The Nintendo Switch is 8 years old today. While I don’t appreciate the passage of time, there are several Nintendo Switch cozy games that we’ve been able to enjoy. Unfortunately, I can’t detail every cozy game since the Nintendo Switch has over 24,000 titles in its library. But, I can highlight a few that may be missing from your gaming library!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Number 1 on the list is a no-brainer, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a staple to the cozy life. I don’t even have to tell you what it’s about because it’s nearly impossible to be uninformed. However, I will give you the cliff notes version.
In Animal Crossing, you are the only human living on an island of animals, and who better to revitalize an island than the person who just arrived? That’s you. As the authority figure, you have the ability to redesign the island and make it better. But, that’s not all! You can fish, swim, garden, forage, catch insects, collect clothes, find fossils – please hold while I catch my breath.
The point is, there’s tons to do and it caters to several different kinds of gamers. My husband put all of his focus into building a Japanese city while I bought up all the clothes and cosplayed.
Let’s Go Pikachu / Let’s Go Eevee
Number 2 on the list is a Pokémon title – or rather, two Pokémon titles: Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee!. It seemed remiss not to include since it’s a time-honored franchise at this point. But, let me subvert your expectations a little. As someone who wants to collect Pokémon and doesn’t care at all about the battling; Let’s Go Pikchu and Let’s Go Eevee redefined the landscape for me.
I’ve tried to play Pokémon games before and while I can see their appeal, they just never held my attention the way that playing Let’s Go Eevee! gripped me. It’s all of the Pokémon charm and fun with far less of the battling.
It doesn’t take away battling entirely, of course (you still have gyms to conquer), but it was so much more enjoyable to just travel with the focus on collecting. If any of the titles embody the phrase, “Gotta Catch’em all”, it’s Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee! If you have someone in your life who’s on the fence about the games, introduce them to these titles.
MySims: Cozy Bundle
And lastly, number 3 on the list is MySims: Cozy Bundle. Admittedly, I haven’t gotten my hands on this bundle yet, but I did play MySims back in ye olden days on the Nintendo DS. So, seeing it bundled with MySims: Kingdom and put out on Nintendo Switch is heartwarming.
I have incredibly fond memories of playing MySims. You ran around helping people and building up the town. If you know me, you know that I love nothing more than a good game of quests. Who needs a main storyline?
MySims: Kingdom takes you away from home as you play a Wandolier who travels to different islands and solves puzzles along the way.
The vibes are chill and the art style is adorable. Plus, cozy is in the name, so how could you go wrong?
This is, in no way, a complete list. In fact, we’re probably missing a lot of major titles that fit the genre. But, when cozy is in the eye of the beholder, we’re bound to miss some bigger titles that others found comfort in.
Here are some honorable mentions that are either here by reputation or because we’ve reviewed them in the past.
Honorable Mentions: More Nintendo Switch Cozy Games
- Stardew Valley: While I could never get around the time constraints of the day-night cycle, it’s hard to argue that Stardew Valley is quintessentially cozy. It almost feels like the OG farming sim at this point.
- A Short Hike: While a smaller game, A Short Hike is an adorable story with quests that can be done in any order all while you traverse a mountainous terrain. – Our Review
- Sticky Business: It’s a little less game and more creative expression, but Sticky Business is a lot of fun. The freedom to make essentially any sticker you want is a great way to decompress. – Our Review
- House Flipper: Like Animal Crossing, it feels like House Flipper needs no introduction. You buy up properties, tear things down, build them up, and sell for profit. It’s such a great game to turn your brain off with.
- Little Kitty, Big City: I’m not saying that I played the entire game in one sitting, but telling you that I didn’t do that would be a lie. The exploration capabilities in this one are out of this world and I almost feel like it deserves a spot in the top 3. – Our Review
- Botany Manor: This is another of my personal favorites. Botany Manor is a puzzle/exploration game where you explore a manor with flora-based puzzles. I wish I could go back and play this game for the first time again. – Our Review
- Dragon Quest Builders 2: I view these titles the same way I do Pokémon games. The base game is cool, but not cozy. And, while there are enemies and fighting in these off-shoot games, there’s a lot of cozy as well! I really enjoyed exploring, collecting, and building up my base.
Feel free to comment below and tell us what Nintendo Switch titles you would put on your top 3 list.
