The 24 Best Cozy Nintendo Switch Games (in 2023)

There’s no better way to relax, recharge and escape this weekend than with a cozy switch game and your fluffiest throw.

Hey there, fellow cozy gamer!

So, guess what? I’m all about my Nintendo Switch collection. Seriously, I don’t know what I would even do without my consoles at this point.

I’ve got the Switch Lite, the Standard, and yes, the OLED. Overkill? Maybe, but hey, 2 of them were gifts! I think my fam finally gets how much this cozy gaming thing means to me.

And let’s be honest, there’s nothing like crashing on the sofa at the end of a day, tuning out the outside world and playing my fave Switch game. It’s basically my lifeline at this point.

How about you? Do you have a go-to game for those much-needed cozy gaming sessions? 🎮

The Nintendo eShop is like a never-ending treasure trove—new games are popping up every single day! So you’ve got tons of options to find that perfect game to kick back and relax with.

So put the kettle on boil because I’ve found some of the best cozy switch games for you to whittle away a few hours this evening. 👌

The BEST Cozy Games on Nintendo Switch This Year!

1. Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!

Don’t be deceived, this game looks cute but it’ll test your metal. Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! is a match-three puzzle game where you shoot puzzles from the bottom of the screen to try to clear the bubbles across a series of increasingly challenging and fun stages.

There’s a story mode, versus mode, and a special Puzzle Bobble vs. Space Invaders Mode.

LIKE CO-OP GAMES? Here are some more COZY COUCH CO-OP’S for you.

2. Best Friend Forever

Put a fork in me, I’m done. I didn’t think this was possible but Best Friend Forever is the world’s first simulation game to combine pet care and dating.

Train, pat, and play with your very own dog to form a bond that will last the ages. With your four-legged companion by your side, meet, woo and cherish the many cuties of Rainbow Bay’s thriving singles scene.

3. Disney Dreamlight Valley

It’s nearly been a full year since Disney Dreamlight Valley released but I’m still utterly obsessed with it. I’ve designed quite a few cozy spaces now on my island.

Befriend the dozens of memorable characters from Disney and Pixar as you help them gain back their memories after the forgetting. With a lot of crafting this adorable life-sim game will become your home away from home.

Build a new life for yourself and your new friends while you enjoy the rich story releases.

4. Strange Horticulture

One for the little witches out there. Strange Horticulture is an occult puzzle game for people who’d rather play with fictional plants than real ones… okay, maybe that’s just me!

You play as the proprietor of a local plant store and it’s your job to identify new plants and serve your customers exactly what they need to aid their ailments.

Though I’ll be honest, as much as I enjoyed this game I found the controls to be unintuitive on Switch and I did repurchase this for Steam.

When you get to know me you’ll see that I’m a little bit of a cozy witch myself and love me some dark mysteries.

5. GRIS

Where do I even begin with this masterpiece? The watercolor art in this game is so stunning, I seriously want it framed on my walls.

So, you play as Gris, this young woman navigating through grief, and guys, it’s done so beautifully.

You’re not just playing a game; you’re exploring a literal work of art as Gris has to find her way back to herself as color seeps back into her world.

And don’t worry, the gameplay is super chill. Think easy-breezy puzzles and platforming, and if you’re up for it, some skill-based challenges—no stress, no danger, and definitely no combat. You have to check out my review!🎨

LIKE PLATFORM GAMES? Here are more COZY PLATFORMERS on Switch!

6. Hindsight

Let me tell you, this game had me reevaluating every relationship in my life.

Hindsight is the melancholic story of Mary, a young woman who must sort through her late mother’s home. I don’t think I’ve ever played a game that touches on the relationship between mother and daughter like this before.

You have to relive memories and the heavy emotions that resurface with each old object Mary finds.

Hindsight is a narrative exploration game spanning the entirety of a woman’s life. It’s deep, it’s emotional, it’ll tear you apart. Bring the tissues.

7. Coffee Talk

I’ll never stop raving about this game! Coffee Talk is a visual novel set in Seattle.

This is no ordinary coffee shop. This world is one of fantasy, where vampires and werewolves need their evening coffee fix.

Your most regular customer though is Freya. Freya is a passionate writer for the local paper who gets her inspiration from your curious customers. She’s charming but totally mischievous, and that’s why I love her.

I had the game set to autoplay after a time so it felt more like watching a movie, that is until I had a drink to make. It’s not often that I’d rather let a story continue than initiate gameplay, but I found myself creating less and less latte art as the game progressed.

If you want some serious cozy vibes and love a rich story then check it out!

FINISHED COFFEE TALK? Play the second game Hibiscus and Butterfly!

8. ABZU

ABZU is an atmospheric underwater adventure in the heart of the ocean.

You are a lone diver on a journey of discovery – swim with the whales and interact with the world through sonic pings.

Enjoy the melancholic score and watch your troubles swim away as you relax in this stress-free environment.

9. WYTCHWOOD

Wytchwood is a crafting RPG with a to-do list as long as your arm. If you like ticking boxes, collecting and advancing at your own pace you’ll love this atmospheric fantasy.

As the old witch, you’re tasked to collect souls for a demon goat. You’ll collect magical ingredients, brew spells, and meet curious characters.

This isn’t a walk in the park (excuse the pun) as you’ll discover that you’ll need to pay close attention to your Grimoire and exactly what ingredients you need to collect.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game. And often let out a chuckle at the dark jokes. 

10. A SHORT HIKE

A Short Hike is an open-world exploration with a simple story – walk to the top of the mountain.

Along the way, you learn skills and acquire the resources you need to get you there.

