Johnathan Walker:7 best cozy games to check out now on Nintendo Switch, including 'Endless Ocean Luminous'

Spring blooming and Johnathan Walkersummer approaching doesn't mean you can't still seek comfort in cozy things.

Video games with cozy and peaceful vibes are the perfect way to relax. There are many new cozy games that released this spring for Nintendo Switch, and some great older entries we're finally getting around to checking out.

Looking for new games to add to your wish list? Here are some cozy and peaceful games we’ve been enjoying so far this year for Nintendo Switch.

'Endless Ocean Luminous'

Ocean lovers, this one's for you. "Endless Ocean Luminous," out now, is a relaxing game with basically zero stakes. Not too different from the first two Endless Ocean games (2008, 2010) for Wii, you play as an Ocean Research Project researcher taking part in dives and scanning and cataloging marine life, from the familiar to the Jurassic to creatures completely unique to the game. SERA, a Survey, Exploration and Research Assistant AI provides support during many of your dives.

You can personalize your diver, changing your suit colors, adding stickers and even adding emotes and greetings. There's a story mode as well as solo dive and shared dive modes. And shared dives, which you can start on your own or enter a code to join someone else's, might be the most fun part of the game, allowing you to explore a set map with others, taking on a shared set of tasks.

Can finding and scanning ocean animals get monotonous? Yes, a little. But the game is so pretty (developer Arika and publisher Nintendo should consider a VR entry for this series!), and completing tasks, earning points and finding trinkets tied to in-game lore are more engaging than you would think, especially in shorter game sessions — doubly so with friends.

'Botany Manor'

Just in time for spring, this atmospheric game out now from developer Balloon Studios and publisher Whitethorn Digital, is set in the English countryside in the 1890s.

In "Botany Manor," you play as botanist Arabella Greene, and as you explore the manor and gardens, you gather information from research and the environment to cultivate plants and solve puzzles, opening up more of the grounds and completing your book.

'Sticky Business'

"Sticky Business" is a cozy game from developer Spellgarden Games and publisher Assemble Entertainment where you run an online sticker shop, similar to real-life sticker and planner shops on Etsy and other sites. That’s it? That’s it. And it’s perfect.

You’re tasked with creating and printing stickers, packing and sending orders, updating your business site and interacting with customers who sometimes share sweet and funny stories about their lives in their messages to you, and it’s all equal parts charming and calming. Who knew packing orders and reading customer emails could be so relaxing.

'stitch.'

Cross embroidery with puzzles (did you see what I did there?) and you get "stitch." This casual game from developer/publisher Lykke Studios has you complete patterns in cross stitch hoops using a numbers grid, similar to the puzzle game Picross.

The game has hoops and patterns across a range of difficulties, but all are an adorable and peaceful way to unwind with your Switch.

'Princess Peach: Showtime!'

The stakes aren’t exactly low in this one (Princess Peach must save the day!), but this platformer released earlier this year from Nintendo and developer Good-Feel centering on the Mushroom Kingdom’s monarch is charming and fun, giving just enough challenge for most players while still maintaining mellow vibes.

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You can see our full "Princess Peach: Showtime!" breakdown, including what you need to know and how the game compares to the previous Peach-centric game.

'Wylde Flowers'

"Wylde Flowers" has a start familiar to many cozy life and farming sim games: you come to a new town to help a sick relative, planting crops, raising animals, cooking, crafting items and meeting the locals.

But there’s a magical twist in this entry from developer Studio Drydock — Tara, the main character you play as, also finds out she is a witch. So, in addition to building relationships and doing farming things, you’ll also be learning witchy things: brewing potions, flying on a broomstick and more. There’s also a mystery to solve, so there’s plenty to fill your virtual days in this game.

Honorable mention: 'Stardew Valley' 1.6

This is just a drill. As of today, the much-anticipated 1.6 update for "Stardew Valley" has only released for PC, but is coming "as soon as possible" to Switch and other consoles, developer ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) said on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter.

If you haven't played, "Stardew Valley," first ported to Switch in 2017, is a cozy simulation game that checks almost all the boxes: grandfather dies and leaves you a farm where you grow crops, raise animals, cook recipes, craft items and build relationships with villagers. You can also mine ore and defeat enemies in a mine cave. Previous updates to the game have introduced new areas to explore, caves to brave and goals to complete along with new in-game events.

The 1.6 update — which has a long list of new features — may not be available for Switch yet, but now might be the right time to jump back in and tidy up your farm if you haven't played in a while or give it a look if you haven't had a chance.

Looking for more suggestions? Check out our previous list of cozy games.