Highlights
- The Nintendo Switch offers a variety of relaxing simulation games that require little effort to enjoy.
- Fae Farm, Disney Dreamlight Valley, and Spiritfarer are some of the most relaxing simulation games available on the Switch.
- PowerWash Simulator and Unpacking offer unique and soothing gameplay experiences for players.
The Nintendo Switch has plenty of interesting choices of games for players to enjoy, both made by Nintendo and those created by other companies too. One of the most interesting genres to be played on handheld is simulation titles that allow players to experience a life that may not have been possible in their daily life.
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With this in mind, these simulation titles that can be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch are not only the best but also the most relaxing of the bunch, as it requires little to no effort from the player to enjoy them. As long as the player has found a cozy spot to get comfortable with their handheld, these are by far the most relaxing simulation games.
8 Fae Farm
Metascore: 76
Fae Farm
- Released
- September 8, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Phoenix Labs
- Genre(s)
- Farming , Simulation , RPG
Fae Farm provides a world for players to create their own cozy fantasy home. As they build their homestead, they will uncover all sorts of magic to use that will help them on their adventure away from their tiny fairy farm. With plenty of relaxing activities to get stuck in with, players can enjoy their adventures in Fae Farm alone or with up to three friends online or through couch co-op.
The coziness is only made better through how the story progresses independently of the titles in-game calendar. This means players can enjoy the whimsical nature of Fae Farm at their own pace. Not to mention the large amount of customization that is also available to players.
7 Disney Dreamlight Valley
Metascore: TBD
Players that enjoy Disney characters and Animal Crossing are sure to have not only a relaxing time, but also a joyful one when playing Disney Dreamlight Valley. In this game, players create ther own Disney World where they invite and help the various Disney characters.
Players are sure to meet many of their favorites as well as the classics like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Besides meeting new characters, there are plenty of other activities to do, like fishing and decorating the world around them, once they have cleaned it up a little first.
6 Spiritfarer
Metascore: 84
Spiritfarer
- Released
- August 18, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Thunder Lotus Games , Kowloon Nights , Canada Media Fund
While Spiritfarer may be quite an emotional journey for some players, it’s still an incredibly relaxing and cozy title to enjoy during a player’s free time. Spiritfarer is a game where players help animals that have passed away move on to the afterlife. It isn’t as simple as taking a spirit from one island to another, as players will be tasked with various quests to help them come to turns with things they regretted during their lives.
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Some of these tasks may involve players completing mini-games that see them catching glowing jelly fish, or fishing to find a crustacean that is needed for a cooking recipe. As their boat expands, so will their activities.
5 PowerWash Simulator
Metascore: 84
PowerWash Simulator
- Released
- May 19, 2021
- Developer(s)
- FuturLab
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
While the name of the game may sound incredibly boring, players will be surprised how relaxing yet addictive power washing is in PowerWash Simulator. Players can either wash alone or with a friend as they work together to clean away all the dirt from various levels. Some of these things that players must clean can be quite quick and straightforward, such as washing a bike, while others may take a longer amount of time, such as cleaning a whole subway station.
While players are cleaning various things for various customers, they may begin to discover a deeper story that runs through each level, as it is actually possible to reach the end of PowerWash Simulator and discover a possible danger while they play.
4 Palia
Metascore: TBD
Palia
- Released
- December 14, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Singularity 6, Inc.
- Genre(s)
- Simulation , MMO
Palia is a recently released game that is currently only available on PC and Nintendo Switch. While the game does not yet have a Metacritic score, players have been enjoying exploring this simulation title. It combines the joy of a farming simulator or life sim, with the community feeling of an MMORPG.
As a community simulator, Palia puts a heavy focus on players working together with their friends or others they meet in its world to get involved in all sorts of activities that aren’t limited to fishing or cooking.
3 Unpacking
Metascore: 86
Unpacking
- Released
- November 2, 2021
- Developer
- Witch Beam
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
Simulation titles aren’t only those that allow a player to experience an alternate job, some of those simulators can even be puzzle games that tell a simple, touching story through each level. Unpacking is exactly this, as players are challenged with putting away. Different bits of furniture in different rooms across several levels.
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Each level tells a story of a girl growing up and moving to different places, from moving as a kid, to going to college, to finally moving in with the love of her life. Figuring out where each piece of furniture goes while learning the story can be quite a touching experience for a player to dip into occasionally.
2 Stardew Valley
Metascore: 87
Stardew Valley
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Genre(s)
- RPG , Simulation
There are plenty of farming simulator titles to enjoy on the Nintendo Switch. Out of all of those available, one of the most relaxing as well as greatest farming simulation games available has to be Stardew Valley. Even since its original release, Stardew Valley has continued to see support on all the platforms it has been published on across the years.
Playing this farming simulator that doubles as a life sim title is a great experience to have on the Nintendo Switch as its adorable pixel graphics and simple game play match nicely with the handheld controls of the Switch console. With those that don’t own the lite also being able to connect it to the big screen.
1 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Metascore: 90
Out of all the available simulation games for a player to relax on, it’s of no surprise that one of the best on the Switch handheld console is a title that was created by Nintendo themselves. Animal Crossing is a long-running franchise that has continued to supply a world for players to explore alongside their adorable animal villagers.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues to do this franchise justice with players owning a whole island and deciding exactly which villagers live on it and where. Spending every day catching bugs, fishing, or searching for fossils is one of the most relaxing experiences available, while also being able to possibly enjoy it with others.