A Short Hike is a story about conquering the trials of nature with an act as simple and basic as walking. In a way, it’s a love letter to getting outside, putting down your phone, and looking up.

11. WIND PEAKS

One for fans of Where’s Wally? Wind Peaks is a point-and-click exploration game. 

In Wind Peaks, you help the scouts find all the missing objects using your map. This game will feel like a mini nostalgic adventure as it’s only 1.5hrs long.

A short game with lots of charm. 

12. ARISE: A SIMPLE STORY

A touching story of joy and sorrow with not-so-simple gameplay.

Arise: A Simple Story is a narrative-driven platformer about losing the love of your life. Relive pivitol moments by turning back the hands of time over 10 chapters.

Complete side quests to collect memories, pause time to enjoy the scenery, and be prepared to get your timing right.

13. ENDLING

A strikingly heartfelt survival story with graphics that make you forget you’re playing a game.

As the last mother fox on Earth, your cubs need all your care to survive in a dystopian world where the overexploitation of natural resources has endangered global wildlife.

You have to help your cubs, teach them and save them. Never forget that extinction is forever.

14. CALICO

Calico is a relaxing, stress-free community sim where you and your magical female neighbors help restock your cat cafe.

Fill it will tasty food, stylish furniture, and cuddly cats!

You’ll fulfill the needs of the town folk while being followed by your animal posse – carry a polar bear on your head, ride a bundle of floof, or tell a crow to go to your cafe.

The possibilities for a surreal fun time are endless!

Released in December 2020, Calico is a weird and whimsical game that makes for a perfect cozy night in.

15. UNPACKING

Unpacking is a Casual, Zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home.

Over the course of eight house moves, you experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.

It’s a casual puzzle game that lends itself better played on PC than console but as it’s free on Game Pass I do recommend giving it a play.

16. HAVEN PARK

Haven Park is a game about exploring a tiny island.

You play as Flint, a young yellow bird who’s tasked with restoring his Grandma’s park. In her old age, she has been unable to keep the park running and she needs you to craft materials to build and mend her once-bustling business.

If you’re a casual gamer looking for a short game you’re going to delight in playing Haven Park.

17. SOUTH OF THE CIRCLE

A love story between colleagues Peter and Clara, set against the backdrop of the Cold War.

South of the Circle takes place in the Antarctic and UK during the 60s. A narrative adventure game about memory, survival, and the consequences of not dealing with the past.

This is a minimalistic game, which focuses primarily on the story. You can finish this in 3-4 hours but the story will linger with you much longer.

So forget about picking up a book, instead pick up South of the Circle tonight.

18. DEGREES OF SEPERATION

Degrees of Separation is a casual puzzle platformer for couples who are looking for a cozy game to play after It Takes Two. 

Play in couch co-op or online as Ember and Rime, as you solve puzzles to find a way to break the divide between them.

This is a fun cozy night for couples, even if you’re not a skilled gamer. The puzzles require some consideration as you use the elements of heat and cold to get you through.

19. SPIRITFARER

Spiritfarer is my favorite game in recent years. It was released during the summer of 2020 and since then has gained huge popularity for its characters and emotional storytelling.

You play as Stella, the new Spiritfarer.

Along with your companion Daffodil the cat you’ll sail to undiscovered islands freeing stuck spirits and gathering materials to craft aboard your boat.

You’ll learn about your connection to these spirits and why they are so important to you as the story progresses. 

The hardest part of the game is having to say goodbye to them as you guide them to the afterlife.

20. NIGHT IN THE WOODS

Night In The Woods is an adventure platformer with a rich story, characters and exploration.

Mae has returned to her small town after dropping out of college. After seeking out her old friends she lives day in and night out getting into trouble around exploring Possum Springs and avoiding her reality. 

As a kid who dropped out of college twice this story hit home hard.

If you grew up in a small town, with a small bunch of friends I highly recommend picking this up for a nostalgia trip.

21. IF FOUND

If Found… is a game about going home, coming out and erasing everything.

An interactive novel about finding connections, If Found is the melancholic story of Kasio, as told through her journal.

Set in 90’s Ireland Kasio is a trans woman who’s trying to understand where she is going by erasing where she has been. 

If you love visual novels, If Found will melt into your heart.

22. COZY GROVE

One for the Animal Crossing obsessive who needs a time-out.

Cozy Grove is a hand-drawn life-sim where you – the new spirit scout – lend a hand to the island’s cute ghosts. Collect badges for helping them, unearth secrets, listen to their stories, and complete quests. 

What’s incredibly unique about Cozy Grove is its setting – its muted color palette just begs to be filled in.

Every time you help a ghost they light up the area around them as if you’ve just brightened their tiny part of the island by being their friend.

Set in real-time, this is a game you can play for 30-60 mins a day and not feel overwhelmed by tasks.

23. CAT CAFE MANAGER

Cat Cafe Manager is a Cozy management sim waiting for your restorative touch.

Befriend the local cat population and delight your customers as you rebuild your decaying cafe into a place of whimsical wonder.

Set in the village of Caterwaul Way there are secrets to be uncovered and stray cats to adopt. Decorate your cafe while listening to the soothing sounds of mews, and ambient noises of an everyday cafe.

You’ll need to hire staff, train them and dish-up custom orders. 

LIKE RUNNING A BUSINESS? Try these MANAGEMENT SIMS on Switch next!

24. OOBLETS

Not your average farming sim.

Ooblets is an adorable open-world creature collection game – think Pokemon meets Animal Crossing!

Have dance battles with wild ooblets, grow your own friends (how cute!), and improve and customize your appearance and home. There’s so much to do and see in Oob.

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