Summary

• Cozy games are popular on the Nintendo Switch, perfect for relaxing and unwinding anywhere.
• Animal Crossing New Horizons sparked the cozy game trend, inspiring more soul-restoring games.
• The cozy game genre includes a variety of different games, from life sims to puzzle games.

In the past couple of years, the wholesome genre of cozy games has blossomed, and the Nintendo Switch happens to be perfectly suited for enjoying these types of games. With the portable nature of this console, it is easy to curl up on a sofa by a fire with a comfy blanket and enjoy playing a restorative, calming game much as one would read a book. In warmer months, the Switch is a great camping companion to sit and enjoy the soothing music and atmosphere of a cozy game. Cozy gaming, in general, has a quality about it that brings peace to the soul and helps people to relax and slow down a bit.

The genre took off when the ultimate cozy game, Animal Crossing New Horizons, came out just when people needed it most during the pandemic. Since then, more people have come to appreciate the slower-paced, immersive environments of cozy games. The trend has inspired Indie developers and AAA game companies alike to create many soul-restoring games that continue to be released for the Nintendo Switch and other platforms. Many good games deserve a spot on this list, but here are ten games that anyone looking to unwind should consider trying out today.

10 Disney Dreamlight Valley (2023)

Life Simulation Adventure With Familiar Disney Characters

Disney Dreamlight Valley quickly became one of the most popular cozy games by combining the familiar world of Disney with a life-simulation adventure game. In this game, there are plenty of quests to tackle for the NPCs in the world, farming, and resource gathering to enjoy peacefully, as well as a plethora of crafting and decorating to enjoy. Clothing options and player customization add to its charm and immersion, and a mysterious history regarding The Forgotten gives a focus for guiding the story forward.

Dreamlight Valley often has limited-time events and fun challenges to get unique items through Star Path quests, and recently released a DLC that continues the game. The game's new A Rift In Time expansion adds a whole new island with a full story of its own.

Disney Dreamlight Valley's Metacritic score has been the target of several reviews, giving it scores of 0 due to in-game microtransactions.

9 Fae Farm (2023)

Farming Life Sim With Many RPG Elements

Fae Farm is another game that takes the traditional format of a cozy life and farming sim and gives it an added twist by placing it in a magical world with Fae friends, magical spells, and mysterious quests. Along the way, players can customize and craft furniture and clothing to decorate their homes and farms while also finding love among the local NPCs.

Leaning into its cozy label, there is even a Cozy Score that can be earned by decorating, which will give special buffs. The Cozy Score can increase max health, energy, or mana for the character depending on some of the decorations and furniture that has been placed in the home. This means that the more restful and rejuvenating the home environment is, the more a character can do without having to stop to sleep or eat out in the open world. Fae Farm has a favorable Metacritic review score of 75.

8 Unpacking (2021)

A Puzzle Game Of Organizing Items With A Story

As a zen puzzle game, Unpacking is one of the best cozy Nintendo Switch games about uncovering a story through puzzles. It's a very casual and relaxed game of unpacking boxes and putting things away while learning more about the life of the owner of the objects. The story gradually leads the player through various stages of a woman's life as they see her world through her possessions in small, indirect vignettes that evoke much more feeling than one would think for a story of unpacking boxes.

While the gameplay mechanics are pretty straightforward and offer a tranquility in slowly placing items around the space, the story is a touching one. Told entirely through the progression of seeing which items are brought with each move, the tale is surprisingly effective at pulling out the players own feelings and memories. Unpacking has a Metacritic review score of 83.

7 Lil Gator Game (2022)

Cheerful And Casual Platform Game

Generally, platform adventure games are not considered to be part of the cozy game genre, but Lil Gator Game is an exception to this for the heartfelt journey to childhood. Playing as Lil Gator, players complete quests for everyone on the island in an effort to get their big sister to take notice and play with them. The game is full of cardboard crafted items, and there is no risk of getting hurt; it simply a means to explore what it means to be a carefree child facing the threat of growing up.

Lil Gator Game is a very short game, generally only taking around four hours to complete, and offers a sweet and heartfelt story. The captivating and wholesome adventure, Lil Gator Game, has a Metacritic score of 84.

