Nintendo Switch: The 10 best wholesome games for the summer
For everyone who just wants to feel good in the summer, we have selected 10 of the best wholesome games for Nintendo Switch.
Summer is here and temperatures are rising. You don’t always need intensive, hectic gaming experiences that also make you sweat. For all those who are looking for games to sit back, relax and feel good during the hot season, we have selected ten Wholesome Games in this article that offer exactly that. But first, we’ll explain what wholesome games actually are.
In short, wholesome games are feel-good games. These can be quiet, relaxing games that provide the necessary balance after a hard day. They often also create a cozy atmosphere with cute graphics and the emphasis on friendship and a harmonious community.
But Wholesome Games is not limited to that. They can certainly cover serious and dark subjects, but they do so with a positive attitude that finds beauty even in dark moments and conveys a sense that difficulties can be overcome and the world can be made a better place. You can find all these aspects of Wholesome Games in our ten tips:
1:17
Spiritfarer – Beautiful Souls-Themed Adventure is now available for Nintendo Switch
In Spiritfarer we play the ferrywoman Stella, whose task is to transport the souls of the dead to the afterlife. But before that, she has to help them finish some unfinished business so they can let go. What sounds serious and maybe even a bit scary is actually a very chilled gaming experience. That’s partly because of the cute and colorful drawing style, as well as the heartwarming stories told by the dead. Part of it is the gameplay. In addition to talking to our passengers, this consists of exploring many small islands, collecting raw materials and expanding our ship. Because until we have transported them to the afterlife, the dead want to be housed and cared for appropriately.
Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition is available from Nintendo eShop for €24.99
8:46
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – This game is the best holiday in hard times
The cute life simulation Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a great holiday game just because of its scenario. We are sent to a sunny island paradise with beautiful beaches. We’re pretty much alone here at first, but the more effort we put into designing our environment and building our little village, the more of the cute, animal islanders we’ll attract to make friends with. The sense of an idyllic community is at the heart of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This does not only affect the NPCs, because via local and online multiplayer, players can also help each other build their paradise.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons for €59.99 on Nintendo eShop
5:31
Stardew Valley – Test video for the hit farm
In Stardew Valley you leave the hectic city to move to an idyllic village and take over your grandfather’s farm there. At first, this looks very run down, but with a little effort in farming and animal husbandry, you can quickly transform it back into a magnificent farm in the midst of blooming fields. But Stardew Valley doesn’t become a wholesome game just because of the quiet work and the feeling of building something yourself. Village life also contributes a lot: we can get to know the residents better, complete tasks for them, make friends, take part in the big village festivals together and even enter into romantic relationships. By the way, there is also a dungeon in the village, but the fights take up a relatively small part of the game.
Stardew Valley for €13.99 on Nintendo eShop
1:23
A Short Hike – Award winning indie game now available on Switch
In A Short Hike we hike, climb and sail as an anthropomorphic bird through cute pixelated autumn landscapes. We have a clear goal, namely to reach the snow-capped peak of a mountain because there is mobile phone reception there. But the more interesting experiences and activities await on the way there. For example, we can chat with other hikers, find treasures or relax while fishing. We also meet interesting characters for whom we fulfill small tasks and who all have their own little stories to tell. In addition to the peaceful nature, it is above all these sometimes amusing and sometimes heartwarming encounters that make A Short Hike an ideal feel-good game.
A Short Hike for €6.99 in the Nintendo eShop
1:03
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure: Trailer shows the open world game in action
In Alba: A Wildlife Adventure we play the young Alba who wants to spend the summer with her grandparents on an idyllic Mediterranean island and observe the wildlife together with her friend. As we explore the varied open world, which, in addition to nature, also has farms, an old fort and a village with cafes, shops and a church to offer, we realize that the idyll is threatened. The garbage lying around and a planned hotel complex endanger nature. There is also a lot to repair, from fences to paths and bird feeders. That’s why we pitch in ourselves and even set up an organization that uses volunteers to ensure that the island becomes the beautiful place it should be again.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is available from Nintendo eShop for €19.99
1:59
The Touryst – Trailer sets the mood for an adventurous holiday
The Touryst is the ideal holiday replacement for anyone who has to stay at home or even work this summer. As a tourist, we travel to a whole series of different island paradises, where we enjoy the sun and engage in mini-games for all sorts of holiday activities, from surfing competitions to visiting an arcade. But we can also leave the safe area of the hotel complexes and explore the mysteries of the islands. We come across the ruins of lost cultures, solve puzzles and explore ancient mysteries in the style of Indiana Jones. So The Touryst delivers both a virtual feel-good holiday and an adventurous journey for those who like to combine relaxation and excitement.
The Touryst for €19.99 in the Nintendo eShop
2:10
Abzu – gameplay trailer for the underwater game
Abzû lets us explore the underwater world of a seemingly endless ocean in the guise of a diver. There is also one or the other encounter with giant sea creatures, but without the slightest danger, because fights or the possibility of dying do not exist in Abzû. The gameplay is limited to exploring and observing our surroundings, the visual diversity of the beautiful, brightly colored landscapes and animals provides variety. We traverse bright algal forests, swim alongside whales and dive into murky ditches. Sometimes we just settle down in one place and meditate. This makes Abzû the perfect game to completely switch off and relax for a few hours.
Discount for €19.99 in the Nintendo eShop
In Wandersong we stop the apocalypse with song.
In Wandersong we play a bard in a colourful, happy fantasy world and really want to do nothing more than delight the residents of our village with our songs. However, when a supernatural being appears and tells us that our world is running out of time and the apocalypse is imminent, we must embark on a great adventure. Because our only chance to avert doom is to learn the Earth Song and sing it flawlessly. In search of this song, we fight ghosts and other harbingers of the apocalypse haunting the inhabitants of our world with the power of our music alone. Above all, we need a feeling for rhythm, good timing and a bit of skill.
Wandering Song for €19.99 in the Nintendo eShop
1:08
Cozy Grove trailer takes you to a relaxed ghost island
For those who prefer camping to hotel accommodation, Cozy Grove is the vacation game to go. Similar to Spiritfarer, the premise may seem rather bleak at first glance: while camping on a haunted island, we are supposed to track down ghosts and help them find their way to the afterlife. But the pretty, hand-drawn graphic style alone ensures that Cozy Grove is always more cute than scary. In addition to ghost hunting, the gameplay also corresponds to a relaxed life simulation: we collect resources, expand our camp and beautify it with decorations, engage in various relaxed activities such as fishing, and meet unique characters with whom we can also become friends.
Cozy Grove for €13.99 in the Nintendo eShop
1:36
Yoku’s Island Express: Launch trailer for the pinball Metroidvania
Yoku’s Island Express creates a good mood with its game world alone, a sunny island paradise that shines in bright, bright colors. In addition, the pretty indie game has a lot of humor. As the little dung beetle Yoku, we take on the job of delivering the parcel. The game principle consists of a creative mixture of classic 2D Jump & Run and pinball machines. Yoku can be shot through the varied landscapes at breathtaking speed while hanging on his dung ball. Incidentally, despite its beauty, the world is not entirely peaceful, from time to time we have to fight our way to the destination of our packages. However, most of the cute characters are friendly and helpful and are happy to be supplied by us.
Yoku’s Island Express for €19.99 on Nintendo eShop
This article is a sponsored story that was created on behalf of an advertising partner of Webedia. It was created by a freelance writer who is not a member of the GamePro editorial team. The offers listed are provided with so-called affiliate links.
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