Blue Monday. No, not just a kick-ass New Order song, but the name coined by marketers for the third Monday in January — purportedly the 'most depressing day of the year'. While the genesis and questionable 'science' behind this dreary moniker is smirk-worthy, looking after your mental health is something everyone should take seriously, especially after the emotional drubbing so many of us have taken recently.
For many people, digital worlds in video games have been a saving grace in recent months. If you're feeling down and you're after a little video gaming pick-me-up, we've got just the thing. While the scope and function of interactive entertainment has grown far beyond mere escapism these days, games are still a brilliant way to jump into a totally different environment and get away from it all when things are looking grim — and there is plenty of positivity to be found in the Switch games we've assembled to lift your spirits.
Below you'll find a non-exhaustive list of just some of the games Team NL love to fire up when we're in need of cheering up (and when the N64 isn't hooked up for a blast of Banjo-Kazooie). Obviously, hanging out with friends is a great way to beat the blues, so you might want to start with our selections of the best couch co-op Switch games or best Switch party games if you're not a solo gamer, or perhaps check out our selection of the best games to play if you can't leave the house.
If you're twiddling your thumbs on your own, though, let's take a look at our picks — in no particular order — of the best feel-good games on Nintendo Switch.
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Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
Stuck inside dreaming of taking off on a world trip and escaping this dreariness? You could always go 2D with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, or Super Mario Maker 2, but Mario's latest full-fat 3D platformer takes you on a tour of the world that's sure to lift your spirits. Whether you're a people person who prefers the hustle and, indeed, bustle of New Donk City or prefer the quiet contemplation and isolation available on the surface of the moon, Super Mario Odyssey's got it all. It doesn't get more upbeat than this.
Or does it?...
Puyo Puyo Tetris (Switch)
Arguably the ultimate puzzling mashup, there's something for everyone and colour to spare in Puyo Puyo Tetris. Whether you're into puyos or tetrominos, the game will tap into your nostalgia for either while also giving you a respect for the other. With plenty to enjoy for solo or multiple players, you really can't go wrong firing this up of an evening.
There's also the sequel, too — you can't go wrong with either.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is like a warm, relaxing cup of something. We beat the main game long ago, but we still fire it up regularly simply to roam around Hyrule finding the odd Korok seed and letting the rolling hills and clean digital air calm our nerves. We find it great for stress relief (and we found sailing the Great Sea in The Wind Waker equally soothing), but Breath of the Wild's engaging gameplay and general gorgeousness make it perfect for lifting your spirits and beating the blues in in any other month of the year, too.
Link's Awakening is equally lovely if you're after a more traditional Zelda adventure, too.
SEGA AGES Sonic The Hedgehog (Switch eShop)
Another standby we dive into whenever we're feeling down, a quick blast through Green Hill Zone can be rather restorative. Obviously the melodious mix of music, waterfalls and dancing flowers is likely to lighten your mood, but it's more than that. It's an odd and comforting thing to navigate through an old favourite on little more than muscle memory. We'd liken it to listening to a favourite song, or perhaps closer, playing your favourite song on a musical instrument; something about the mechanics of it soothes the soul.
Sonic the Hedgehog is available on virtually every console you own, as is its even-better sequel, Sonic 2. You can't go wrong with either.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
The arrival of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Switch made us think back to how we abandoned our Wild World town when Animal Crossing: New Leaf arrived. We regret not saying goodbye properly to the residents of our town (Dibly, because 'Crinkley Bottom' was over the character limit) and, alas, we've done the same with Bell Air, our poor old New Leaf town. Still, we're way too distracted catching fish and making custom designs to linger on the past and New Horizons is proving to be the perfect tonic to the trying times we're living in. Whatever entry you have to hand, though, Animal Crossing is the most heart-warming and delightful of games.
Stardew Valley (Switch eShop)
With more of a focus on farming than the previous entry, Stardew Valley is a country life sim that's equally captivating if you're looking to escape the January drudgery. After inheriting your farm there's a lot of work to do but like any of the very best sims, soon all the elements click into place and the joy of running a well-oiled machine takes over. With a very pleasant 16-bit style to the visuals, this is a wonderful way to get away from it all wherever you take your Switch.
The Touryst (Switch eShop)
A lovely little mixture of atmospheric puzzles, low-key exploration and minigame mayhem, The Touryst was one of 2019's most entertaining gems which arguably got a little lost in the other big releases towards the end of the year. It's bursting with joyous energy and surprises; the very definition of short and sweet. It's a great time for tourysm.
Just Shapes & Beats (Switch eShop)
This one caught us by surprise, but Just Shapes & Beats is an utter delight. Don't let the label 'musical bullet hell' put you off - this is an accessible and joyous chiptune romp with homages to gaming's past and an infectious, positive spirit. It may well have passed you in the flood of releases hitting the Switch eShop - do yourself a favour and try out on of the best feel-good games on Switch.