6 PowerWash Simulator (2022)

Surprisingly Relaxing Simulation Game

Another game that might not be the first to come to mind in the genre of cozy games is PowerWash Simulator. Featuring an intriguing and surprising campaign narrative, the game is entirely composed of the player character taking on various jobs of defeating dirt with the various tools at their power washing disposal.

The simple action of clearing away the dirt can be so satisfying in PowerWash Simulator that it truly deserves its place in the cozy game genre. It is a slow-paced simulator that offers a true sense of gratification and accomplishment while also providing a therapeutic and meditative space. Turning down the game volume and putting on some peaceful music or a podcast can be one of the most relaxing forms of entertainment around. On the Nintendo Switch, PowerWash Simulator has a Metacritic score of 84.

5 Wylde Flowers (2022)

Life And Farming Sim With A Witchy Feel

Wylde Flowers sets itself apart from many of the traditional farming sim tropes by balancing its farming, mining, and fishing with witchcraft, with the player needing a glass kiln and cauldron to make incantations and potions. It offers a cozy and relaxing space, however, with seasonal rituals to take part in, deep and engaging townsfolk, and a clever story.

The characters in the game have much more unique backstories than the stereotypical farming sim, and there is a moving storyline regarding the town's fear of the witch coven. In fact, its narrative tells a story that is rich with emotion, with many heavy topics such as death looked at while continuing to hold an undercurrent of positivity. Its many unique qualities have earned Wylde Flowers a Metacritic review score of 84, with an 8.8 Score.

4 Pikmin 4 (2023)

Real-Time Strategy Adventure With Adorable Friends

Pikmin 4 may be categorized as a real-time strategy, but at its heart, it is a cozy experience full of puzzles and cute creatures. After crash-landing, it's up to the player character to rescue everyone, along with the help of adorable Pikmin and Oatchi, the pup. Although there is an undercurrent of urgency, the game is relaxing and lighthearted, allowing players to just enjoy solving puzzles and collecting Pikmin while they continue their adventure.

Like the other Pikmin games that came before it, it is a popular title that has earned itself a Screen Rant review score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. As a cozy game on the Nintendo Switch, Pikmin 4 gives an immersive experience that is both an adventure and a cozy game.

3 A Short Hike (2019)

A Charming Adventure And Exploration Game

As far as heartwarming little adventures go, A Short Hike is one of the best for evoking a feeling of peace and calm while providing a plethora of fun objectives. While exploring an island to hike to the top of the mountain summit, the players come across other campers and hikers along the way who may need some help with simple quests. There is fishing along the river bank, swimming in the lake, and puzzle mechanics with searching for hidden treasures along the way.

A Short Hike has nothing rushed about it, encouraging players to slow down and escape the real world for a while. The beautiful music and calm colors evoke a feeling of being out in the woods and encourage a peaceful pause. The highly regarded game has received a Metacritic score of 89 and is often one of the first to be recommended in cozy gaming forums.

2 Stardew Valley (2016)

The Ultimate Cozy Farming And Life Simulator

Stardew Valley is perhaps one of the most well-known farming simulators on this list, having been a favorite of many gamers ever since its original release in 2016. The game has been consistently popular among many, but recently saw a massive resurgence when a large patch 1.6 was made available for PC players that changed a multitude of things about the game, and even added a new farm type. Although the patch is not on Nintendo Switch yet, the developer insists that it is coming soon.

Stardew Valley has a Metacritic score of 89 and is available on most platforms. The simulation game's creator is also working on a new project, The Haunted Chocolatier, which does not have an official release date yet but will likely be released sometime in 2025.

1 Animal Crossing New Horizons (2020)

The Coziest Social Simulation Game

The Nintendo Switch exclusive cozy game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released at the perfect time when the world needed it the most. Releasing in the spring of 2020, when the world was at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, many found solace in the peaceful island community of ACNH. Even now, however, many continue to reach for the game when in times of stress. Its calm environment, cheerful characters, and meditative activities such as fishing and watering flowers, make Animal Crossing: New Horizons a perfect island getaway.

Reaching an incredible Metacritic score of 90, Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues to be a staple in many gamers' catalogs. There are many choices available, however, for anyone to try when they are looking for something relaxing and cozy to play on the Nintendo Switch.

Source: Metacritic (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)