18 Cozy Platformers on Switch That Deserve a Spot on Your Favourites List

The Gecko Gods is a calm, curious little adventure where you play as a tiny gecko exploring a golden-lit island scattered with ancient ruins. You can scale walls, ceilings, statues… basically, if you can see it, you can probably stick to it.

There’s no combat, no timers, no boss battles. Just you and your sticky toes on a mission to rescue your pal. Along the way you’ll poke at old contraptions, munch a few bugs, and sail between islands like some kind of chill lizard archaeologist.

Monument Valley 3 is a standalone puzzle adventure where you play as Noor, a lighthouse apprentice restoring light to a community threatened by rising tides. The game keeps the series’ signature optical illusion puzzles and minimalist touch controls but adds new mechanics like sailing between islands and revisiting shrines. Levels are more expansive, with branching paths, environmental puzzles, and evolving seasonal updates through Netflix.

While not a direct sequel, MV3 follows the tone and style of its predecessors. The themes shift from personal (like motherhood in Monument Valley 2) to communal and environmental, focusing on rebuilding and adaptation. It’s still quiet, abstract, and emotionally resonant, but with a broader world and more interactive elements. There’s no confirmed timeline, though some fans speculate it could be a prequel.

A charming bubble-popping adventure at a cozy Japanese carnival – perfect for Nintendo Switch!

Welcome to Kimono Cats, a delightful journey through vibrant festival streets inspired by old Japan! Together with your adorable cat companions, you’ll explore festive landscapes, popping bubbles, playing lively carnival mini-games, and creating your dream village.

If there were another me, observing myself from the perspective of a spectator, how would I regard another me? How would I get along with the other me? I and Me is a cozy puzzle platformer. To play the game, you control two cats simultaneously.

The two characters will perform exactly the same action. You need to manage both of them at the same time and let them co-ordinate to complete the adventure. The game has four chapters based on four seasons with a total of 92 levels.

In A Hat in Time you play as a tiny space-travelling girl with a big tophat. Her adventure is halted when all her fuel, the Time Pieces, is lost and scattered across a nearby planet. Hat Kid must now jump, fight and stitch new hats to make her way into every nook and cranny of this new world in order to restore her fuel and resume her journey. 

A classic in the cozy world. It’s silly, it’s colourful, and the levels feel like handcrafted playgrounds. There’s also something undeniably charming about jumping around in different hats with goofy characters cheering you on.

In Super Mario Odyssey Mario teams up with Cappy and takes to the air to save Princess Peach from a shotgun wedding. If you loved The Super Mario Movie you’ll love this game! Collect Power Moons to power up your airship, known as the Odyssey, and set off on an epic 3D platforming adventure.

Inspired by classic platformers and cartoons alike, The Adventure Pals sets you and your best friends (a giraffe and a rock) out to save the world and your dad from turning into hotdogs! It’s zany in the best way, and perfect if you want a laugh without the stress.

Now I’ll be honest because this one’s a bit tougher than the rest. Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain in this super-tight, hand-crafted platformer from the creators of multiplayer classic, TowerFall.

The controls are simple and accessible – simply jump, air-dash, and climb – but with layers of expressive depth to master, where every failure is a lesson. 

In Yoshi’s Crafted World, you will embark on a colourful and whimsical adventure set in a world made entirely out of arts and crafts materials. Explore levels with a unique Front Side and mysterious Flip Side as you race against Baby Bowser and Kamek on a grand treasure hunt.

Neva is a side-scrolling puzzle-platformer developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital. Released on October 15, 2024, it follows the journey of Alba, a young woman bound to a mystical wolf cub named Neva. Together, they traverse a world slowly succumbing to darkness, facing challenges that test their bond and resilience.

If you’re seeking a game that combines platforming with deep emotional storytelling and atmospheric exploration, Neva might resonate with you. While it may not fit the conventional cozy genre, its artistic direction and thematic depth offer a compelling experience for those open to a more poignant journey.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a 3D platformer that gently tosses our favourite pink puffball into a mysterious, post-apocalyptic world full of overgrown malls, crumbling theme parks, and adorable enemies who mostly look like they’ve wandered out of a plush toy aisle.

Instead of classic 2D side-scrolling, this one gives you full control in open-ish 3D spaces. You’ll be jumping between floating platforms, dodging hazards, hoovering up enemies, and unlocking new areas with copy abilities (and the glorious Mouthful Mode). It keeps that platforming spirit alive — timed jumps, puzzle-y level design, and hidden secrets — but wraps it all up in something that feels a bit more like a cosy adventure than a traditional platformer.

Perfect if you love collecting everything and seeing what odd object Kirby decides to inhale next.

In this ribbiting first-person climbing sim, each mountain is like a puzzle, and it’s your job to make your way to the top of every ridge to place radio towers for the froggy inhabitants of Valley Peaks. Overcome challenges such as crumbling rocks, perilous spikes, moving minecarts, and much more as you strive to complete your mission—all while escaping the hustle and bustle of the city!

Planet of Lana is a cinematic puzzle-platformer that invites you into a beautifully hand-painted world. You play as Lana, a young girl on a quest to rescue her sister after a mysterious alien invasion. Accompanied by her loyal, cat-like companion Mui, you navigate through lush forests, underground caves, and arid deserts, solving environmental puzzles and evading robotic threats.

For those who appreciate games like Ori and the Blind Forest, Planet of Lana provides a similar blend of emotional storytelling and atmospheric gameplay. It’s a perfect choice for cozy gaming sessions, offering a peaceful respite with its charming visuals and heartfelt narrative.

In Caravan SandWitch, embark on a journey across a Sci-Fi Provence-like world, driven by a mystery through your missing sister that unfolds with each step you take. Interact with the communities on Cigalo, help them with their tasks and meet new people along the way. Take your time to explore the world, whether in your van or on foot.

Life is simple: no combat, no death, no timer, just you, your van, and the world.

Hoa is a beautiful puzzle-platforming game that features breathtaking hand-painted art, lovely music, and a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. Experience the magic of nature and imagination as you play the main character, Hoa, on her journey through breathtaking environments back to where it all began.

Navigate with a keen eye and solve exploration-based puzzles. Relax to the organic rhythm of subtle storytelling while being intrigued by endless little wonders. Be a child – it’s easier and harder than it may seem.

Meet Buddy and Bag Boy – two tiny robots with big hearts and an even bigger mission: spreading joy wherever they go! After a mysterious explosion rains golden cogs and trash from the sky, the duo must work together to restore each village and uncover the secret behind the blast. Scrub mess, collect trash, and lend a helping hand as you explore a familiar world from a tiny perspective.

Beneath the surface lies a touching tale that deepens as you meet new bots. From UFOs and secret lovers to unlikely heroes and dancing instruments, you’ll discover a world full of quirky characters with stories worth hearing.

Ori and the Blind Forest is a single-player, 2D action‑adventure platformer. The forest of Nibel is dying. After a powerful storm sets a series of devastating events in motion, Ori must journey to find courage and confront a dark nemesis to save the forest of Nibel.

Levels unfold like interconnected puzzles, with each new power revealing shortcuts or hidden bonuses on the world map. The saving system rewards experimentation by letting you place “Soul Links” anywhere, using energy cells sparingly to control difficulty. Reviewers highlight the game as “platforming evolved”—its controls are crisp, its tone is meditative, and its visuals and music combine into a cohesive emotional journey more than a gauntlet of boss battles.