Gaming is a solid choice if you need a bit of a break from the monotony and stresses of real life. No genre is better for this than simulation games, providing a whole other life where you controleverything, rather than being forced to adapt to the world around you.
There are multiple kinds of simulation games, encompassing everything from animal sims to farm sims to city builders and everything in between. Having the escape of simulation games can only be improved by the portability of the Nintendo Switch. Now you can escape wherever you are, whenever you need a moment’s break from reality.
If you’re looking for something to control or something to occupy your time while you shut down from a long day, here are 10 of the best simulation games available to play on Nintendo Switch.
House Flipper
There’s something incredibly therapeutic about destroying something, andHouse Flippernot only lets you do that but also rebuild it in a way that suits you. It’s all about home renovation, either for clients or as a buy-and-resell business, with more houses unlocking for the latter when you complete more of the former.
There are countless options for decor and furniture, all of which can be customized to some degree, and updates toHouse Flipperarestill being releasedeven thoughHouse Flipper 2has been available to play for 2 years now. The firstHouse Flippermanages to beat out its successor because of the number of gameplay elements added over the years.
Let’s Build a Zoo
Let’s Build a Zoois what would emerge ifZoo TycoonandStardew Valleycopulated and had a life-sim love child. Pixel games are undeniably charming in their aesthetic, but having control over an array of adorable animals while enticing in customers with your decoration choices takesLet’s Build a Zooto a whole new level of enjoyable. And all of that is without mentioning the fact that you’ll face a series of moral choices along the way.
Since it was released on Nintendo Switch in 2022,Let’s Build a Zoohas received two DLC packs.Aquarium Odysseyis exactly as it sounds, with a whole new campaign centered around fish and other aquatic animals.Dinosaur Islandhas a separate campaign too, except this one takes you closer toJurassic Parkthan a basic zoo experience, adding 50 dinosaurs.
Stardew Valley
Let’s be honest, did you really expect a list of simulation gamesnotto includeStardew Valley? It’s a classic at this point, and there’s a long list of reasons to get stuck in and start a new life on the farm in Pelican Town. From basic farming to diving into the Mines and Skull Cavern, there are hundreds of hours to play through.
Thanks to the recent 1.6 update (a full six months after it was released on PC), there are now even more things to take up your time, including atree full of adorable Raccoons, theDesert FestivalandSquidFest, theMastery system, and evena whole new farm typeamong many, many more additions.
Goat Simulator
I never said that all of the suggestions on this list should be taken entirely seriously, and if any of them definitely shouldn’t, it’sGoat Simulator. However, having said that there’s something undeniably fun and freeing about running around a town as a sticky-tongued goat, causing absolute chaos and untold destruction.
Not only do you get the base game when you purchase through the Nintendo eShop, but you also get theMMO Simulator,Goat Z,Payday, andWaste of SpaceDLCs included. All of those extras are filled with chaos and laughs that are sure to help you unwind if you’re stressed.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
When you think of life sims on the Nintendo Switch, I’d hazard a guess thatAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsprobably comes to mind first. Thanks to its timely release during the early days of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and all of the lockdowns that resulted,New Horizonsimmediately became an escape from reality for many and continues to be such to this day.
It’s cute, there’s nothing too taxing, there’s no health bar to worry about and, most of all, you have complete control over what your island looks like and who lives on it (for the most part, sometimes it’s hard to get rid of unwanted villagers, but perseverance is key). That control over something is addictive, and it’s easy to see why so many people have clocked up hundreds of hours of playtime.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Even if you’re not a ‘Disney adult’, you’ll find something to love aboutDisney Dreamlight Valley. LikeAnimal Crossing, it offers you full control over a huge amount of space, villagers, and friendships with various Disney characters both new and classic. Whether you want to be best friends with Merlin or drag Stitch along while you do your gardening, there’s something for everyone.
Disney Dreamlight Valleybenefits from a regular update schedule, each of which has added a massive amount of features to keep gameplay fresh, even when you’ve been playing for years. Plus, there are two DLCs (Rift in TimeandStorybook Vale) which add even more characters and content to get through, so there is never a shortage of things to do.
Bee Simulator
As someone with a deathly fear of Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and basically anything black and yellow that buzzes, I wasn’t expecting to love (or even like)Bee Simulatorwhen I picked it up out of curiosity. However, the game itself is stunning, and once I got over the horror that I was suddenly a buzzy bee in this giant world, I found I didn’t mind so much. If I can manage that, then you can too.
You will, of course, come into contact with some (usually small) things that suddenly seem indescribably large, such as the Stag Beetle that’s suddenly terrifying to behold. However, the Central Park-inspired setting is filled with secrets to discover and pollen to collect, so you won’t get stuck with the beasties for long.
Bear and Breakfast
In reality, a Bed and Breakfast built and managed by a bear is a singularly horrifying prospect, but it works extraordinarily well in game format, andBear and Breakfastis a joy from beginning to end. Once you’ve built and personalized your cabin, you can invite a myriad of guests to stay, and impressing them will cause more guests.
There are also story quests to complete, all of which will unlock new perks or items to improve your BnB, plus a whole forest to explore so that you can discover its secrets. Plus, you’re a derpy bear with the best of intentions, which is always a cute bonus.
Unpacking
Unpackingis different from the other simulation games listed here because you don’t have any option to move or much choice over what happens, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to play, time and again. The concept is simple — you unpack boxes and slowly uncover the life story of the person who owns the items inside.
The art style is adorable, and the story is likely to resonate with everybody at one point or another. Who knows, unpacking these boxes might even help you to unpack parts of your own life, and there’s something therapeutic about that.
Fae Farm
Fae Farmis a life sim set in the world of Azoria, a magical land of enchanting creatures and a variety of people to meet and befriend, and it’s utterly charming in every way. As with most other life sims of its type,Fae Farmallows you to improve your skills in cooking, potion-making, and crafting.
One of the best things aboutFae Farmis the fact that the story develops entirely independently of the in-game calendar, so there’s no pressure to do anything in a hurry. you’re able to play at your own pace, even with friends if you want to, and you won’t ever risk missing out on anything.
