Best Cozy Games On Nintendo Switch

Handheld devices such as the Nintendo Switch are one of the most common devices where cozy games are played upon. This is usually due to the capability to lie in bed with the device while playing one of the many much-loved relaxing titles that have been proudly deemed as cozy titles.

There has been plenty of amazing crafting, farming, and overall cute games that have made their way or were originally developed for the Nintendo Switch that many cozy gamers must try. These are by far the best cozy games that can be played on the Nintendo Switch no matter if a player enjoys playing games in handheld mode or from the comfort of their television.

Updated December 31, 2023, by Megan Smith: December was a great month for cozy switch games as plenty of relaxing titles were released for the winter months. Players are still happy with their Nintendo Switch consoles, which have shown little to no signs of a new one being made for 2024 and therefore, players have continued to love these cozy Nintendo Switch games. With so many new games being added, players may be wondering what titles are now deemed the best cozy games for the Switch, with each one being ranked by their Metacritic score, of how much they have been loved on the console.

18 Palia

Metascore: TBD

Palia is a cozy life-simulator that has been combined with an MMO. This has created one of the greatest cozy experiences that players can either enjoy solo or with a friend. With it currently only being available to those on Nintendo Switch, this is the perfect relaxing game to play on the handheld console, though there are plans to bring it to Steam in 2024.

Players are free to create their own adventures by decorating their homestead the way they want, going fishing, or gardening. They can even adventure into the actual story of the game to discover why an ancient race of humans went missing.

17 Disney Dreamlight Valley

Metascore: TBD

A life sim that has been taking many players by storm is the newest Disney title that combines the likes of Animal Crossing with Stardew Valley. In Disney Dreamlight Valley players are able to live among their favorite heroes and villains from both Disney and Pixar while also helping them settle into the magical world.

Players are also free to adventure throughout the world as each loved character will give the player quests to complete that will increase the player’s friendship with them as well as unlock other exciting things.

16 No Place Like Home

Metascore: 63

Releasing recently on the Nintendo Switch, No Place Like Home is a cozy Switch game with a lot of character. Players must help clean up a post-apocalyptic world while also searching, and saving the various wildlife they may find on their adventures.

Besides the slight combat and farming, No Place Like Home has a wonderful linear story for the player to uncover; while the player is mindlessly vacuuming away the trash and rubble they will reveal an even greener world underneath it all.

15 Kirby’s Dream Buffet

Metascore: 67

Nintendo’s icons continue to be some of the cutest in gaming history and the pink ball of joy known as Kirby is no different, especially as all their games match this theme of an adorable world. The most recent spin-off title to come from this, Kirby’s Dream Buffet, is no different.

In this sweet treat grand prix of mini-games, players must race down tracks against four other Kirbys in the hope to be the one to make it to the finish line first. Eating strawberries will not only make Kirby grow but also roll faster in order to make it to the end the quickest.

14 Rune Factory 5

Metascore: 68

A franchise that has continued to be as successful as it is cozy is Rune Factory. In the RPG license’s most recent addition, Rune Factory 5, players start their life in the town of Rigbarth filled with magic and monsters.

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When the player isn’t out hunting down and defeating the deadly monsters they will instead be helping the town flourish through upgrading buildings and working on their own farm as well as bonding with the townsfolk. Bonding enough with certain members of the town will not only allow them to take these people to hunt monsters but also get even closer to them.

13 Cozy Grove

Metascore: 71

This game continues with the theme of assisting Spirits in coming to terms with their lives before becoming ghosts. Cozy Grove doesn’t only have cozy in its title but also makes for a great cozy game for players to enjoy on the Switch, especially due to the gradual progression of each ghost’s story.

What makes it even cuter is all the spirits on this island are in fact bears. Therefore, they add to this already adorable game that allows players to freely fish and collect resources while gradually expanding the things they can do.

12 Potion Permit

Metascore: 72

For players that are looking for games that share a similar style to Stardew Valley but aren’t part of the farming simulator genre then they need to look no further than Potion Permit. This adorable pixel game has the features to see itself become one of the best cozy Switch games available due to providing the player with an interesting world to explore while they help people.

In Potion Permit, the player finds themselves playing as the town’s Chemist, foraging for the ingredients needed to heal all the ailments of those in town. Although some players may find this daily grind repetitive, just being able to relax while helping the townsfolk is a brilliant time. Not to mention that players also have the chance to find love as they get to know the assortment of townies.

11 Bear And Breakfast

Metascore: 72

Another great laid-back management title that cozy gamers are sure to enjoy is the adorable Bear & Breakfast. Many players can look forward to playing this peculiar title that has them controlling a bear called Hank as he sets up his own bed and breakfast establishments to help bring humans back to the forest.

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Besides its hilarious humor and brilliant art style, Bear & Breakfast successfully establishes itself as a vital member of the cozy game community, allowing players to freely upgrade their bed and breakfast places or explore deeper into the forest.

