Nintendo Switch: Best Games For Mindfulness

Key Takeaways

• Minecraft offers calming creativity and social connection with natural environments and multiplayer.
• Stitch. is a satisfying puzzle game with over 180 patterns to unwind and refocus.
• Layton’s Mystery Journey & Townscaper offer cozy puzzle-solving and creative building, respectively.

The Nintendo Switch is well-known for its relaxed gaming capabilities. Its capacity to be played either handheld or docked sets it apart from other consoles and allows players to experience gaming on the go as well as in the comfort of their own homes.

Sometimes, when things get a little overwhelming, the Nintendo Switch can be a really useful tool to practice some mindfulness – whether that be through the calming natural environments of adventure games or the cozy puzzle-solving minigames of RPGs. In the spirit of practicing good mental health habits, this list will highlight some of the best Nintendo Switch games to help with calming a busy mind.

10 Minecraft

Explore Natural Environments With Friends

Most gamers wouldn’t expect Minecraft to be a good source of mindfulness, but studies have shown that the creativity that comes with open-world games can be greatly beneficial for mental health support.

Not only that, the focus on natural environments and the multiplayer capability can help players relax and feel more socially connected. There are countless mindful gaming possibilities throughout Minecraft. Players can build calming spaces in Creative mode or release some pent-up anger on Zombies and Skeletons in Survival – Minecraft gives players the freedom to choose.

9 Stitch.

Stitch Your Own Masterpiece

Stitch. is a calming puzzle game where players aim to fill embroidery patterns without leaving any gaps. The satisfying puzzle-solving is the perfect outlet for taking a break and refocusing an overactive mind.

With over 180 patterns to choose from, Stitch. is a fun and creative outlet to wind down with. Plus, once players have completed all the patterns, they can then go back and recolor them however they wish! There are also daily puzzles that can foster a good mental health routine if players wish to set aside some time per day to complete them.

8 Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle And The Millionaire’s Conspiracy

Unwind The Mind With Cozy Puzzle Solving

Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy is the 7th installment in the Professor Layton game series. With unique characters, a beautiful art style, and challenging puzzles, this game creates a great atmosphere while taking players’ minds away from the pressures of the real world. The game’s music is one of its highlights with its strong thematic and incidental quirkiness.

Doing puzzles is a great positive mental health habit that trains creativity, memory, and engagement and can create a satisfying feeling of accomplishment for players once solved.

7 Townscaper

Switch Off And Get Creative

Townscaper has a fantastic soundscape and hugely satisfying game mechanics that create the ultimate relaxing gaming experience. Players get to build their own town from nothing – changing buildings’ shapes, sizes, and colors however they see fit.

There are no targets or goals throughout Townscaper, making it a totally stress-free and pressure-free game that can be enjoyed wherever and whenever without the need for an internet connection. The simplicity of the game means it can be enjoyed by players of any age or gaming capability – making it a perfect entry onto this list of mindful games.

6 Unpacking

Calming Environmental Storytelling

Unpacking is a mastery of environmental storytelling. In the game, players follow a person moving from place to place throughout their life. From their childhood bedroom to their college dorm to their forever home with their child – players are encouraged to help through each stage of life.

The ease of the game makes it a fantastic entry for mindful games. No stress is involved, so players can enjoy the wonderful color scheme and simple yet effective storytelling without anxiety. Unpacking turns what would be a hugely daunting task into a calming organizational exercise in mindfulness.

5 ABZU

Beautiful And Peaceful Seascapes

Follow a diver on a mythological journey into the ocean. Alone, ABZU‘s graphics and detailed seascapes are enough to firm its calming effect on players. But the game offers so much more than that – its beautiful swimming mechanics with seamless, graceful controls are so calming, and the fast-paced progression means there is always a new wonder to witness throughout the game.

It is not hard to get immersed in the world of ABZU. With the vast variety of creatures, ruins, and aquatic plants to discover, there is always something beautiful to behold around every wave.

4 Disney Dreamlight Valley

Equal Parts Nostalgic And Fun

As for people across the world, Disney was a huge part of growing up. In Disney Dreamlight Valley, players can experience great nostalgia and meet all the wonderful characters that shaped their childhoods.

The game’s storyline is not too over-complicated, and the quests are always fun and engaging to play, regardless of a player’s age. Feel all the relaxation of a farming sim with the comfort of familiar characters in this beautiful RPG iteration. Even if players don’t have the nostalgia of Disney, this game is still accessible and charming nonetheless.

3 Coffee Talk

Explore Fresh Perspectives

The diverse array of characters in Coffee Talk is what sets it aside from other entries on this list, as players can empathize and engage with characters from all backgrounds. Meet Orcs, Elves, Humans, and even Cat-people in this wonderful narrative-driven adventure game!

With some mature themes and discussions of real-world issues, Coffee Talk can be a wonderful exercise in perspective. Develop a fondness (or aversion) for the characters that frequent the coffee shop while discovering their lives, all while serving warm drinks to suit their moods.

2 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Decorate A Paradise Island And Invite Friends To Explore It

There’s no wonder Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the most popular games on the Nintendo Switch. With opportunities to visit other players’ islands, this game allows people to form social connections across the globe!

The soundtrack is greatly calming, and the daily tasks can help players form routines of digging for fossils, checking trees for Bells, and greeting their villagers. Sometimes, all that is needed is that short human interaction while exchanging turnips in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to turn a bad day into a good one.

1 Spiritfarer

Appreciate The Beauty Of Life

Spiritfarer has arguably one of the most impactful stories in gaming history. It allows players to board a ship to the afterlife as Stella, accompanied by her cat Daffodil, and take spirits to their final resting places. The stunning visuals and thoughtfully designed spirit animal characters elevate the game beyond its narrative, creating an awe-inspiring visual experience, especially during the Meteor Shower Events when collecting Comet Rocks.

With cozy management mechanics and a heartfelt story centered on acceptance, love, and kindness, Spiritfarer offers a relaxing gameplay experience that encourages emotional mindfulness for players.