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Cozy Nintendo Switch Games

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For me, the ultimate in cozy games is being able to curl up on the couch or in a recliner with a blanket on my legs and my dog right beside me as I play. Nintendo Switch is my favorite way to play cozy games.
 
Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
If you've never played a cozy game and want to check it out, start here!

If you've thought about this one a lot and wondered if the price tag is worth it, it is! (P.S. Because it's been out for awhile, you might be able to find a used copy if you're lucky. But if you have enjoyed cozy games before, get it whether it's ful...

I won't tell you the number of hours I've played this game, but I will say it got me through the pandemic and was a phenomenal way to “have fun with friends” when we couldn't all be in person. 

I may have even played the game on two switches to have two co-existing islands to fully decorate and to travel between to visit the opposite town's villagers. 

This will be a hard game to surpass. Nintendo, I hope you have something massive planned for Switch 2!

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch
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Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
No, you're not seeing double. This is the downloadable content for Animal Crossing, and just like the base game, it is phenomenal in every aspect. 

If you have ever wanted to dig in to designing every part of each villager's home, this is your opportunity. And that cap of 10 villagers on your home island? How fun would it be to welcome SO MANY more residents to create their dream home in a new d...

If you don't want the fun to end, you absolutely must pick up this expansion as well!

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC - Nintendo Switch
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Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
You certainly won't sink as many hours into this one as Animal Crossing, but I promise you'll enjoy every moment playing as the adorable penguin trying to reach the summit of the mountain to find some cell service! 

I hesitated when I saw the “pixelated” art style, but I really needn't have done so. Everything comes together in this super casual, meandering adventure from the art style to the incredible music. 

You will not want to rush your incredible trip up the mountain as you meet new friends, get lot in a little side quest or two, and just hang out to enjoy the picturesque places you'll find along the way.
A Short Hike for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site
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Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
This game is absolutely amazing.

Unpacking may not sound very fun to a lot of people, and perhaps in real life it isn't, but trust me, this game is SATISFYING. 

All the tiny objects, the sounds, the music, every little detail in this game I enjoyed. 

What you may not expect is a story. I was really taken aback by the narrative that develops over the course of our protagonist's life. What possessions does she carry, move after move? Which ones disappear and why might they have gone missing? 

That's all I'll say because you really need to experience this one for yourself! 

I HIGHLY recommend Unpacking.

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Unpacking
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Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
If you love both cozy games and the earth, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a great way to join your two loves. 

Laid back and beautiful, the story follows Alba during her summer at her grandparents' home. Spending so much time close to nature and with her grandfather (who adores birds!), Alba quickly realizes the island needs her help in more ways than one. 

It's been several years since I've played this game. My son and I played some of this together, and he loved being able to help the wildlife. Though he was a bit concerned about the animals, I assured him all would be well in the end (and, spoiler al...

Though I have linked to a physical copy here, you may want to check the Nintendo Switch online store. It is currently a MUCH better deal!

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Alba: A Wildlife Adventure - Nintendo Switch
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Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
If you have checked out my “Gifts for Cat Lovers" list, this one may look familiar! If you haven't, I have included my brief review below:

I downloaded this game for the Switch for myself, but after watching me laugh and play for a bit, my husband became addicted and finished the main storyline after a few binge sessions.  

If you loved The Untitled Goose Game, you'll be right at home here! The humor, great music, and puzzle-solving focus will feel familiar if you were a fan of the former.  

However, Little Kitty is an experience of its own, and I may actually prefer it. Your kitty meets all sorts of friends along the way, and I appreciated the dialogue, which adds a ton of humor and a basic storyline with side missions to the game.  

There are a variety of tasks to complete, and even once you finish the main quest, there is plenty more to be done.  

So cozy. So cute. So fun.  

I love supporting a new publisher as well, and I feel great about the purchase. Now *I* need to play through the game on my own!

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Little Kitty, Big City - Nintendo Switch
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Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
TLDR: The more I play, the more I enjoy this game. I don't see myself ever getting as addicted to any game as I did to Animal Crossing New Horizons (it was the pandemic, after all), but I dare say I think I have MANY hours ahead enjoying this game. 

FULL REVIEW
In truth, I wasn't sure I was going purchase this game. It's pricey, and as someone who didn't have a deep connection with the Hello Kitty characters, I wasn't sure how I would like it compared to perhaps two lower-priced games. I was also a bit conc...

But after telling one of my fellow Animal Crossing enthusiast friends about it and saying I'd buy it if she did, I was on the hook and took the plunge. 

Note: You CAN get the game at two price points. The physical copy seems to cost $60 from everywhere I've looked, but it does include a ton of bonus items that allow you to “catch up” on some of the events you've missed since release as well as some t... 

THE UGLY
I hesitated to write a review when I first got the game. There are three things that I really don't like. Let's get those out of the way. 

1. The camera is locked. I like to be able to rotate my camera to investigate the area and get my bearings, especially on a game with a large map like this one. It's also so cute, I want to see it from more angles. (When you take photos with your cha...

2. I can't decorate outside of the cabins. As someone who spent possibly the majority of my time on Animal Crossing designing my island inside and out, this is a letdown. I can tell there are a lot of cute items in this game, and I just want to find ... 

3. My character gets stuck more than I'd like. This seemed to be more of an issue in the early game when I didn't have as much stamina to jump out of small spots, but I definitely noticed it a lot more than I have in other games. The game does “recog...

THE GOOD
That's a lot of ugly, but everything else is good. I recommend this game, and I admit I've had a few binge sessions and throughly enjoyed myself. 

The character customization options are all adorable, and with even more options opening up as the game continues, you can really have a lot of fun switching up your look depending on your mood or even if you get bored and want to take on an entirely... 

This game is a sensory treat. There are the expected colorful palettes you might expect, but as you open more of the map, you'll find great diversity in the vibe. The music changes as you move about, and I love how seamlessly it reflects the mood of ... 

There is a good balance of sacchrine sweet dialogue and humor. I have laughed aloud multiple times while playing this game, and I don't know that it's something I expected. 

I can see the influence of other games on this title, but there are some new things as well. The more you play, the more options are available, and that is a trait that gives the game potential for longterm enjoyment. I can see some potential areas f... 

Whether you're a nostalgic adult, a younger gamer, or a cozy game addict, you will find something to love in Hello Kitty. 

Do note that some younger players may need assistance at times. But who knows? Maybe you'll even find yourself enjoying your time on this diverse island!

SPOILERS AHEAD:
One of my absolute favorite parts of Animal Crossing was the incredible amount of designing and customization I could do to both my island, and with the DLC, my villager and vacation homes. 

Fairly early on, you will have the option to customize visitor homes, and this is a real treat, as there are so many fun furniture and decorative items to enjoy. 

I also read online a bit, and I now know you can later expand your own cabin, and eventually, create apartment/mansion type cabins that can house multiple visitors. YES, PLEASE! I am totally all-in now. :D

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Hello Kitty Island Adventure - Deluxe Edition - Nintendo Switch
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Amanda Renee | CtrlZ Digital Designs profile picture
This is one of the best games I've ever played, and I found it by accident on the Switch store. It is PHENOMENAL. 

If you aren't sure based on the description, you can even download the free demo. I didn't even need to finish the demo before I knew that this one was something special!


I have been taking my time reaching the end of the main storyline, and I think I'd like to write the full review once I have completed it. 

If I take too long, I may return prior to that. However, before it went off sale, I bought the related expansion as well. I don't know of any games quite like this one, and I want the experience to last. 

P.S. If you play on computer, this title is also available in the Steam store.
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site
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