Sometimes you just want to take it easy. Maybe you want to dive into a new genre with unfamiliar mechanics, or you’re just not ready to face the unforgiving, inscrutable games like Dark Souls, Hollow Knight and the like.
If you are looking for simple games for Nintendo Switch — games that stay engaging and interesting without having to constantly put your own behind in your hands — we’ve put together a selection of the easiest games on Switch below.
Not just relaxing or comfortable or suitable for children, although there will be some crossover with all of these. Accessible the key word here is; Replace low-barrier-to-entry games that don’t burden you from the ground up with countless mechanics and systems upon systems. They are less stressful but interesting from the start and are very unlikely to turn you away because of their difficulties. they are scrutable, actually; basically, the anti-Dark Souls games in everything but quality.
So, in no particular orderwe present you our list the best simple games for Switch…
Publisher: Nintendo / Programmer: Nintendo
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers addictive, unifying, unfiltered fun that appeals to anyone brave enough to get behind the wheel, and with features that make it super easy, it’s one of the most accessible games on Switch.
That’s not to say it’s bland in any way – far from it. MK8D is one of the most action-packed games on the system, with anti-gravity sections and wild races around and beyond the familiar Mario universe that can get pretty manic even on the simplest of tracks. However, with plenty of auto control options, including automatic steering, with a bit of luck, even the worst driver can get a spot on the podium.
Not online, of course. People are insanely good (and competitive) online. Offline, however, Mario Kart 8 is as easy as you want it to be.
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Publisher: Improve games / Programmer: Resonair
This sublime game is undeniably Tetris, for people who love the idea but are rubbish at Tetris. Tetris Effect: Connected is designed to wash you, prioritizing the sensory experience over the high score. There is a challenge for those who seek it, but the barriers to entry have never been lower than with this particular iteration of the most famous puzzle in video game history. It’s never been easier to get into Tetris, let yourself go and spend an amazing time with it.
Publisher: Nintendo / Programmer: ArtePiazza
A breezy 12-15 hours of role-playing, Super Mario RPG is one of the most accessible and entertaining entries in the large, highly diverse genre. A remake of the Super NES original, it was always an easy game and the Switch version doesn’t change anything in that regard. It would also serve as a great introduction to the genre for curious gamers.
Shoutout to Paper Mario: The Origami King — a lovely adventure that shortens the challenge, but is also a little too sluggish in parts. In particular, its combat is uninteresting and feels like background in a way that Mario RPG doesn’t. Origami King’s beautiful visuals and excellent writing might keep you entertained enough to overlook its flaws; for us, however, Super Mario RPG has a distinct advantage.
Publisher: Nintendo / Programmer: Nintendo
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a blissful life simulation with no real state of failure, so it’s very easy to get into and take it at your own pace. The game has entire mechanics that you may never interact with. Some people spend all their time designing cool clothes, while others still wear what they wore years ago. If you are an avid amateur entomologist, check out the various bugs roaming around your island! Or don’t – that’s great.
The ease of Animal Crossing has made it such a hit with gamers of all kinds. You really can’t go wrong with it.
Publisher: Nintendo / Programmer: Game Freak
The Pokémon games have gotten easier over the years — at least if you just want to take the story to the Elite Four — and Let’s Go, Pikachu, and Eevee reimagine the original Game Boy games on Switch with a motion-controlled shooting mechanic that blends the series’ old-school turn-based gameplay with the accessibility of catching pocket monsters in Pokémon GO.
Throw in a big dose of nostalgia for everyone who caught them all (or some) in Kanto before, and this is a nice and simple pairing.
Publisher: WB games / Programmer: TT games
Sometimes you just want to smash up the scenery, vacuum up some shiny bits and move between areas standing on switches and head-butting baddies as you go. All of the above is the bread and butter of licensed Lego games, usually with a healthy dose of slapstick humor and the occasional drop-in/out co-op game. You know exactly what you’re getting with a licensed Lego game, and The Skywalker Saga is one of the best.
Alternatively, there are plenty of other Lego games if you’re not into Star Wars. Check out our picks for the best below:
Gavin likes a bit of couch co-operation, especially when assigning roles, barking instructions and giving valued performance feedback at the end. He lives in Europe (in a plain where it mostly rains) and his love for Banjo-Kazooie borders on unhealthy.
