Rather than the adrenaline rush combative or adventure games create, cozy games generate a calming atmosphere. You have plenty of time to complete tasks and things are sometimes familiar and repetitive. Cozy games for Switch can remove a lot of stress from your daily life for little money spent.
Many women point to cozy gaming as a way to improve their mental health by unwinding in a virtual world. If things go wrong, they can always start over. You might curl up in your chair with a snack and a virtual garden and a house to decorate.
The Best Cozy Games for Switch
Cozy gaming became a way for people to escape the fears of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were not deadly viruses or lockdowns in games. However, people embraced the relaxed atmosphere of various simulations and cozy games continued to grow in popularity.
On Reddit, the r/cozygamers group has 208,000 members and is in the top 1% of groups by size on the platform. People on the platform share their favorite games, what’s unique about each and developers talk about upcoming cozy game releases.
Figuring out which games to feature was no easy task. To come up with the best games, ReHack considered popular searches, staff’s favorite picks and discussions in groups on Reddit and other forums. Some of the games are old favorites and others are fairly new to the mix.
Unpacking
This is a simple game where the user gets boxes to unpack in a house and places items where they fit best. You can move elements around to organize as you go or move to other rooms if something doesn’t make sense for the kitchen but does for the bedroom.
MySims Cozy Bundle
A newcomer, MySims Cozy Bundle takes an old favorite and modernizes it with more detailed characters and graphics. It lets you decorate town, help your character with daily tasks and make friends.
Animal Crossing
What would an article about cozy games for Switch be without a mention of an old favorite–Animal Crossing? Unfortunately, Nintendo announced Animal Crossing content on older systems and the online content would shut down. While you can still play older versions on older systems, you may have to find an alternative in the future. They are going to release an offline version so people can transfer content.
Stardew Valley
If you love Animal Crossing, a good alternative is Stardew Valley. The software continues to be updated, which isn’t common. It’s more likely developers release an entirely new version of a game. Some users compare the cozy game to Harvest Moon but state it’s better.
You’ll tend to crops, go fishing, visit other townspeople, restore your crop and travel. The activities include interacting with other characters in the main town. You can help town members and receive rewards. You can grow close and get married.
Disney’s Dreamlight Valley
The simulation game is filled with Disney characters where everything has gone gray. You have to visit characters, hear their stories and restore Disney Dreamlight Valley to what it once was. Talk to Moana, meet Scar and chat with Mickey and Minnie. Each one has a story and will send you on a quest.
Pokemon for Switch
Whether you’re a fan of the older Mystery Dungeon game or you like one of the newer versions, Pokemon fans find the adventures of these games relaxing and predictable. Pokemon Quest is popular for exploring Tumble Cube Island. You can gather ingredients and cook meals to attract Pokemon. Customize your Pokemon to increase strength and earn rewards.
Story of Seasons
Story of Seasons has various versions. If you’re in a nostalgic mood, you can choose the remake of A Wonderful Life. It’s a remake of the 2003 Harvest Moon for Game Cube. You’ll gain some original features but still recognize the overall storyline.
Divinity Original Sin II
Those who are sad Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t available for the Switch, the same developers made Divinity Original Sin II and it is available for Switch. While you will have some battles, if you set it to an easier setting, the story will shine through and you shouldn’t feel the adrenaline rush stress of heavy battle games. Divinity may be a little iffy on how cozy it is, but it deserved a quick mention.
Life Is Strange
The game runs on an Unreal Engine 4 but maintains 30 frames per second. The reflections and shadows of the game are quite realistic. The adventure game focuses on solving mysteries as a journalist named Naomi Hayward.
You’ll navigate through the English countryside to check out why strange things are afoot and how people are shifting into cats and dogs after dusk. Interact with the animals to gather clues.
Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human shows the androids and humans of the future. Three characters–Connor, Kara and Markus live in separate stores that overarch. The adventure game has different outcomes based on the player’s choices.
The game has a movie-like feel but is fairly laid back so can qualify as a cozy game. Androids scan the environment and then make choices. You’ll gather clues and decide the outcome through your actions.
Wylde Flowers
Another story-driven farming simulation but it has a witchy twist. The island has magic and secrets. Join a local witch coven and play as a young girl who left the city and moved to the island. Collect ingredients for potions. Farm during the day and meet with the coven at night.
Upcoming Cozy Games to Try
While some of the tried and true favorites will keep you busy for months, check out the new cozy games releasing in 2025 that you might also enjoy. Some of the upcoming favorites include:
- Call of Boba
- Trash Goblin
- Luma Island
- Super Zoo Store
- Moonlight Peaks
- Hotel Galactic
With the rising popularity of cozy games for Switch, expect to see even more releases in the future. You can check out reviews to see if it sounds enticing before buying and choose the ones most like others you already love.
Find Your Best Cozy Escapes
The best cozy games for Nintendo Switch come down to your personal preferences. You might prefer a game you can play online and on your gaming console. Perhaps you like having a cartridge. Your preferences can limit availability. Start with the list above and you’re certain to find at least a few new favorites. Enjoy your escape and relaxation time.
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