Best Cozy Games for the Nintendo Switch that are Hidden Gems
Published: Thu Oct 26 2023
Table Of Contents
What are the Best Cozy Games on Switch in 2023?
Step into a world of warmth and magic with cozy games on the Nintendo Switch! If you’re a fan of hidden gems that offer relaxation and enchantment, you’re in for a treat as our curated selection of games below has you covered with the best cozy games to play on switch in 2023. As always, this list is made for gamers by gamers and ranks the games based on metrics created for each niche, we hope you enjoy and find some great games to try out.
Metrics
| ✓ Visuals | ✓ Soundtrack | ✓ Exploration |
| ✓ Pace | ✓ Cosy Vibes |
Spiritfarer 5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Buy the game on Steam and Nintendo Store
Impression
In the heartwarming world of Spiritfarer (released 2020) you’re not just a player; you’re a compassionate ferrymaster guiding lost souls to their final rest. With 1-2 players, you’ll embark on a remarkable journey as you befriend and nurture wayward spirits, helping them find solace in their journey towards the ultimate farewell. This enchanting title is renowned for its soothing soundtrack and exquisite hand-drawn visuals that breathe life into a captivating narrative. Your role? To provide a loving home for these spirits by crafting and enhancing their living spaces aboard your boat, all while delving into their pasts and aiding them in accepting their life and eventual passing. Traverse a vast and diverse array of islands, gathering and managing resources, fishing, cooking, and tending to your garden to forge deeper bonds with the spirits under your care. Spiritfarer also offers a delightful co-op mode for shared adventures.
The game boasts breathtaking illustrations, emotionally resonant gameplay and dialogue, the perfect blend of resource management and exploration, and the profound immersion facilitated by its evocative soundtrack and meaningful characters. Each element feels purposeful, making this a truly extraordinary experience. Also available: Farewell Edition.
Sky: Children of the Light 4.75
Ratings (Out of 5)
Buy the game on Steam and the App Store and Google Play
Impression
In the captivating world of Sky: Children of the Light (released 2021), you step into a realm of wonder where you embody the Children of the Light. Your mission is to take to the skies and restore fallen stars back to their constellations. While the journey is primarily single-player, an online option lets you connect with up to 8 fellow travellers. Glide gracefully through the ethereal world of Sky, where collaboration is the key to exploring, solving intricate puzzles, and unveiling the world’s enigmatic mysteries.
One key features that sets the game apart is the sense of camaraderie it fosters. As you navigate this dreamlike realm, you’ll cross paths with players from around the globe. Every season brings new characters, each with their unique tales to share, adding depth and charm to your adventure. Personalize your character, and watch friendships flourish as you gift candles of light to one another.
Sky has breathtaking, dreamlike visuals, which captivate and immerse you in an enchanting world that feels like a living canvas. Unlike traditional dialogue-heavy narratives, Sky relies on gameplay to convey its emotional and meaningful story, offering a tranquil and contemplative experience. The game’s cross-platform play enables harmonious collaboration between players on different devices, uniting a global community. With regular updates and engaging events, Sky ensures that the journey never truly ends, inviting you to soar higher and discover more with each passing season.
Mythic Ocean 4.5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Buy the game on Steam and Nintendo Store and XBox
Impression
In Mythic Ocean (released 2021) you venture into a captivating single-player narrative-driven game where you embark on a mesmerizing journey across the vast ocean. Here, you engage in meaningful conversations with a diverse cast of gods and sea creatures. Your role is to offer counsel to six distinct gods, each interaction shaping your story and, in turn, the world’s fate. You are free to explore the ocean’s depths at your own leisure, forging connections with the enigmatic sea creatures and guiding their world’s destiny through your choices. Building relationships with this eclectic array of characters is central, as combat and challenges take a backseat to tranquil and soothing gameplay. The pace is yours to dictate, allowing you to explore and interact in your preferred order and fully immerse yourself in the enchanting narrative.
The game’s visually striking world are brought to life by a wondrous art style. The relaxed atmosphere embraces your freedom to explore on your terms, granting you a truly audiovisual experience that enhances the dreamlike gameplay. Multiple endings and hidden secrets add to the game’s replay value, beckoning you to dive deeper into this rich and captivating oceanic narrative.
Cozy Grove 4.25
Ratings (Out of 5)
Buy the game on Steam and Nintendo Store and Netflix Games
Impression
Cozy Grove (released 2021) is a serene single-player life simulation game in which you step into the role of a Spirit Scout, finding solace on the mystical island of Cozy Grove. Your mission is to provide comfort to spirits and apparitions, guiding them towards inner peace by undertaking quests, gathering vital resources, and fostering cherished bonds with the island’s friendly residents. In a uniquely charming twist, the game syncs with real-time, granting you 30-60 minutes of daily quest content, after which you’re free to explore, craft, decorate, and fish at your own leisure. Your journey unfolds against a backdrop of a vibrant and cozy hand-drawn world, where every nook hides secrets, resources await your collection, and your interactions with the environment breathe life back into the island. Customize your campsite, nurture your community, and witness the island’s transformation with the changing seasons.