New Super Lucky's Tale (Switch)
One of the surprise announcements last year alongside a couple of other previously Xbox-exclusive games that have since arrived on Switch, New Super Lucky’s Tale is a great port of an underrated platformer that features a greatly improved camera and channels the spirit of the golden age of 3D platformers. It's a little on the short side and may not provide much of a challenge to more hardened gamers, but it's got an uncanny ability to make us smile.
Comments (33)
tropical freeze? that's the only game that have made me want to throw my switch in rage.
if i want a feel-good platformer i'll return to rayman legends: colorful worlds you can complete at your own pace, great art, funny animations, nice music..
Added A Short Hike and 3D All-Stars.
@dartmonkey can you make a game list to help with anxity plz?
@Snatcher We've got a Relaxing Switch Games list which should fit the bill, and yesterday we discussed some of the team's favourite 'comfort food' games, too.
https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-relaxing-switch-games-chill-games-for-nintendo-switch
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/talking_point_whats_your_comfort_food_game
@dartmonkey Thanks.
No Yoshi’s Crafted World? Lunacy
Blue Monday the song is fantastic. Blue Monday the day is utter drivel, manufactured so influencers can say they’re ‘like so depressed’ while people who are actually suffering from depression have to deal with it every single day, not just when ‘science’ tells us to.
Ah, tis' a decent list, Mr. Dartmonkey.
@fco I've lately wondered if I should try funky kong mode, or lower difficulty, since I've barely touched Tropical Freeze for the same reason.
There are countless of those! No Kirby?
Alot of great games on this list, and even though Breath of The Wild may not be my favorite Zelda game, there is something so soothing around roaming around the rolling, windy hills in the first area you start in that calms the nerves. It sends you where your inner peace needs to be.
This list basically just feels like a random assortment of games.
I would also give recommendations to Wandersong and Vitamin Connection for best feel good games as well.
I'd also add Pokemon SS, Rayman Legends, Smash Bros, Monster Boy and Mario Kart. Great games for cheering up.
By the way, I really hope there's a sequel for The Touryst. Great idea, visuals and gameplay, but a little too short and limited. I'd like to see a big expansion of that idea.
Not even that Yoshi game developed bt the company actually NAMED Good-Feel, Yoshi's Crafted World. What gives? I mean I know it's no Island or Woolly World but it still gives some darn good feels. Absolute blasphemy.
Am I broken that I find stuff like Mega Man X or Dark Souls/Skyrim more relaxing? It kinda makes sense to me that a "feel good" game is a game that you are very comfortable with, and hence you can relax into, like ninjutsu.
-2021 NINJAS CAN'T RELAX NINJA APPROVED-
@fco 100% agree
@nessisonett
It is totally a marketing gimmick being the furthest possible Monday away from Xmas but still within the new year vibe thing. Or something.
It's a bizarre, thoughtless trivialisation, considering the hardships some go through for Xmas.
Therefore this list is missing Hellblade and Gris.
But seriously, this list is great. I find Botw really soothing, lynels notwithstanding, and SMO is the right side of difficulty and wonderfully upbeat (despite the generic storyline)
I'd add Kirby Star Allies and BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! to the list. Both of these games gave me that "feel good" vibe while providing me a fun experience.
I'd would add Yoshi's Crafted World to the list, but...yuck, that game's vibe was more tiring and monotonous than feel good, in my opinion
I bought A Short Hike over the weekend and I am still amazed by it. Just the act of flying around the island feels relaxing.
I've also been playing Ikenfell on Xbox (which is also on Switch). I find it really charming so far.
Spiritfarer deserved a mention. A beautiful little game.
Kirby and Yoshi don't get a lot of representation on these lists...Star Allies and Crafted World are essentially the definition of "feel good"
Even though I’d played it so many years ago, I felt rare elation recently showing FFX and X2 on switch to my wife. Going from the generally somber, bittersweet at best FFX to the joy of the perfect ending of FFX2 was wonderful.
Agreed on Kirby, MK8D, Yoshi and the criminally under rated Rayman Legends.
Ring fit was the feel good hit of the summer.
Good to see Horizon Chase Turbo get a mention. It's such a fun game.
For years, Super Mario 64 has been my go to game when I just want to be comforted. It means a lot to me to finally have it on Switch.
Glad it wasn't just me... I found DK Tropical Freeze to be extremely frustrating... poor controls, inconsistent jumps, confusing attacks... I have beat just about every Mario game (and Celeste for that matter) and I gave up quickly on DK.
The list is pretty silly... but 3D World and Yoshi should be on it.
The Touryst is kinda just alright, it was fun enough for a few hours but there's much better pickings here (A Short Hike, Animal Crossing, etc.)
I can agree on Tropical Freeze. Its indeed damn hard at times, but the overall vibe just drags you out of lockdown into this happy colorful mess. Really loved that game.
Best feel good games and nothing from Good Feel? I guess they only have one title on the Switch, though.
Yeah, this is a dumb list.
@Snatcher
Here are games I have found really good for anxiety:
~Hades
~Bastion
~Solitaire
I would place Pikmin 3 above these all, it is an underrated jewel in occident. The only stress you get is returning on time to your ship every night, apart from that , the most relaxing game ever.
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