Best Cozy Games On Switch

Odd that Haven Park is on the list- the site hasn’t yet published a review

Highly recommend a short hike for those who haven't played. The game is indeed short, but totally worth it, especially for the 4 euros or something that it costs. I'd also recommend Part Time UFO, I don't know if it really counts as wholesome but it is really chill and I've had a lot of fun playing it with friends

No House of Fata Morgana?

Asking for a friend. (Norman Bates.)

As good as Stardew Valley is, there are far more wholesome bokumono games on the Switch, including Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town. Stardew actually has a real dark streak with its functioning alcoholics and brooding teenagers - which is great, but not exactly "wholesome".

As another alternative to the legions of cute birbs and happy kittehs, I also really like Two Point Hospital in the wholesome category. Hospital sims are not what most people think of first, but TPH is so cute and upbeat about everything that it makes an amazing destressor.

So the entire article is to promote Haven Park

Thank you for the list, Kate! I didn’t realize I was so into wholesome games until seeing I owned the majority of these entries.

My kiddos and I especially enjoyed ACNH, A Short Hike, Yoku’s, and Untitled Goose.

I guess these balance out the guiltier pleasure games I’ve played on my own, like Dark Souls, Darkest Dungeon, and Road Redemption. 😅

Yoshi’s Crafted World is about 100x more wholesome than Untitled Goose Game.

I wouldn't call a game where a goose unties a boy's shoelaces, steals his glasses, and honks at him until he traps himself in a phone box "wholesome" per say, but it certainly also wouldn't be the most demented thing I've seen internet users call wholesome in earnest.

I totally agree with A Short Hike. That is the game I run to when I’m having a bad day.

@JasmineDragon it’s a huge time sink, but I’m not sure about 2.H being a destressor. I’ve had some very stressful sessions on the verge of bankruptcy at 1:00 am...

Does Pokemon snap count as wholesome?

Playing Yoku while reading this. It’s a gem.

The entire purpose of Entitled Goose Game is to take thrill in harassing people. Doesn't sound especially "wholesome" to me.

Okay, I played through Captain Toad Treasure Tracker not too long ago and, my goodness, that has to be one of the most underrated Mario games I have ever played. The puzzles are ingeniously designed, it's friggin adorable, and it's delightful from beginning to end. It's definitely worth checking out if you haven't yet.

Great article Kate, I’ve never thought of wholesome as a category. I’ve played half of these and will probably try the rest, except animal crossing.

@JasmineDragon I was actually just about to comment "Wheres Stardew?" But you're completely right. It's more of a relaxing overall experience. But it gets into some pretty serious topics. It's still my favorite game of all time most likely, but I see why it wouldn't fit into this list.

I've massively enjoyed a bunch of these, as have my kids. Spiritfarer for me has possibly been my favourite thing I've played this year - it's not necessarily the best game but it sort of came along at the right time for me, and even though I'm pretty much done with it for the moment I still think about it sometimes.

Keen to try Good Job though it never appears on a discount!

GOLF STORY!

(honorable mention)

Solid list! A Short Hike is fantastic.

I would add New Super Lucky’s Tale to the list, that’s a very wholesome feeling game. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, laidback platformer.

May sound silly but DDLC Plus’ side stories are the most feel good things I’ve ever played in my life. So that’s something I’d vote for!

I started playing Alba recently with my Apple Arcade subscription and it's a wonderful game. The perfect holiday game for those who can't go on holiday. Play it if you haven't!

Wandersong is also pretty lovely as well. Made me cry! Not that that's hard but still!

Two suggested additions:

1) Cozy Grove. Talking to, listening to, and completing quests for ghosts that have unresolved issues from their lives. Through the game you help them accept things that happened to them in life and ultimately forgive themselves and others. It’s frequently touching, and very wholesome. It does touch on some sad and difficult themes at times.

2) Ni No Kuni. What’s more wholesome than helping and healing the broken hearted? It does contain a lot of combat (with creatures, not people), so this one depends on your definition of wholesome. Downright charming from beginning to end.

