8 Classic Cozy Games on Nintendo Switch That Still Hit
There will always be games that make us feel nostalgic. These are those games for me.
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Looking for even more games? I’ve put together my complete guide to 100+ cozy switch games.
Recently I’ve been in full hibernation mode.
I want someone else to go to work for me and pay the bills. I didn’t choose the retail life, it chose me k. But unless money has started to grow on trees (I’ve not seen it personally), then I guess I have to go.
Funnily enough, I like to joke that I’m always late for my house. But actually I kinda am. Because as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to realize that peace costs nothing.
So I’ve been feeling a tad nostalgic and reaching for games that I’ve played time and time again. These nostalgic cozy games always bring me peace. They take me back to times when I first got my console. These games are from 2020, and before, but still available to play on a standard Switch (yes, even the Switch lite) at time of writing this.
These are the games I reach for whenever life feels a bit chaotic.
My Top 8 Classic Cozy Games on Switch
1
Cities: Skylines
Released on Nintendo Switch – 14/09/2018
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. — Nintendo
I’ve played Cities: Skylines on Xbox and Switch and although it is best played on Steam because of the extra add-on packs, I’ve never played it on there. I tend to hop into a fresh new sandbox with infinite money each time I play. I keep progression on, but I do like the freedom of building anything.
2
GRIS
Released on Nintendo Switch & Amazon – 13/12/2018
Gris is the unforgettable story of a young woman navigating grief. As you progress through the levels you begin to reveal new paths to explore using her newly acquired abilities. It’s a work of art that will move you to your core. — Nintendo
Gris is an atmospheric puzzle platformer and when I first played it I was skeptical. Having mostly played management and life sims I didn’t expect to like something so short. But I found the story incredibly relatable having lost my grandparents and it helped me understand my own grief better.
3
Paper Mario: The Origami King
Released on Nintendo Switch & Amazon – 17/07/2020
Paper Mario: The Origami King is a cute and charming adventure. The devious King Olly has transformed Princess Peach into origami, uprooted her castle and sealed it shut with magical paper streamers. Mario needs to team up with Olivia, a origami princess, to stop the kingdom being folded into chaos. — Nintendo
This happened to be my first experience of a Paper Mario game. I even bought the physical game which came with fridge magnets as a pre-order special (I still have them!). I loved everything about this game except the ring battles because they pulled me out of the world. I preferred exploring the levels over battles.
4
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Released on Nintendo Switch & Amazon – 26/07/2019
Shape the future of a continent on the verge of war in Fire Emblem: Three Houses for Nintendo Switch. Lead the students of one of three prestigious houses through their academic lives and in tactical, turn-based battles filled with new, strategic twists to overcome. — Nintendo
Okay, hear me out. I know Fire Emblem isn’t cozy per-say. It’s a JRPG with turn-based battles. But something about it kept me hooked. I’d never touched a Fire Emblem game before this one, but Three Houses has plenty of cozy elements like slow days at the monastery, bonding with my students, gardening, cooking, mini-games… all very me. I don’t just play 100% wholesome games, I play what lights me up. And the students of the Officers Academy definitely earned their place on this list.
5
Coffee Talk
Released on Nintendo Switch & Amazon – 29/01/2020
A visual novel set in 2020 fantasy Seattle. Coffee Talk is a game about listening to people’s problems and helping them by serving up a warm drink out of the ingredients you have in stock. It is a game that depicts lives as humanly as possible, while having a cast that is more than just humans. — Nintendo
Coffee Talk became my obsession! It was the first ever visual novel I played and I had my reservations for sure. I think having been a barista in the past I was drawn to this game because of the latte art. But, if I’m honest, that ended up being only a small part of why I loved this game so much. I just wanted to know what happened to Freya.
6
Spiritfarer
Released on Nintendo Switch & Amazon – 18/08/2020
In Spiritfarer you play Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased. Build a boat to explore the world, then befriend and care for spirits before finally releasing them into the afterlife. Farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, and craft your way across mystical seas. — Nintendo
Spiritfarer teaches you how to say goodbye to your loved ones. It’s beautiful, poetic and heartbreaking all at the same time. The characters felt so real and full of life that it was hard for me to let any of them go. I gush about this game to anyone who’s never played it but loves platformer games.
7
A Short Hike
Released on Nintendo Switch – 18/08/2020
Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit. Talk to the other hikers to discover the secrets of the mountain, gain feathers to fly for longer and enjoy a short stroll through nature. — Nintendo
A Short Hike is an open world cozy exploration sim. As an avid hiker myself I appreciated the autumnal colors, nature sounds and passing conversations. When I can’t get out and about I often pick this game back up to help me feel at home in nature.
8
ABZÛ
Released on Nintendo Switch – 29/11/2018
From the artistic mind behind Journey and Flower, ABZÛ is a beautiful underwater adventure that evokes the dream of diving. Immerse yourself in a vibrant ocean world full of mystery and bursting with colour and life. Perform fluid acrobatics as the Diver, using graceful swimming controls. — Nintendo
ABZÛ is a peaceful diving game with one or two areas that felt a bit intense, but this added to the games overall atmosphere. I spent more time meditating in-game while I watched the fishies swimming around my character than I probably did exploring.
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As an INFP, Wendy is always late for her house. Her wardrobe is stuffed with snuggly jim-jams, and her hot water bottle is her best friend. Wendy enjoys playing a little bit of everything, but she'll always prefer to unwind with simulation and management games.
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Just for the record, the title image is Wytchwood, which isn’t mentioned anywhere in the article.
Thank you for your comment. I’ve updated the article now to include the game in the photo 🙂
Thank you so much for the article.. I have been playing strong of seasons for awhile and wanted another cozy game.. Overwhelmed with the amazing options out there.. What would be the top 3 shortlisted games?
Gaming is such a personal pursuit it would be impossible to narrow down the TOP 3 games in any genre. For me personally, I’d say my Top 3 (to play right now) are Spiritfarer, GRIS, and Journey. However, my Top 3 Games of all time would be very different. What would you say yours are?