We play video games for various reasons. But the most common reason that resonates with a lot of us is to get some sort of stress relief. And what better way to experience that other than feel-good games. Nintendo is known for coming up with feel-good games that have captured the hearts of millions ever since the first Mario game was released.
This list will feature 6 games that are generally thought to be a feel-good experience amongst Nintendo Switch users. You can get these Switch games on the official site or in-console store, where you can use Nintendo eShop Cards to purchase the games.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Starting off the list, we have the iconic Zelda and its latest iteration, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild. If you’ve seen the gameplay and the game environment, then you know people get on this game not to complete missions or objectives. They just get on it to try out new stuff and interact with the environment.
The game features pleasant aesthetics and an overall upgrade to how the game looks and feels, paired with upgraded combat mechanics. So play for the game, stay for the experience.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
I’m not gonna lie, I’ve spent a lot of time indoors playing this game in 2020. With the recent global pandemic, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released at a time where the world needed a bit of a reprieve from the grim realities that plague it.
The game focuses on you building up your own farm and interacting with the animal villagers while helping them with their objectives along the way. The game feels very pleasant as you interact with the cute characters around you and have the opportunity to really make your space your own as the customization aspect of the game has tremendously increased since Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
Interact with your friends on Switch and visit their islands. Share resources and memories with your loved ones.
Super Mario Odyssey
We’re talking about Nintendo here, so it would be weird not to mention any of the Mario games. Not that we’re biased, most of the Mario games were great but if we had to pick one, we’ll go with Super Mario Odyssey.
The game is absolutely adorable as you control Mario in a close to the real-world environment and traverse it with double jumps and swings. It kind of reminds me of Spiderman, but with Mario. That’s not all, you get to travel to various other levels which feature different and unique game environments, even the moon. Enjoy hours of fun jumping off skyscrapers and interacting with the game environment.
Stardew Valley
We can’t just talk about feel-good games and not include Stardew Valley. It is, after all, a legendary status game. It stems from the same vein as Animal Crossing but has a different spin to it. You inherit your grandfather’s farm, and you slowly build it up and expand into other farm-related endeavors. From growing potatoes to shearing wool off sheep, you can do it all!
The game is a very relaxed experience as you go through the seasons. You can also interact with the local NPCs which adds an extra layer of depth to the game. You can make friends with them or even start a serious romantic relationship with one of them. The game also features a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players. So you and your friends or family members can get together and start a farm!
Just Shapes & Beats
Sometimes, you want something basic. No fancy or convoluted character designs and game world. Besides, a good game is not defined by how good the graphical output is, but rather, the gameplay itself. Enter Just Shapes & Beats. Staying true to its name, the game is about you avoiding shapes and moving to the rhythm of the sick beats.
The gameplay is quite straightforward, but no one said it would be easy. The game challenges you to dive deeper into a state of flow as you find your way dodging everything the game throws at you while you simultaneously vibing with the music. Just Shapes & Beats also features co-op and split-screen modes so you can battle another player. Don’t just focus on the screen, you’ve got to feel the music.
Katamari Damacy REROLL
There’s something endearing about some of the game concepts that Nintendo has produced over the years. Yes, it’s more on the zany side of the spectrum, but no one can deny the tons of fun to be had with these games that hold a weird premise.
Katamari Damacy Reroll is the remake of the original title that features the same gameplay but of course, with upgraded aesthetics and gameplay. You start rolling a ball of various items and you start small. You roll tiny things together such as pins and dust. As your ball slowly grows in size, so does the size of things you could roll and attach to the ball.
We’re talking about apocalyptic scale here where you can roll buildings, cargo ships, and even clouds. All in all, Katamari Damacy REROLL is a delightful experience and a welcomed upgrade that can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages.
Untitled Goose Game
There’s something cathartic about being annoying. No? Well, the developers of Untitled Goose Game (and myself) find it so. You control a goose. Not just any goose. You play the world’s most annoying goose. You go around the interactive environment and you just basically annoy the NPCs.
Grab the gardener’s tools. Set traps for him using household items. Steal items from the local sundry shop. The games are basically a slapstick stealth-based sandbox game that doesn’t really have real solid objectives. Only for you to experiment with new ways to annoy the poor inhabitants.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, each of us gets to decide what feels good when it comes to gaming. It could be a hardcore title as well. But we hope these games would be an interesting addition to your library when you’re considering having fun with your closed ones. Do let us know of any other feel-good games that you play to relax after a hard day’s work in the comments below!