Every May you'll see various organisations, groups and individuals taking the opportunity to raise mental health awareness. It's a topic that now has far more research, understanding and knowledge attached to it, in the process helping people recognise and get help for related issues.
The stigma around mental health issues is thankfully being reduced each year, with popular media also addressing different aspects of the topic. Mainstream movies and TV shows now increasingly portray mental health, and gaming is no different. In the gaming space this is often in the Indie or download space, but there have been some major success stories that show the importance of the subject, and gamers' eagerness to engage with titles that show creativity and emotional intelligence alongside shooty-shooty-bang-bang mechanics and spectacle.
The Switch has a number of games that tackle different aspects of mental health, such as issues of identity, self-confidence, social skills, processing and dealing with trauma, and more besides. This list picks out some exceptional games on Nintendo's system that fall into this category; a number of our team can certainly relate to these games being not only terrific to play, but being emotive and powerful experiences.
Celeste (Switch eShop)
Celeste is an exemplary amalgamation of style, mechanics, character and storytelling. A devilishly brilliant action platformer with enough skill required to excite genre purists and the speedrunning community, while at the same time featuring a breakdown of gameplay elements to customize and cater for all audiences. While the game mechanically is great, if familiar, the art style and narrative are truly special, showing both a visual and emotional range and depth that will resonate and inspire. Celeste is the absolute peak of personal exploration and discovery on Nintendo Switch.
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GRIS (Switch eShop)
We’re very careful when we use this word, but Gris is a masterpiece. Its jaw-dropping visual style and heart-wrenching score combine for one of the most emotional pieces of interactive art you’ll ever play. It may be too short for some, its puzzles may be on the simple side and the lack of any real challenge may not be to everyone’s taste, but this is a game focused more on fragility than ability and as long as you’re willing to go along for the ride, it’s one that will stick with you for a very long time indeed.
Sayonara Wild Hearts (Switch eShop)
Sayonara Wild Hearts is a rather unique experience, as it takes its concept of being a video game pop album literally. Though it'll take time getting gold medals across all levels, an 'Album' mode can see you wrap it up in less than an hour on repeat plays, with the music and gameplay combining together for a unique journey. The journey is special, too, as our protagonist confronts and conquers their past through creative, emotive play and storytelling. Essential music-driven gaming, be sure to pop in some headphones as well.
Night In The Woods (Switch eShop)
Less of a game, and more of an interactive story with some light platforming and exploring to tie it all together, Night In The Woods is one of the most rewarding experiences you can play on Nintendo Switch. A curio better played for yourself than described by us, it’s an indie title that will no doubt leave an impression with its enchanting soundtrack, disarming story and instantly identifiable character arcs. Strange and wonderful in equal measure.
Lost Words: Beyond The Page (Switch eShop)
In Lost Words: Beyond the Page you play as a young girl exploring her imagination, using words and creativity in very literal ways to shape the world around you. There's some scope for determining the story, too, but the overall narrative is a huge strength beyond the beautiful visuals and gentle platform puzzling. It's a pleasurable gaming experience also suited to less skilled players, too, but it's in the journey of our young protagonist — and the loss she must confront — that the true weight of this experience is to be found.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (Switch eShop)
To have Ninja Theory's Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice on Switch in such fine form is a blessing that you shouldn’t miss out on. The game itself is a psychological sensory experience that we thoroughly recommend, but the fact that it’s been translated to Switch in such a complete fashion is the true surprise here. It doesn’t feel like a downgrade at all – it stands proudly alongside the other ‘miracle’ ports on the system, arguably surpassing them in some ways. It's a game with extraordinary use of sound, some undoubtedly dark and challenging storytelling, and emotional moments that'll stay with you for a long time.
Florence (Switch eShop)
Florence is an evocation of the beauty, sadness and hope that comes from any human connection we make in our lives, whether with art, nature or another person. It's a succinct and incredibly successful exploration of moments you'll recognise from your own life, and the way it mirrors thoughts and feelings through small gameplay mechanics makes it one of the most affecting experiences we've enjoyed on Switch, or any other platform.
Spiritfarer (Switch eShop)
A truly pleasant game, Spiritfarer balances undemanding platforming, gentle exploration and forgiving resource management with a beautifully-realised world with a cast full of charming, likeable, memorable characters. It's a pleasure to move around in with an evocative, endearing atmosphere and a succession of gameplay styles that gel superbly and never feel like padding. It's a long game, but its cast and the touching premise will keep many going until the end.
To The Moon (Switch eShop)
To The Moon is a powerful interactive story. It's a short game but it manages to make its players directly confront uncomfortable situations and emotions with which we'll all struggle at some point in our lives. Mental illness, death, heartbreak, tragedy... it's all in here, and handled honestly within a brilliant narrative setup that allows us to watch a lifetime deconstructed, layer by layer, revealing the very human mistakes and unavoidable interruptions of fate that shape how our lives ultimately turn out. All in a matter of four or five hours.
