Below you’ll find a non-exhaustive list of just a few of Team NL’s favorite games to fire up when we need to cheer. Hanging out with friends is a great way to get through sadness, so you might want to start with our picks of Best couch co-op transformation game or Best party game if you’re not a solo gamer, or perhaps check out our picks The best games to play if you can’t get out of the house.
However, if you’re swinging your own thumb, check out our picks – in no particular order – of the best games on Nintendo Switch.
Please note that some of the external links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and make a purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read ours Disclosure of FTC for more information.
Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo
Dreaming of taking off on a world tour and escaping into a colorful and frivolous world? You can always go 2D with Super Mario Bros. New U Deluxeor Producer Super Mario 2, but Mario’s newest full-fat 3D platformer takes you on a world tour that’s sure to lift your spirits. Whether you are a fan of the hustle and bustle of New Donk City or you prefer the stillness and isolation available on the surface of the moon, Super Mario Odysseyhad it all. It doesn’t get much more optimistic than this.
Or not?…
Publishing company: SEGA / Developers: Team Sonic
Arguably the ultimate confusing mashup, there’s something for everyone and colors to replace Puyo Puyo Tetris. Whether you love puyos or tetrominos, the game will spark your nostalgia for both, while making you respect the other. With plenty to enjoy for single-player or multiplayer, you really can’t go wrong with shooting through this evening.
There are also next parttoo — you can’t go wrong either.
Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo SPD
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild like a warm, relaxing cup of something. We beat the main game a long time ago, but we still fire it up as often as simply roaming around Hyrule looking for weird Korok seeds and letting the rolling hills and digital atmosphere in Healing calms our nerves. We find it great for stress relief (and we found sailing on the Great Sea in The wind awakens no less light), but Breath of the Wild’s engaging gameplay and overall stunning beauty make it perfect for lifting your spirits and overcoming sadness any other month of the year. .
Awakening Link equally lovely if you’re also after a more traditional Zelda adventure.
Publishing company: SEGA / Developers: SEGA
Another standby we dive into whenever we’re feeling down, a quick blast through the Green Hill Zone can pretty much help with recovery. Obviously, the melodious blend of music, waterfalls and dancing flowers has the power to lighten your mood, but it’s so much more. What a strange and comforting thing it is to flip through an old favorite using only muscle memory. We liken it to listening to a favorite song, or perhaps closer, playing your favorite song on an instrument; something about its mechanics soothes the soul.
Sonic Hedgehog available on almost every console you own, as well as its even better sequel, 2 . sound. You can’t go wrong with either. And if you really need a Sega patented blue sky, sound origin contains all of the above, plus Sonic 3 (& Knuckles) and Audio CDs.
Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo
Appearance Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Switch made us rethink how we gave up Wild world town when Animal Crossing: New Leaf arrived. We’re sorry we didn’t say goodbye properly to our town dwellers (Amazing, because ‘Crinkley Bottom’ has exceeded the character limit) and, alas, we do as well. So with Bell Air, our poor old New Leaf town.
However, island life made it difficult to linger in the past for so long, and New Horizons proved to be the perfect tonic to the challenging times we went through in 2020. , whichever item you get your hands on, Animal Crossing remains the game’s most heartwarming and enjoyable best.
Publishing company: Ape cares / Developers: Ape cares
More focus on agriculture than the previous entry, Star Valley is a simulation of rural life that is equally appealing if you are looking to escape the drudgery of January. After inheriting your farm there is a lot to do but like any best sim, soon all the elements will be in place and the fun of operating a smeared machine Good oil will pass. With a very pleasing 16-bit style to the picture, it’s a great way to get away from everything wherever you go when you take your Switch with you.
Publishing company: Multimedia Shin’en / Developers: Multimedia Shin’en
A lovely little mixture of atmospheric puzzles, little-key exploration and mayhem in minigames, tourists was one of the most exciting gems of 2019, arguably getting a bit lost in the other major releases later in the year. It explodes with joyful energy and surprises; very short and sweet definition. It’s a great time for tourysm.
Publishing company: Berzerk’s Workshop / Developers: Berzerk’s Workshop
This surprised us, but Just shapes and beats is an absolute pleasure. Don’t let the ‘musical bullet hell’ label put you off – it’s an accessible and fun chiptune walk with a homage to the game’s past and a contagious, positive spirit . It may have outdone you in countless releases landing on the Switch eShop, so do yourself a favor and try out the best games on Switch.
Publishing company: Playful entertainment / Developers: Playful entertainment
New super lucky story is a great port of an underrated platform, has a vastly improved camera and conveys the spirit of the golden age of 3D platforms. It’s a bit short and might not present much of a challenge for more demanding gamers, but it has an uncanny ability to make us smile.
Publishing company: Bandai Namco / Developers: Bandai Namco
Katamari Damage BACK like liquid anti-skepticism. While it also has the potential to cause some tension, the game’s fun quirky and unique personality will keep you hooked enough to make you forget your stress and troubles. The Switch version is arguably the best way to play without digging up your PS2, and with its stunning HD resolution, Prince of the Cosmos looks better than ever on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Lovely.