Cozy Grove has a truly dynamic gameplay, where the passage of time and shifting seasons encourage you to return, ensuring each visit brings new discoveries. Set against a backdrop of soothing melodies, the game embodies a laid-back and tranquil atmosphere, inviting you to savour every moment. With charming encounters and opportunities to forge heartfelt connections, the individual backgrounds of each spirit add depth and meaning to the narrative. The game’s visual charm thrives on the ebb and flow of the seasons, delivering a fresh and visually appealing experience. Offering a non-pressurized, stress-free gaming environment, Cozy Grove fosters a sense of community thanks to developers who are responsive to player feedback, creating a truly harmonious and heartwarming gaming experience.
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition 4
Ratings (Out of 5)
Buy the game on Steam and Nintendo Store and PlayStation and XBox
Impression
In the atmospheric world of Kentucky Route Zero: TV edition, which made its Switch debut in 2020, you embark on a solitary journey deep beneath the surface, traveling the underground highways of Kentucky. Across the game’s five acts, you’ll encounter a mesmerizing cast of characters, including a young woman enveloped by phantoms, a child and his trusty eagle, and robot musicians. The game weaves a tapestry of themes touching on loneliness, identity, and the passage of time. As you progress, you’ll engage in meaningful conversations, solve puzzles, and make pivotal decisions, all conveyed through visually striking yet subtly muted scenes that give life to the game’s dreamlike atmosphere. The narrative’s direction and conclusion are in your hands, with your choices shaping the story.
Kentucky Route Zero is renowned for its deep, surreal storytelling and its immersive blend of 2D and 3D art styles. The emotive characters that populate this world are shaped by your choices and interactions, fostering a unique and emotionally rich experience. Accompanied by an immersive and moody soundtrack, the game offers significant replay value due to its multiple possible endings. If you’re drawn to the cozy allure of nocturnal drives through the rain, this thought-provoking journey is sure to resonate with you.
Bear and Breakfast 4
Ratings (Out of 5)
Buy the game on Steam and Nintendo Store
Impression
In the heart of 2022, Bear and Breakfast emerged as a delightful single-player adventure, casting you in the furry role of Hank. Playing as a bear with a vision, you decide to transform an abandoned woodland shack into a cozy bed and breakfast, setting the stage for a charming and heartwarming journey. As you delve into the game, you’ll channel your inner innkeeper, managing and upgrading the inn’s rooms, carefully curating its decor, and making it a welcoming haven for guests.
But this isn’t just a tale of hospitality; it’s an exploration of mysteries lurking within the forest. Your days will be filled with interactions with intriguing guests, embarking on quests that weave captivating stories, and venturing into the depths of the lush forest. What truly sets Bear and Breakfast apart is the power of choice. Your decisions ripple through the narrative, shaping both the storyline and the bonds you forge along the way.
The game features an enchanting, hand-drawn art style, which whisks you away into a world brimming with charm and mystery. Creative challenges immerse you deeply in the storyline, while the game’s quirky humour ensures an enjoyable and light-hearted experience. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of a charming soundtrack as you create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere within the forest. Bear and Breakfast is an invitation to experience a truly heartwarming and enchanting adventure.
New Pokemon Snap 3.75
Ratings (Out of 5)
Buy the game on Nintendo Store
Impression
The captivating world of New Pokemon Snap (released 2021) pays homage to the classic 1999 game on the Nintendo N64 by bringing its enchanting gameplay to the modern era. As a solo player (though online options are available), you’ll step into the shoes of a photographer and researcher alongside Professor Mirror, embarking on an exhilarating adventure to unravel the secrets of the Illumina phenomenon. Armed with your trusty camera, you’ll journey in the NEO-ONE through lush beaches, dense jungles, and arid deserts, photographing Pokémon in their natural habitats as they go about their daily routines, whether it’s playing, feasting, or patrolling. With over 200 Pokémon from various generations to encounter, no two expeditions are the same, particularly as you witness their behaviours change from day to night.
This visually striking game captivates with its vibrant, detailed presentation, invoking nostalgia for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Its non-competitive and unique gameplay fosters a genuine connection with Pokémon, allowing you to interact with them in new and exciting ways. Beyond the thrill of the wild encounters, you’ll earn high scores based on the quality of your photographs, challenging yourself to capture Pokémon in various poses and behaviours. As you progress, you can enhance your camera’s capabilities, unlock useful tools, and even engage with a global community of photographers, sharing and appreciating each other’s captures. With its engaging gameplay, good replay value, and the sheer joy of encountering Pokémon in their natural habitats, this game is a delightful adventure for Pokémon enthusiasts of all ages.