Unpacking (Switch eShop)
Unpacking manages to do several things very well, all at the same time. It’s a touching story told through interaction, it provides the creative play space of a great dollhouse game, and it deftly applies established game design ideas from completely different genres. Its only real shortcoming — though not all will see it that way — is the repetition that is a necessary byproduct of landing its message. Effort has gone into making the controls satisfying on Switch, and the visual and sound design are delightful throughout, making Unpacking, like any sane person’s cutlery, absolutely top-drawer.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (Switch eShop)
Disco Elysium's narrative and dialogue, which is already wonderfully compelling on its own, was given a massive boost thanks to the excellent voice acting introduced for the Final Cut. The gameplay features a host of branching paths for you to explore, and while the slow, methodical approach may turn a few people off, this is nevertheless one of the most well-told stories in any medium from the last few years. With incredible writing that tackles the very core of human nature, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a triumph and stands as one of the best RPGs available on Switch.
Those are some of our recommended games that address or reference aspects of mental health; be sure to share your thoughts and suggestions for the list in the comments below — we may well add to this selection if we've missed something special.
Comments (59)
I would add Steins;gate elite and Our world is ended to the list. Both deals with parts of mental health described early in the article. Since Celeste made it, I would probably push to add the Senran kagura pinball game too maybe. It does atleast deal with identity. Kinda atleast.
No Animal Crossing: New Horizons? That game did wonders for my mental health during 2020 lockdown and provided a much needed focus and sense of structure during that unpredictable and weird time. Even now when I hear the hourly music it reminds me of lockdown.
Interesting how I own and have played all bar two (Hellblade & Florence). Some excellent general gaming & super in-game stories up there. Personal favourite was "To The Moon". "Disco Elysium" and "Night in the Woods" are superb as well.
Other suggestions:
Omori
Limbo
Child of Light
???
Off the top of my head.
(I haven't played Omori yet)
I'd reccomend Breath of the Wild, just losing yourself into its open world exploring can help with your mental health, playing games like that can make you forget about life, atleast for a few hours whilst your playing.
Most Rpg's will have that effect, like leaving your life behind for a short while whilst immersing yourself into another, the finest form of escapism
For a game that deals with mental health though I'd have to go for persona 5, especially with futaba
@Clyde_Radcliffe I think the list is about games that have mental health as heavy theming, not games that can help with personal mental health. So basically games that can make you aware of the issues.
@darkswabber Oh okay, that makes sense, though I'm not sure Unpacking deals with themes of mental health? Although I've not played it yet but didn't hear anything about it featuring such themes before.
Both "To the moon" and "Night in the woods" feature some of the very best storytelling I've ever encountered in games. Genuine cream of the crop material IMHO.
As a person who suffers from Bipolar Disorder I always appreciate mental health awareness. 9 times out of 10 I hide how I'm really feeling from others, I put a front on and pretend everything is A ok but it really isn't. You learn to live with it but it's never easy.
The more people that know about this the better.
This is a serious issue and raising awareness is a good thing. I have Celeste and enjoyed the gameplay. The messaging about mental health was in service of a simple narrative that enhanced the game. That said, I choose games for escapism and light relief to aid my own mental health, many of these games seem a bit too serious for me.
There’s games here that deal with mental health issues but I would absolutely not recommend if you are having mental health issues.
I never really got into Minecraft but recently visited my nephew's and played a few games with them including Minecraft and I found it was surprisingly relaxing, maybe even extremely so.
I can imagine me after work just booting it up and just building something in creative mode... Therapeutic is a fitting word I think 👍 chills me right out!
@Clyde_Radcliffe maybe it was too obvious….I really think it has helped me keep my sanity. It’s a great escape and diversion from reality….
Games and other media are just a distraction. You need to deal with the real root cause. Usually a parent and or a childhood trauma. You can beat this. Get up and fight back 💪
To the Moon is a fantastic game but it deals with autism, not mental illness
Just the list I needed as I've been going through my own struggles as of late. Definitely will check out To The Moon as it looks like something I can relate to these days. I would recommend Spiritfarer if you're looking for some sort of healing and life insights etc. Haven and Dreamscaper (though I suck at rogue-likes and finding it hard to progress) are also nice for calming the mind. Persona 5 Royal with its extra content adds a some mental health themes would be nice but its not on the Switch lol.
@Matty1988 Oh thats not mentioned in the article. Thanks for clarifying.
I can vouch for Celeste. Such an amazing game.
What Remains of Edith Finch is a game I'm glad I gave a chance, it's got some lovely storytelling involving grief and mental health.
Before I Forget is also a short but sweet experience, it gives a unique perspective of how dementia is handled.