Where's Doki Doki Literature Club? That game is so cute and wholesome!

Calico is tragically underappreciated. It's full of heart and joy... and yes, glitches, I know. BUT! The glitches lend to the game's vibe. Deer clipping through walls? It must be magic! Floating red panda? Magic! Weird wiggle controls? Magic!

Calico is such a passion project that deserves more attention.

All the same, BIG thanks to @KateGray for curating some lovely lists lately!

I adored Yoku's Island Express. Quite possibly the most feel good title screen on the Switch! (Honestly, youtube it or something. It's brill!)

The Alto Collection deserves a place on this list I think.

I am playing Part Time UFO right now. It's a great "wholesome" game. It should be on this list. Also, good call on Yoku's Island Express. Highly enjoyable and wholesome, though stressful at times.

Yoku was my nicest suprise on Switch. Great game.

A Short Hike was a lot of fun. Very chill and genuine exploration game.

Great list. I'll also through in Thomas Was Alone.

I think a list like this needs to be broken down in to experiences and games.

Comparing the outstanding "A Short Hike" to the also outstanding "Stardew Valley" or even putting them on the same list is not that useful. It's like a list of "best building materials". You need to ask what your building first.

Anyone who wants to play a game and gets "A Short Hike" is going to be disappointed, as will anyone looking to Stardew for a narrative experience. The current title is just awkward.

Own 9 of those 10 games listed.
A decade ago I would never have touched those types of games. Guess as you get older, you just yearn for more chilled vibes.

(also have Littlewood too which is very relaxed and wholesome 👍)

Sweet list! Very wholesome stuff! Love it.

I love Stardew Valley, but putting one of the darkest, most disturbing, borderline psychological horror games ever made on a "wholesome" list is ... odd

Between causally murdering your own children who will then HUNT YOU AS GHOSTS, the fact that every home is broken by a truly horrific secret including the ONGOING sexual abuse of a child, a girl who's mother is SO desperate that her husband doesn't learn of an affair that she's been gas lit to the point where she believes and tells everyone her hair is dyed despite having no memory of that ever happening, and an abusive alcoholic who beats her adult daughter, this is a game that is always one discovery a way from completely redefining your perception of events. Don't even get me started on the post-apocalyptic nightmare world it takes place in.

Although if you just run a farm and are careful to never, EVER, read anything or click on anything in a persons house ... yeah that's super relaxing and wholesome.

Short Hike is wonderful. Some may recall the days when "controls" used to be marked in reviews? Well, for this, 9 out of 10, it's just lovely to play!

I can confirm that Untitled Goose Game is a thoroughly wholesome experience.

No mention of ‘Wandersong’? It’s only the most wholesome game ever made, no big deal 🤷‍♂️

a short hike was fantastic.

@HeadPirate

Spiritfarer has rekindled my love for games. It's music, story, management has really captivated me into its world. And it's one game I can safely say that I love. Even when I'm not playing I'm thinking about it.

@E_Gadds_Garage Nice One! While I think that New Super Lucky's Tale has stressful difficulty spike, the game shouldn't be missed

What I like about these is that they can be played by most of the family AND are actually quality video games. I have played and enjoyed all except Alba and Haven

I love Untitled Goose Game but I don't know if it is actually wholesome. You literally bully a child and make him fall in a puddle. If you weren't an amazingly charming and expectedly bumhole of a goose it'd be an awful game.

As others have said Part Time UFO deserves a spot! Super happy to see Yoku's Island get a mention though.

I don't do wholesome games....

I love most of these games, but I also love the topic: wholesome.

Yes we can argue over the wording, but here is the point: My coworkers try to get me to play certain games that I know are unwholesome: beating up, brutally killing people, animals, aliens etc. I say no thank you. I don't judge them, and I will even converse about their games and what I do like about them.

But, when I spend time in front of my tv, with my kids walking around, I want to play a game that lifts my spirit, a game that soothes my soul. Some parts of those games are hard in different ways: Spiritfarer, Celeste, but ultimately I feel better after playing the game.

