The Nintendo Switch is one of the best consoles for older adults and seniors due to being one of the most flexible and accessible gaming systems. There’s a wide range of game types, fit for all age groups and playstyles. You can play with it hooked to your TV for an immersive gaming experience, or even in handheld form while sitting on the couch! The Nintendo Switch’s massive game library offers plenty of choices for older adults and seniors who want to relax and have fun. This list of games is easy to learn, self-paced, and relaxing.
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Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a cozy farming simulation game where you can move at your own pace. You inherit a farm from your grandfather that you can slowly build into whatever you want it to be. You can plant crops, raise animals, fish, mine, cook, and grow relationships with the people in the town. The days are calm and there’s no pressure to rush. You can focus on one task or give everything a try. It’s no wonder this game is a fan favorite that people keep coming back to!
Check out Stardew Valley on Amazon!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a relaxing life simulation game that places you on your own deserted island that can be slowly turned into your own paradise. You can fish, craft, decorate your home, or interact with other residents. The pace is slow and calm, so it’s a perfect Nintendo Switch game if you want to relax and unwind.
Check out Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Amazon!Â
A Short Hike
A Short Hike is an open-world exploration game where you will play as a bird named Claire who needs to make a very important call. To get cell phone service, you need to make it to the peak of the mountain by walking, climbing, or even flying at your own pace. The player must also find golden feathers along the way, which allow additional abilities that are necessary to make it to the top. You will also meet other animals during your journey that offer side quests and rewards. A Short Hike is a peaceful game that is easy to pick up and learn, making it a good Nintendo Switch game for older adults and seniors who are looking for a relaxing adventure.
Check out A Short Hike on the Nintendo Store!
Donut CountyÂ
Donut County is a puzzle game where you play as a raccoon. Your goal is simple: control a trash-swallowing hole that needs to swallow up objects to grow in size. You will navigate through multiple levels, trying to get everything in the hole to complete it. This is a fun and unique game that is perfect for people who like relaxing puzzles.
Check out Donut County on the Nintendo Store!
Unpacking
If you love organization, Unpacking is the game for you! In this award-winning game, each level takes place in a different year. You play as a character unpacking boxes while moving into a new home. You will need to find a place for every item. As you move through the years, the items will tell the story of the main character’s life. It’s a relaxing game that tells a story about growing up and navigating life through the objects we carry with us.
Check out Unpacking on Amazon!
Endless Ocean Luminous
Endless Ocean Luminous is a beautiful adventure simulation game where you play as a scuba diver. Your goal is to document different types of marine life in the unexplored Veiled Sea. You’ll find hundreds of different types of animals to discover and be able to explore underwater structures and shipwrecks. The game is calm and self-paced, allowing you to explore at your own speed. Since there isn’t any danger or combat, gameplay is peaceful, beautiful, and easy to learn. These qualities make Endless Ocean Luminous one of the best Nintendo Switch games for older adults and seniors.Â
Check out Endless Ocean Luminous on Amazon!
Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon is a classic farming simulation game where you inherit a neglected farm from your grandfather. Similar to Stardew Valley, the goal is to restore the farm and make it successful again. You will farm crops, forage, raise and care for livestock, and sell your harvests to make money. You will get to interact with other people in the town, attend town festivals, and become part of the community. This game moves at a relaxing pace, allowing you to take your time and choose your daily activities. This is perfect for a low-pressure video game that is very satisfying to play.
Check out Harvest Moon on Amazon!
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a management and life simulation game that is known for its slow and relaxed gameplay. You will play as a woman named Stella, who is tasked with the job of helping guide spirits to the afterlife. You will build and upgrade the ship, complete small tasks, take care of the spirits, and slowly uncover their backstories before helping them move on. This is a beautifully crafted emotional game that is sure to impress you. The game moves at a relaxed pace, the tasks are easy to manage, and you can even play with a friend as well!
Check out Spiritfarer on Amazon!
Death Squared
Death Squared is a charming puzzle game where you guide small cube-shaped robots through obstacles to try to get them to their goal. As you move them, you may trigger different environmental challenges that add to the level’s difficulty. The game can be played alone or cooperatively with another player. Though the puzzles do become a bit more challenging as the game progresses, it’s a great choice for an older adult or senior who enjoys problem-solving at a relaxed pace.
Check out Death Squared on the Nintendo Store!
Cat Quest
Cat Quest is a lighthearted RPG that’s set in Felingard, a charming world full of cats. You will play as a cat on a mission to rescue his kidnapped sister, while uncovering an even bigger story along the way. You will roam and explore the land, complete quests, upgrade your gear, help people in the town, fight enemies, and unlock spells and abilities.
