Ever since Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched on the Nintendo Switch, you may have been glued to the console, decorating their islands and interacting with their favorite villagers. The game can be super relaxing and is a ton of fun just to kick back and play, but after months of working on your island, you may be looking for something else to play.

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The Nintendo Switch has a massive variety of different games. From puzzle platformers to horror games, there's something for just about everyone on this console. But big fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons will likely be looking for something that has a similar relaxing feeling.

Updated on February 13, 2025 by Jerel Levy: With the launch of Hello Kitty Island Adventure, there was nothing to do but update this list and include one of the most adorable pop icon characters in pop media. Whether you're taking a break from Animal Crossing or want something to play while you wait to do your dailies for the next day, this list has enough relaxing switch games to ensure you'll find something you enjoy.

28 Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Enjoy Your Stay With These Adorable Iconic Characters

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Adventure Life Simulation Powered by Expand Collapse

Finally available on the Nintendo Switch, Hello Kitty Island Adventure is the quintessential relaxing, cozy game for Animal Crossing lovers. Fans of the genre will recognize all of the usual cozy tropes that'll keep you coming back for more, but uniquely, you get to create your own character to join in on the everyday cozy fun.

Dropped onto Friendship Island, it's up to you to restore the island's natural beauty while also taking the time to help out the other famous islanders. Go fishing, play dress up, and get ready for a host of activities, from gift-giving to cabin decorating. Get lost in this cozy game with Hello Kitty and all of her friends.

27 Minecraft

Live In Your World Or Create A New World

Minecraft

Created by Markus Persson Video Game(s) Minecraft, Minecraft Dungeons, Minecraft Legends, Minecraft Caves and Cliffs Expand Collapse

If you like laid back situations but can also get bored easily, you'll need a distraction for your imagination. Minecraft can be what you make of it, and if you enjoy relaxing, the repetitive nature of resource collecting can be just what you need. Sitting back and building a house or even mining for some relaxing, repetitive, easy-to-do task, you'll enjoy the time and ease Minecraft can give to you on the Switch.

26 Paleo Pines

Adorable Dinosaurs Bring Slice Of Life Goostatic.aayyy.com/topic/dn/ess

Paleo Pines

Indie RPG Simulation Released September 25, 2023 Publisher(s) Maximum Entertainment Powered by Expand Collapse

Some of the best cozy games are those that give you sweet slice-of-life gameplay. These allow you to relax with familiar activities, things you may or may not do in real life. Dinosaur ranching is as adorable as it sounds, and you'll get a unique cozy experience. There are several dinosaurs to collect, coming in different colors; all made adorably charming in Paleo Pines.

Whether you're a completionist or playing casually, there's enough to do to always keep you engaged. When logging in for a few hours to complete daily tasks and befriend NPCs, you'll easily sink into the laid-back and adorably cozy nature of Paleo Pines.

25 Calico

Manage A Cat Cafe

Calico

Released

2020-12-15

Developer

Peachy Keen Games

Publisher

Whitehorn Digital

Calico

Life Simulation Powered by Expand Collapse

Who doesn't love playing with kittens? Calico is a life simulator where you're put in a fantasy world and tasked with running a cat cafe. You can furnish it, bake desserts, and fill the place with adorable kittens.

Outside the cafe, you can explore the nearby forest, befriend wild animals, and invite them to stay with you. Animals will let you ride them after you've introduced yourself, giving you a speedy way to adventure throughout the world. You may even come across a giant cat if you're lucky.

24 Donut County

Cause Cartoonish Mischief

Donut County

Released

2018-07-31

Developer

Ben Esposito, Angel Matrix

Publisher

Annapruna Interactive, Iam8bit

Donut County is an excellent choice if you need a good laugh. It's a puzzle game that has you controlling a hole in the ground to cause as much mischief as possible. Each stage requires you to swallow every object on the screen. The more you devour, the bigger the hole will get.

The game features light puzzle-solving since you'll need to find a way around obstacles and make certain objects reachable. Everything is presented in a light-hearted, comedic manner, with plenty of cute animal characters and humor to keep you smiling while you cause trouble.

23 Disney Dreamlight Valley

A Magical Life Simulator

Disney Dreamlight Valley

Life Simulation Released December 5, 2023 Developer(s) Gameloft Publisher(s) Gameloft Powered by Expand Collapse

Picture Animal Crossing with Disney characters. That's Disney Dreamlight Valley in a nutshell. It's a life simulator where you move into a magical town populated by Disney and Pixar characters. You can decorate your house, befriend characters, construct buildings, go fishing, and adventure into the wilderness to gather resources.

Along your adventure, you meet characters from The Little Mermaid, Moana, Lilo & Stitch, Toy Story, and much more. New characters are added to the game all the time, providing plenty of new surprises during your playthrough.

22 Alba

A Wildlife Adventure Tells A Wholesome Story

Alba

Released

2020-12-11

Developer

Ustwo, Plug in Digital

Publisher

Ustwo, Plug In Digital

While Alba: A Wildlife Adventure appears to be a simple game, it tells a touching story about a young girl trying to save her island's nature reserve. This is an open-world game where you explore the island, rescue animals, take pictures of nature, and rally the townsfolk to help your cause.

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All of your actions are important since your actions will attract different types of animals to the village. The gorgeous cell-shaded graphics perfectly complement the game's cozy, adorable tone. This game is great if you want a wholesome, story-based adventure.

21 Coffee Talk

A Relaxing Visual Novel

Coffee Talk

Adventure Released January 31, 2020 Developer(s) Toge Productions Powered by Expand Collapse

Visual novels are often great if you want relaxing Switch games, and Coffee Talk is a prime example. The game has you run a coffee shop in a fantasy world. Mermaids, orcs, elves, and many other fantasy creatures will visit your business, and you get to hear their stories and follow their character arcs.

It's a text-heavy game, but the captivating story and engaging characters will keep you entertained. The beautiful pixel art and soothing Lofi music add to the relaxing experience, making this a great game to play while snuggling up in bed.

20 A Short Hike Lets You Explore Nature

A Short Hike

Adventure Released April 5, 2019 Powered by Expand Collapse

A Short Hike lets you experience all the neat things about hiking without any of the real-life consequences. Its characters are all cute little animals, and the art does an excellent job of making you feel like you're really there. The goal is to make it to the top of the mountain, but the game encourages you to take your time and enjoy the scenery.

You can camp, climb, fish, and even fly at your own pace, meeting other hikers you can befriend and help. Not to mention, the game's soundtrack fits its relaxing atmosphere to a tee.

19 Shape Of The World

A Stunning Walking Simulator

Shape Of The World

Released

2018-06-03

Developer

Hollow Tree Games, Seaven Studio

Publisher

Plug In Digital

Shape of the World is potentially the ultimate walking simulator. There's nothing for you to do but explore and admire the gorgeous, ever-changing landscapes unfurling as you walk. There are plants, animals, and objects for you to interact with, which make the surrounding environment change.

What you see is procedurally generated, so you can never have the same experience twice. The music contributes to the ethereal atmosphere, allowing you to lose yourself in the game for a couple of hours. Shape of the World is, by all accounts, literally made for you to relax.