I’m also not sure about Unpacking. It seems to be more about relationships than mental health - you may as well swap it for Boyfriend Dungeon, which tackles both a bit more directly. They’re both worth a look, though.
Lost Words is really well done - it is more explicitly about mental health compared to some of these games but the visual novel/platformer hybrid works beautifully and really creatively.
GRIS is one of my favorite Switch games because it is so calm and beautiful, although I hadn't really thought of it as a mental health game besides having sad vibes.
Florence is just sweet. It's not as much of a masterpiece as some of these games, but it's short and I think really worth a play even to people who aren't a fan of visual novels or point-and-click games.
Everyone knows Celeste is amazing, but I'm glad some of these less well known really good and emotional games made the list also. To the Moon (another famous one) is on my backlog... I wish a game like that were on the game-of-the-month club because it seems like it would be fun to discuss with others while playing.
Wow! What a great list of indie titles. I own most of these games and highly recommend them!
Also, realizing that I connect deeply with a list of games for mental health awareness serves as yet another reminder that I should probably go seek therapy.
Animal crossing of course is about as relaxing as it gets. Plenty of animals that walk upright loving on you, receiving mail everyday with gifts as opposed to threatening bills, relaxing Andy Griffith whistle beats, and daily jobs with no deadlines. This is THE most calm game you can find I think. I also get a leisurely feel from Lego marvel superheroes exploring the city with my little girl collecting those studs.
If you want to tackle your mental health issues, do the opposite of what is suggested here. Cut your gameplay time down, and try to get out more and socialise. I know everybody's situation is different and that going out and socialising isn't always an easy thing to do. However what I do know is if I have a mammoth gaming session of around 10 hours, I feel weird after it and a touch depressed. It's always been like that for me. Excessive gaming just isn't good for you, no matter how much we love it.
I’ve almost finished playing through Disco Elysium. As a person who is coming out of a very hard year that connects with a lot of the game’s topics, I’m glad I’m playing it now. Maybe 9 months ago it would have been too much. I appreciate the deep reflection and honesty in the game. I’m sure I’ll play it again.
I also bought Gris this week on the 75% off sale. Looking forward to it!
The Last Campfire. I've fought through depression and anxiety (still do), a lot of that coming from how I view my self worth, my regrets over past decisions, how I've handled friendships, and being trapped in my own head space. I'm fortunate enough to have sought out help with the support of my closest friends and family and this game reminded me just how difficult it can be to fight through the pain without that support. The Last Campfire is basically your character providing that support to those you meet who are dealing with those things I mentioned earlier. And many times you don't solve the other person's problems so much as you just listen to their struggles without passing judgment. Sometimes being a supportive listener can be of great help too. But overall, I think the game is a good exploration of providing support for those struggling with mental health and the profound impact that can have.
@RendoFonzarelli I just realized this recently myself. Been limiting my screen time as of late due to the terrible habits I've developed over these lockdowns. I play on shorter sessions now and avoid gaming/phones before bedtime to improve my sleep hygiene. They aren't the main culprits of insomnia and anxiety but poor gaming/screentime habits can definitely contribute.
Anodyne and it's sequel deal with mental health/isolation as well.
In fact, Anodyne 2 is one of the best games I've ever played.
How do you have Celeste but not JJ Macfield and the Island Of Lost Memories which covers similar themes but in a much more excrutiating form? 🤔
Being mostly stuck indoors, I absolutely adore the aimless wandering and free roaming that I can do in BOTW.
That game's helped me a ton.
I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone mention 'What comes after' yet.
It's a short ~ 30minute game that really makes you think about life and your outlook of it.
Hellblade really is something special, with the careful thought that went into the gameplay and audio. The game has opened up some conversations with people around me suffering from schizophrenia. It helped to ask about their experiences by showing them the game and asking what is the same and what is different. However, be sure that for people suffering from mental health problems, this game can be very intense. The game developers also warn their users about this.
Also I agree with the comments: games can help out your mental health through relaxation, and games can hinder your mental health as they can be used for escapism, inducing further depressed feelings. In the latter case, it helps to become more active and get out more. Sometimes it is difficult to know which you need, though.
Games about mental health are important to raise awareness among the general public and help someone feel understood.
I think Life Is Strange as a series is also about mental health in that sense.
I was honestly not as crazy about Celeste's story as most. It was good, but not mindblowing. That said, its still an amazing game with some of the best platforming I've ever seen.
Sayonara Wild Hearts is TRUE art, and deserves the highest praise here.
It's a game based around what is essentially a synthpop breakup album, and the gameplay deftly covers the five stages of grief, culminating in a beautifully cathartic and empowering ending. A must-play.
While games do not replace actual professional help/therapy, they can definitely be a great supplementary tool in the "treating and managing mental health conditions" toolbox.
