The Best Cozy Games to Play This Winter
Cold outside, blanket on, controller in hand. These are the best cozy games to play this winter, from farming sims to tiny island hikes.
There’s a specific kind of winter evening that calls for a specific kind of game. It’s dark by five, it’s raining (or, if you’re lucky enough to be up a mountain, snowing), and the last thing you want is a sweaty online shooter. You want something warm. Something where the biggest problem is whether to plant turnips or parsnips.
That’s what cozy games are for. No stress, no timers breathing down your neck, no one shouting at you in voice chat. Just pleasant little worlds where you grow things, decorate things, meet nice people and make slow progress at your own pace. Here are the best cozy games to sink into this winter.
Pixel’s comfort game is Stardew Valley, every winter without fail. The routine never changes: a blanket, a cup of mountain tea, and one more in-game day that somehow turns into six. The farm is in its fourth year now, and every chicken is named after someone from Greek mythology, courtesy of Nyx.
Stardew Valley
Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile
The king of cozy, and still the best. You inherit your grandfather’s overgrown farm in Pelican Town and slowly turn it into something special: planting crops, raising animals, fishing, mining and getting to know the townsfolk (and maybe marrying one of them). There’s always something to do, and nothing you have to do.
Ten years after release it’s still getting free updates, and the co-op mode lets you farm with friends or a partner. If you’ve somehow never played it, start here. If you have, winter is the perfect excuse for a fresh save.
Where to get it: Steam
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platforms: Switch, Switch 2
Move to a deserted island, pay off a very reasonable loan to a raccoon, and turn it into your perfect little paradise. Animal Crossing runs on real time, so winter in the game matches winter outside, with snowflakes to catch, snowmen to build and the holiday events to look forward to. It’s the definition of a game you play for twenty minutes a day for months. The Switch 2 edition adds some nice upgrades for anyone returning to their island.
Where to get it: Nintendo
Pokémon Pokopia
Platforms: Switch 2
The newest game on our list, and a lovely surprise from the Pokémon series. Instead of catching and battling, Pokopia is a cozy life-sim about building a home and a community with Pokémon. It’s already one of the most talked-about Switch 2 releases of 2026 for anyone who wants a slower, gentler Pokémon game. Nyx’s first weekend with it disappeared into tending a garden and welcoming new Pokémon to town, which tells you everything about how gentle it is.
Where to get it: Nintendo
A Short Hike
Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
A little bird named Claire wants to reach the top of a mountain to get phone signal. That’s the whole setup, and it’s perfect. You climb, glide, fish, chat with other hikers and find secrets around a small, beautiful island park. It takes about two to four hours, it’s endlessly charming, and it costs about as much as a sandwich. One of the best “Sunday afternoon” games ever made.
Where to get it: Steam
Unpacking
Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile
You unpack boxes and put things away. That’s it. And yet, through the objects you unpack in each new home over the years, you slowly piece together the life of someone you never see. It’s relaxing in a deeply satisfying way (that perfect feeling of finding the right shelf for something) and quietly moving. Another short one, around four hours.
Where to get it: Steam
Spiritfarer
Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
A cozy game about death, which sounds like a contradiction until you play it. You’re Stella, a ferrymaster for the spirits of the dead, sailing a boat you can build up with gardens, kitchens and workshops. You look after your passengers, cook their favourite meals and help them let go when they’re ready. It’s warm, gorgeous and will absolutely make you cry. Keep tissues nearby.
Where to get it: Steam
Dorfromantik
Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
A puzzle game about placing hexagonal tiles to build a peaceful countryside of fields, forests, villages and rivers. You get bonuses for matching edges and completing little quests, and the game ends when you run out of tiles. It’s like a calmer, prettier version of the board game Carcassonne, with a soft, watercolour look and a soundtrack that could put a toddler to sleep. Perfect for winding down before bed.
Where to get it: Steam
Tiny Glade
Platforms: PC
Less a game, more a beautiful toy. You draw walls, paths and buildings, and Tiny Glade automatically turns them into charming castles and villages, with ivy growing on the stones and little sheep wandering around. There’s no goal, no score and no way to fail. Just you making pretty things on a lazy evening.
Where to get it: Steam
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile
Think Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, but with Disney and Pixar characters as your neighbours. Farm, cook, decorate and do quests for Mickey, Moana, Wall-E and dozens more. It’s especially good if you’re playing alongside kids, and it has a huge amount of content these days.
Where to get it: Steam
Cozy tips for winter gaming
- Play in short sessions. Cozy games are at their best in 30 to 60 minute bursts. Let them be a little treat.
- Turn the sound up. Many of these games have gorgeous, gentle soundtracks. Good headphones make a real difference.
- Try co-op. Stardew Valley, Disney Dreamlight Valley and Animal Crossing all let you play with someone else. More ideas in The Best Co-op Games to Play With Your Partner.
- Keep a short game for the weekend. A Short Hike and Unpacking are perfect for one rainy afternoon. For more, see The Best Short Games You Can Finish in a Weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most relaxing video game?
Tiny Glade and Dorfromantik are the most relaxing on this list, since there’s very little you can do wrong in either. Unpacking is a close third.
What are the best cozy games on Switch?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Stardew Valley, A Short Hike and Spiritfarer are all great on Switch. Switch 2 owners should also look at Pokémon Pokopia.
Are there cozy games for PC?
Plenty. Stardew Valley, Tiny Glade, Dorfromantik, Unpacking and Spiritfarer are all on PC, and many of them run well on a Steam Deck too.