You can play your games, I have no problem with that. But I am very glad there are wholesome games out there.

Stillness of the wind

"at the end of the day, we're all going to die". Well, there's a wholesome thought to have in mind watching the sun the sun slowly set behind the grey mass of clouds.

But there's still time to disagree, and if Untitled Goose Game is wholesome, then so is Bully.

Box Boy is on my list.

Kinda surprised Yoshi’s Crafted World didn’t make this list

Doesn’t the farmer basically collapse from the gooses antics? Murder goose might not be that wholesome

I played through Haven Park today. It's pretty good, but maybe more like a 5 out of 10 kind of game. It's no Short Hike, that's for sure. And I know it's not trying to be the same thing exactly, but the lack of polish kind of hurt the experience, along with a lack of direction (which SH also doesn't give you, but exploration feels more natural and rewarding in that game). The building of camp sites felt pretty pointless in Haven Park though. It's extremely limited, the visitors dont say anything interesting, and you get nothing really out of it. The natural exploration and finding your way up the mountain is relatively satisfying, but the main path alone only takes a couple of hours, and isn't as fun of an ascension as SH. I'm glad I only paid $10 for it.

The Last Campfire. The premise might be a little macabre and at times can feel sad but that makes it all the more remarkable just how hopeful the game is underneath it all. It's a game about helping people struggling with regret, doubt, fear and loneliness and moving forward from the past no matter how much it hurts. It is a truly uplifting game that believes in the good inside us all.

Disturbing lack of Later Alligator

Glad to see Captain Toad got the recognition it deserves, I always find myself back at that game after a while for the smiley feeling of it.

Also, where's Yoshi's Crafted World?

Nice article but Stardew and Goose Game ain't wholesome

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a wonderful game. It starts off with a boat crash (Don't worry, everyone is fine!) But the rest of the game is spent wondering the island chopping trees, raising game, joining guilds etc. Lots of peaceful exploring.

Another game I often see overlooked is "I Am Dead" which is a short and very sweet game. It's a point and click adventure where you play from the point of view of a museum curator on an island who has passed on and uncovers history of the island and the positive impact of other individuals who had also lived on the island. That being said, although most of the game is very heartwarming, there is one point of the story near the end of the game that does become quite dark. I really did love this game.

@Damo Because I can. 😉

Lonely Mountains Downhill is a great game that I think fits the wholesome criteria and was rated very highly by this website. Personally, I have enjoyed it quite a bit and find myself picking that game over all the others regularly. Lots of fun paths to explore and just a fun time while playing

It seems that most of the Wholesome games come from the indi sector. Maybe that's why I play very few of them.

For me, best cosy gift I done was getting retroarch on my series x and able to play (and own) so many n64 games, metroid prime etc.
These here were all my cozy go to games.
Wouldve been happy to buy these on switch, but since nintendo is so anti consumer, dev mode is the next best thing!

I would add No Mans Sky in this list, stick it in Casual mode and just potter about. In fact I'm playing an Expedition and just having a jolly good romp around and having a nice chilled time

@TruthisRare I gotta figure that out myself. I haven’t modded any consoles to make importable files yet.

@antisumo That sounds like something I’d enjoy.

(+) all the atelier games.

Sky: Children of the Light 100% belongs on this list. More than any other game I've played, it is designed to instigate friendships. For someone as socially inept as me, it's honestly unbelievable how people will stick to you like glue if you just show them a little kindness.

PAN-PAN, Boxboy+Boxgirl, the Dadish series, Sumire, Hoa, Forager, Calm Colors, Liar Princess, I Am Setsuna, Link's Awakening, Yoshi's Crafted World, and really most if not all of the recent Pokemon games are also worthy entries.

Since they're still not on the list, obligatory shoutout to a couple more examples arguably oozing coziness like Dragon Caffi, Little Dragon Cafe and Marchen Forest (and heck, why not all of Atelier while at it?). Alongside Doraemon SoS and likely a lot more I'm not recalling past 2 AM here.

My recommendation.