Here are some I'd add to this list:
Cruising around in GTA V outside of a mission and carefully aiming and shooting the driver of every car in front of you, watching them make way for you as their car smoothly drifts into a ditch brings about calmness and good mental health much like a Snickers solves hunger.
So many folk seem to miss that this is a list of games that are about mental health, not games that help with mental health as that could be almost any game really depending on the person.
Anyway it’s an excellent list and yeah, Unpacking is about mental health as much as relationships for those questioning it.
What a brilliant and timely article. I have not played any of the games on this list, which is strange as it is a subject I have strong feelings about, but Celeste and Disco Elysium are now on my next to buy list. Kudos to NL for raising this often difficult to talk about issue.
They diagnosed me with autism spectrum disorder, but I'm still quite sure society is collectively insane, and I just don't want to live and kill and exploit like them, and not be lived, killed, exploited, or coerced by them.
Oh well.
Played quite a few of them, and Disco Elysium and Sayonara Wild Hearts are among the best games I ever played. Many on the list are great games from my experience as well, and made my eyes sweat vaporised testosterone condensed on my icy glare. Just kidding, they made me cry regular man-tears. I should bottle them, I hear they are in high demand.
Spiritfarer always grabs my attention, but I just can't ignore how in the trailer I saw it made no sense how she helps animal souls cross over, but is 'fishing'... Killing animals herself.
@CharlieGirl I get tears in my eyes just thinking about that emotional rollercoaster.
I think little nightmares 2 is abit about mental health
I'm surprised Lydia wasn't mentioned, given how much Nintendo Life enjoyed it.
Soul Searching has some very interesting themes, even if its gameplay struggles.
All the other games mentioned are solid. I agree with @Mario_maniac that What Remains of Edith Finch is an exceptional game about grief, loss, and mental illness. It has so many layers to it that's it worth an extra playthrough. Gone Home and Firewatch also offer good stories but not quite to the level of Edith Finch.
@Noelemahc I was gonna say the same, the Missing is the most underrated Swery game imo
@Shambo The animal souls in Spiritfarer aren’t the souls of actual animals. Their animal appearance is a metaphorical avatar.
There’s actually a bit more too it than that but I don’t want to spoil the game for anyone.
I tend to think of fps as good for mental health so you can waste enemies without ending up in the news.
I feel like I have to warn people whenever I see "To the Moon" recommended because it wasted my time, which I don't appreciate at all. A terrible game, and from any highly-rated game I don't like, To the Moon's rating is the one that baffles me by far the most.
It's nice to start with (apart from the two lead character's annoying bickering), but if you don't like it after 90 minutes, it doesn't get better.
I tried out Disco Elysium the other day and, like... I see the appeal, I get where this would absolutely land with someone who can gel with it, but I just found myself having an extremely hard time caring about anyone or anything, thought a lot of conversations seemed to just drag on and on and on, and thought it plays very awkwardly. Maybe it's since I was playing the PS5 version which is apparently buggy but it just wasn't landing for me at all.
You forgot Doki Doki Literature Club. Team Salvato is currently running a major fundraiser for Mental Health Awareness Month!
Reality is for people who can’t face video games xx
If you want a Switch game which goes straight for the jugular with mental health, I'd recommend Stilsand.
However as others have commented, perhaps if you yourself are struggling with depression then it might not be the most helpful thing in the world to play a brutally frank game about depression. On the other hand, perhaps it will help to put things into perspective and help you realise that you're not alone.
Whatever helps you on your journey.
Not on the switch, but spec ops: the line is a pretty great game.
I seriously dont understand how this list can exist without the game, ELIZA at the top of the list. In the game, you literally play a therapist as the main the character. You work with patients that have disorders and such.
Celeste is 10/10
Ah, The Great Softening of the 2010s... it'll take decades to reverse the damage.
@RendoFonzarelli That won't work for every mental health disorder. "Stop playing games and get out!" isn't the magic wand we all need. Some people need the opposite. Some people may have to socialize a lot and want to escape from that such as jobs that deal with the public all day or those who have a social anxiety.
@JustMonika Although I love Doki Doki, the explicit nature, and the way the story goes, it may be something you don't want in a list like this.
@ivory_soul
Exactly. People need professional help, not video games or be social as they are not “cure alls”. They can help someone’s mental health but does not give someone the proper tools to deal with mental health issues.
@EarlyBird94 Sadly, without health insurance mental health help is nearly impossible to get so it's inaccessible to most who need it.
@Kainbrightside Yeah, I only just recently discovered the RF series — just finished the post-game of RF4S, and loved every minute of it - it's got everything I was looking for in ACNH and Stardew combined
@Kainbrightside I did think about going back and playing the whole series, but yeah they do go for crazy money on eBay — and I tend to steer clear of emulation; it all sounds like a bit of a faff, a game would have to be REALLY high on my list to go down that route!
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