honor reserved for those who collect every affirmation, complete every challenge, and generally just embody peak dad energy. If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is.
Who Is Behind This Madness?
Proud Dad Simulator comes from BitMeister, a tiny indie studio that somehow took a throwaway joke (“click Dad, get an affirmation”) and turned it into an actual game with actual mechanics and actual replay value. And against all odds, it just… works.