While this story has a cozy and relaxing feel to it, there is some combat within the game that requires some timed attacks, spells, and dodging. Most enemies will be easy to handle, though there are some that can be surprisingly difficult. So, for older adults and seniors who want a fun Nintendo Switch adventure game with some light action, this is an excellent game to consider playing!
Check out Cat Quest on Amazon!
Legend of Zelda:Â Breath of the Wild
In Breath of the Wild, you will play as a character named Link who is on a mission to save the kingdom of Hyrule. This is an open-world game, so you’re free to explore the lands, solve puzzles, cook, and take on quests as you see fit. The game is beautifully crafted. You can spend hours exploring, and many people enjoy the freedom that the game offers.
The game is beloved for its beautiful visuals, great story, and freedom that lets you move at your own pace. However, it does include some combat, climbing, and stamina management, which can be a bit challenging depending on your level of comfort with video games.
Check out Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Amazon!
Captain Toad: Treasure TrackerÂ
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an adorable puzzle platform game set in the Mario universe, where you will guide Captain Toad or Toadette through small diorama-style levels. Your goal is to make it through an obstacle course to reach the gold star. Each level requires solving some puzzles or challenges to get to the end.
Since Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is self-paced and uses simple controls, it is among the best Nintendo Switch games for older adults and seniors. It’s upbeat, relaxing, and never overwhelming at all. The puzzles are clever and unique without being frustrating or overly stressful. The game is excellent for all ages and skill levels!
Check out Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker on Amazon!Â
Monopoly
Monopoly is a digital version of the popular board game that many people know and love! It contains all of the typical elements of rolling dice and buying properties, while still having that tabletop board game feel. You can play solo or with friends/family. This is an excellent game for older adults and seniors because the rules of the game are familiar, the pace is slow, and there’s no need for fast reflexes or complicated controls.
Check out Monopoly now on Amazon!Â
Story of Seasons
If you loved the classic Harvest Moon games from the 90s, Story of Seasons will feel very familiar. It’s a slow-paced farming and life simulation game where you’ll grow crops, raise animals, meet people in the town, and gradually create the farm of your dreams. This game is perfect for older adults who want a low-stress game that allows them to take their time and enjoy the small aspects of living the farm life.Â
Check out Story of Seasons on Amazon!
Tetris Effect
Tetris Effect is an award-winning puzzle game that takes the classic block stacking gameplay and pairs it with stunning visuals and music. As you line up shapes in order to clear lines, the music and effects will react to the gameplay. For older adults, this is a great pick because it’s well-known, timeless, and endlessly satisfying. The game can be played at your own pace, and the controls are simple, making it relaxing and enjoyable without unnecessary stress.
Check out Tetris Effect on Amazon!
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
This is the ultimate digital game night packed into one game. It features 51 board, card, and puzzle games, as well as sports games, so there’s always something new to play. You can play some classic games like chess, checkers, backgammon, or even give some sports games a try, like bowling, darts, or fishing. This Nintendo Switch game is an excellent choice for older adults and seniors who love classic games because you get a huge variety without needing to buy each individual game. These games are generally relaxing and fun to play alone or with others!Â
Check out Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics on Amazon!Â
Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune is basically the classic TV game show right on your Switch. You will spin the wheel, guess letters, and solve the phrases and sayings. The controls are simple, and you can play solo or compete online against others. This is an entertaining and relaxing choice for older adults who enjoy word games or are fans of the TV show.
Check out Wheel of Fortune on Amazon!Â
Jeopardy!Â
This Jeopardy! game plays just like the well-known TV trivia show, which keeps you mentally engaged without feeling rushed. If you like quiz-style games that test your knowledge, then this is a great choice for you. This game even has a family mode if you prefer to play in a group!Â
Check out Jeopardy! on Amazon!Â
Mario Party
Mario Party is a really fun party game to play with groups of all ages! In this game, you will move around a gameboard, land on different spaces, and play different minigames along the way. Most of these minigames are simple and easy to figure out; however, there are some faster-paced ones that may require some quicker reflexes. Overall, the game offers lighthearted competition, so it’s a great game for playing with family, grandkids, or friends!
Check out Mario Party on Amazon!
Picross
Picross is a relaxing nonogram puzzle game where you use number clues to fill in grids and slowly reveal hidden pictures. This is a self-paced game that lets you take your time and solve the puzzles at your own speed. It’s worth mentioning when discussing the best Nintendo Switch games for older adults and seniors who enjoy logic and problem-solving. The game doesn’t require fast reflexes or difficult controls. You can play for a short period of time or spend hours on the puzzles, which makes it a satisfying way to keep your mind busy!Â
Check out Picross on the Nintendo Store!