The top games for unwinding in 2024
Since life may be difficult at times, we've put together this list of the top calming games to support you. There's something to relax with here, whether you're searching for a lighthearted life sim, a puzzle game, or a relaxed business management game.
Check out our listings of the topcozy games,farm games, andlife sims if you're in the mood for some more laid-back vibes. You may also check out our list of the topSwitch RPGs to change things up a little.
The top calming games for Switch and mobile devices are as follows:
Mushroom Legend - mobile
In the surprisingly therapeutic idle mobile role-playing game Legend of Mushroom, you assume control of a little mushroom with aspirations to become a person. Just arm your tiny fungus buddy with the finest tools and animals you own, activate auto-battle, and let the little fellas get to work.
In addition, you may participate in time-limited tournaments, dig for materials, and fight other players in brief arena bouts. It's straightforward, charming, and surprisingly addictive, and we often find ourselves laughing at the goofy little weapons and armour pieces we uncover—after all, who wouldn't want a little mushroom buddy with flower-shaped spectacles and a slipper for a weapon?
Check out ourLegend of Mushroom tier list to get you going. Then use our Legend of Mushroom codes guide to pick up some prizes.
Play Legend of Mushroom for free.A Brief Ascent - Flip
A quick walk is a delightful little excursion. As the name implies, it's only a little more than an hour of discovering a beautiful tiny island, making friends, and trying to reach the summit of the mountain. The game's general ambiance, along with the crunchy pixels of the graphic style and the spontaneous speech, makes for a really relaxing experience. One of my favourite Switch games is this one.
Stardew Valley: Mobile and Switch
Stardew Valley refined and then expanded the agricultural simulator in every aspect. The game's main objective is to develop a little rural area in a far-off town. However, as time passes, you get to know the different locals, explore perilous subterranean tunnels, and go fishing (for a tip on how to tackle the Stardew Vallew fish), which is a popular pastime.
It is a timeless game that is perfect for unwinding and may keep you engrossed for many hours. If you're ready for the developer's next game, Witchbrook, see our release date guide if you've already had enough Stardew.
Switch: Untitled Goose Game
The bird is free and about to act blatantly stupid. With its open, Debussy-esque music and humorous premise—a malevolent goose eager to play tricks on different individuals in a little British town—The Untitled Goose Game went viral. It's interesting to note that because the creator had never been to the UK, they constructed the town using Google Maps. As a consequence, there are charming brick lakes, taverns, and phone boxes scattered around, all of which are perfect for practical jokes.
Switch and mobile in
Animal Crossing
Playing games can never be more soothing than Animal Crossing. It's all about lounging, getting some tasks done, and taking in the scenery. Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the Switch version provides an extensive island-building experience, complete with a plethora of options to personalise your oceanside sanctuary, including furniture and clothing to make and people to make friends with. You get a streamlined version on mobile with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, which is all about setting up a campground. They are both mostly about hanging around, which is very fun.
Mobile Sunrise Village
It's time for you to go to Sunrise Village, where you can forget about the hassles of everyday life and immerse yourself in a tranquil setting where your only responsibilities are growing your farm and acquiring materials to complete orders. Fans of Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing games will recognise the straightforward process of collecting, constructing, and growing.
The fact that you can play this game for free is what makes it so soothing. All you have to do is download the game and travel to the farm for some fun—you don't even need to try to explain the expenses to yourself. It might easily turn into a regular habit to relieve tension.
Switch to Mineko's Night Market ()Take on the role of a little girl named Mineko who goes to a secluded island with her dad in Mineko's Night Market, a very laid-back social simulation game.Make a tonne of friends along the journey as you solve the island's secrets, assist the Sun God Nikko and the cat population in returning to their home. Along the road, you may also enjoy a tonne of relaxing and enjoyable activities like fishing, making crafts to sell at the market, gathering materials for foraging, giving presents, and even caressing all the cats you've aided along the route.This very sweet and easy activity celebrates Japanese culture in a really charming manner. It is also quite soothing. To learn more, read our comprehensive Minekeo's Night Market review!
Mobile Alto's Adventure
When it comes to relaxation, nothing compares to snowboarding down a frozen mountain. That's what Alto's Adventure is about; you repeat randomly generated runs to fulfil a series of tasks. The mountain changes from barren, chilly, and bustling woodlands to little settlements and enormous jumps over chasms. As Alto's Adventure: The Spirit of the Mountain review attests, we believe it's fantastic.Switch
for Captain Toad: Treasure TrackerEven though Toad has one of the most annoying voices in video games, you may overlook it because of how entertaining the magical puzzle boxes he discovers are. Each self-contained puzzle has a plethora of machinery, pulleys, and absurd small tasks, all beautifully and whimsically rendered. Treasure Tracker: Captain Toad Though it started on the Wii U, this game's laid-back gameplay makes it one of the more enjoyable ones on the Switch for relaxation.Opening - Flip
Relocating isn't really enjoyable, is it? However, much as Animal Crossing transforms mundane tasks into enjoyable gaming experiences, Unpacking transforms moving into a peaceful, decluttering getaway experience. But it's more than simply opening boxes—it's also about piecing together a life using actual, tangible fragments of a person's existence and uncovering a barely there tale. It's an experience that surpasses the combination of its elements.
Breath of the Wild - The Legend of Zelda – Switch
The primary Zelda theme once softly emerged from the stillness of nature as I rode over a broad, windswept plain in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The sound of it made the hairs on my arms stand on edge. This stillness is what makes BotW magical.The freedom to turn off, investigate, create, and try new things without the game getting in the way. Not even the music is directing you towards the proper course of events. The whole experience of the game revolves on whatever experience you choose. It's among the most calming games available and my all-time favourite.To see how the sequel stacks up, read our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review. For more information, see our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom koroks, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom shrines, and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom armor guides.
Mobile
Idle Bank Tycoon: Money EmpireWith Idle Bank Tycoon: Money Empire, kick back, unwind, and watch the money come in. Although the actual banking industry may be quite demanding, this little gem enables you to create your own banking empire, improve locations, attract customers, and watch as you turn into a virtual millionaire. You may also employ personnel, safes, and guards to ensure that business operations continue even after you put down your phone. Profits solely, no worry at all—that's what we call stonks.Switch: The Golf Story
The worst sport is golf. Or, at least, none of the golfers I know are my friends. On the other hand, Golf Story fans are the coolest people I've ever met. Unbelievably, it's a golf game with dialogue akin to a Seinfeld episode and a tonne of oddball characters to interact with. It's amusing, humorous, and most of all, soothing. See our guide to golf games for additional relaxing time on the green.
Apple Arcade's Hello Kitty Island Adventure
In the endearing hybrid game Hello Kitty Island Adventure, you take control of a beautiful tropical island populated by a plethora of lovely Sanrio characters. It's a beautifully healthy and quaint little treasure, perfect for exploring caverns, making things, baking some delectable cookies, or solving the secrets that lie all around you.As you can guess, the most relaxing thing you can do is hang out with Kuromi, My Melody, and your friends on a tropical island. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about microtransactions dampening your fun since it's only available on Apple Arcade. For further information, see our Hello Kitty Island Adventure review.