I would definitely add the Atelier games. Ryza 1& 2 and Sophie 2 are just about the coziest JRPGs around.

Personally I don't think Cult of the Lamb is very cozy. Cute yes - but not very relaxing. You might as well mention Hollow Knight and Hades at that point.
No Man's Sky on peaceful difficulty tho. Utterly breathtaking and very chill.
I'd also like to add Song of the Evertree. It's made by the Cloudcatcher team but you make little island worlds, collect resources to build villages.

@Nancyboy get it, you'll not be disappointed. The difficulty can be changed to suit you and how you want to play. Apparently you can farm too, it's a game that keeps giving

I would recommend Wandersong as a cozy game for this list.

Edit: Hoa too.

@Anti-Matter I've always been back and forth on whether to get this

Honestly didn't really like Alba. TOEM is a much better cozy game in a similar vein, imo

@Nancyboy
On xbox series s & x you download the dev mode app, pay 20 dollar sign up fee on Microsoft website (to keep it legal and keep you from being banned) then through the dev mode you bring up retroarch and that is where you download roms (emulated games)
There's plenty of YouTube vids that shiw you step by step.
Honestly, having so many downloaded n64 games has brought back good ol gaming joy.
Pity nintendo doesn't know what they're doing anymore.
Having bugger all games on nso is just poor (not to mention you can't buy any of them, and the emulation of some of their games runs better on retroarch)
I wouldve glady bought an n64 mini console or any of their games on switch as the n64 console/games still remains my favourite out of every generation of gaming, including current gen which to me on ALL consoles is poor.
Only thing I like series x for is the ability to play 360, og, back compat games, and retroarch, that's it.

Summer in Mara definitely deserves a places on this list

The Last Campfire ...I second that. It's excellent and very cosy.

A short hike is my fav cozy game. Wish they could make a sequel 😋🥰

Seeing Snufkin here makes me feel cozy.
I usually seek out cozy games to escape from harrowing challenge. But a game that was once challenging to me can become cozy with familiarity.

I wouldn’t call Dragon Quest 11 cozy unless you mean nostalgic.

Suggest add Frog Detective

Sorry to say, but a lot of these games are nothing special and pretty boring compared to Wylde Flowers.

@Ballyglunin Was looking for this comment. Wylde Flowers is stupendous, a definite cozy staple.

You should add Donut County to the list.

Spiritfarer is one of the best experiences I have had in a game, and it caught me completely by surprise. Very highly recommended!!

I don't find Stardew valley at all cosy, I get far too stressed with watching the clock on this game. The time goes far too quickly for me to relax. I wish I could slow it down and so I could take more time investigating, farming & planning things.

@CarSickKitty Seconded! I love the game but the time needs the be slower, I want time to do my farming and talk to everyone without the stress. I end up trying prioritise one over the other which never works 🫨

As much as I absolutely LOVED Unpacking, I couldn't help but wish there was more to it!
I plowed through it in basically two sittings loving every minute with it. I would gladly pay for more stories/levels in Unpacking

Like I was kinda expecting that the last level of the game would see you "packing" away the belongings of the unseen person (ie with them having passed away)

Either way such a stupidly entertaining game

Just don't forget that there's the whole "dark star" mode as well!

@CarSickKitty I'm with you!
I LOVE Stardew, but it is FAR from a cozy game! I am always stressing out wondering if I've gotten everything for the Community Center and constantly forgetting to gift to the villagers.

Amazingly fun game, but by no means is it as relaxing as some claim it to be haha
Though maybe it's a bit more relaxing in multiplayer where you have another player able to give you a hand?

@CarSickKitty I don't get the hype with Stardew Valley as a cozy game and while it's got a lot of content, the graphics are also something that put me off. As I said earlier, I'm surprised not to see Wylde Flowers and far better than Story of Seasons or Animal Crossing. The story and actor voices are hard to beat, but of course after 50 hours of playing it also gets boring and people are praying for Wylde Flowers 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1896700/Wylde_Flowers/

@Ballyglunin I agree with you 100%, but hey what do we know