10 A Little To The Left

Metascore: 73

Puzzle titles make for some of the best cozy Switch games available for players to enjoy while either handheld or docked. A Little to the Left is a great option with countless hours of puzzles for players to complete with an assortment of ways to solve many of them.

Creating these puzzles out of everyday objects means players can relate to a familiarity with some of the levels, such as fitting objects into a drawer or matching the cracks of a vase to put it back together. The art style for this puzzle title also makes for an incredible and cozy experience.

9 Cattails

Metascore: 75

Cozy gaming doesn’t mean the player must experience gaming as a normal human person, as shown by the cute title Cattails. In this role-playing game, players take on the role of a feral cat who can belong to one of three cat clans as they attempt to survive the seasons.

Due to living in the wild, the player must always be hunting for their next meal while helping out the fellow cats of the clan. Players can even find themselves a mate to create their own little kitten family, with so much more in store for players to find out.

8 Cult Of The Lamb

Metascore: 79

Out of all the combinations of things to be combined, many players may not have thought it would be possible to combine cute with cults. However, Cult of the Lamb does this not only brilliantly but also creates one of the best cozy games for the Nintendo Switch.

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While playing as an adorable lamb who is the leader of a cult, players must defeat enemies and bosses in a randomly generated world that uses roguelike mechanics. They must also look after their flock to expand their cult as well as engage in base building.

7 Sky: Children Of The Light

Metascore: 82

A great cozy Switch game that is not only filled with relaxation but also an adorable world is the open-world social indie title known as Sky: Children of the Light. While Sky: Children of the Light was originally a mobile game, it has been ported to other consoles like the Nintendo Switch. This game doesn’t throw anything particularly complex at players, resulting in a very chill and relaxing experience.

Besides the simplistic nature of the game, the music and atmosphere of Sky are sure to leave many players in a state of pure bliss as they find themselves holding hands with other players as they fly around.

6 Roots of Pacha

Metascore: 82

Farming simulators are one of the coziest genres available on the Nintendo Switch, one of the recent games that puts a fun twist on the farming genre by making players experience the life of a caveman. Roots of Pacha sees the player gather wild seeds, plant crops, and evolve their tribe to become more advanced.

Players will unlock other areas to explore where they can find other tribes to visit and animals to tame, until they have finally created a great place for themselves and the rest of the tribe.

5 Dorfromantik

Metascore: 82

Cozy games don’t all have to be open-world farming games but instead can also be relaxing puzzles instead. One great example of this is Dorfromantik, which finally received a release on the Nintendo Switch. In this building strategy game players put together tiles in the hope to build a world while also making points by matching up certain elements such as trees, houses, rivers, or rails.

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Besides a quick play as well as other puzzle challenges, players can also free play where they have full control to make the biggest world out of tiles with no issue about running out or making points.

4 Spiritfarer

Metascore: 84

Starting off strong, by far one of the best cozy games on the Nintendo Switch that many players have already been enjoying for countless hours is the emotional journey that can be experienced in the management simulator Spiritfarer.

Players have the freedom to explore countless islands and build up their boats with a variety of crops and workstations while working towards a set goal. Helping spirits pass over to the afterlife will lead to many dramatic moments when players must finally say their goodbyes to the spirits they have bonded with.

3 Unpacking

Metascore: 86

Unpacking Is a pleasant puzzle-like title that has players searching through boxes of stuff to unpack it into various rooms and houses. It follows the life of a girl as she moves into a new house as a kid, goes to college, and eventually finds a home for herself.

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These cozy video games are perfect for players who want to unwind after a stressful day.

While the levels get larger, the cozy vibe of Unpacking remains as relaxing music plays while the players find the right places for each object. It is certain to satisfy someone’s relaxation time for a couple of hours while telling quite an emotional story of self-worth and discovery.

2 Stardew Valley

Metascore: 87

One of the best cozy games on the Nintendo Switch which countless players have fallen in love with is the role-playing as well as farming simulator title Stardew Valley. Players are free to start their own farm with animals or just crops while getting to know the townsfolk and helping them with their tasks.

Besides the goal of bringing the town hall back to life by collecting different items, players are mainly free to do whatever they wish to make the most of their time in Stardew. Be it fishing, farming, or even exploring underground.

1 Animal Crossing New Horizons

Metascore: 90

This wouldn’t be a proper “cozy games on the Nintendo Switch” discussion if it didn’t include one of the most iconic titles on the console. Animal Crossing is not only a staple of the genre but also continues to be a relaxing game that players have returned to over and over again.

Animal Crossing New Horizons continues to bring back its audience as players were able to not only live among their favorite animal villagers but also freely sculpt the island to fit their aesthetic. Gathering resources and building their own furniture added another well-needed mechanic to make the franchise feel fresh.

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