The Best Cozy Games and Accessories
It’s the perfect time to start playing cozy games. And by cozy games, I mean the opposite of what you might think. For some, video games are about loud noises, intense competition, and cutthroat leaderboards. The best cozy games embody the opposite feeling. They’re mindless but not uninvolved; inviting but not harrying. They’re meant to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and peace. In my opinion, they're best enjoyed solo alongside a cup of tea.
I’ve always loved cozy games, but the colder months are my favorite time to play them. Take a chance and add a few to your gaming library. It’s important to note that “cozy” is relative—if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, then it’s cozy. These are my favorites.
Be sure to check out our many related buying and gift guides, like the Best Mobile Game Controllers, the Best Mobile Games, and the Best Gaming Headsets.
Updated October 2025: We've added Date Everything, Hello Kitty: Island Adventure, and a few different accessories to this guide. We've also checked for accuracy throughout.
Adventuring, but Cozy
If Stardew Valley (it's listed below!) was bigger and had more of a magical, fantasy feeling, you'd get Sun Haven. The map is immense, and there are many characters you can build relationships with. The storyline is rich and also very much play-at-your-own pace—if you don't have potatoes growing on your farm in Spring 1, you're not going to be set back by a year. My favorite part of Sun Haven is the skill tree. If you'd rather use a bow and arrow than a sword, there's a skill for that. Or if you'd like to focus on foraged goods instead of farming, you can tailor to that play style.
Even though I hate the fishing minigame with all of my might, if you've put a lot of hours into Stardew and you're looking for something new, Sun Haven is definitely worth a playthrough. Just beware of giant, path-blocking Snaccoons.
Farming, but Cozy
A cozy game roundup would be completely remiss without Stardew Valley. It’s iconic—a certified classic—but this farming game received recent updates to keep things feeling fresh. The formula is probably one you’re familiar with: Your character leaves the Big City to take care of the family farm. But while Stardew Valley is a wonderful farming simulator, it’s so much more than that. You can go fishing, dig up treasures, build relationships with other characters, take part in seasonal events, and take down a capitalist regime. All in a day’s work.
Dating, but Cozy
Date Everything! isn't for everybody, especially given the fact that it's a dating simulator with potential NSFW content. But I found it super cute and fun to play, and happily spent many hours navigating the narrative-based title. You're playing as a character stuck in their house, and thanks to a pair of special glasses, you suddenly find yourself able to date … well, everything. From your wallpaper to your nightstand to your washing machine and dryer, half the fun of this game is unlocking new dateable characters. The rest of it is somewhat monotonous—you go find a dateable, talk to them, uncover more of their story, and build relationships with them. But the dialog is well written and oftentimes hilarious, and other times it's surprisingly poignant. And yeah, some characters are cringe, but that just makes it feel more realistic to me. (Do not ask me about my relationship with my closet hangers.) And I appreciated the content filters, so if you don't want to see overtly NSFW or potentially triggering content, you can still play this game and enjoy it.
Pizza, but Cozy
If we're in the same TikTok algorithmic circles, you've probably seen game streamers playing this title live. Good Pizza, Great Pizza is a cute cooking game on its surface, but there's a compelling story behind the characters that are ordering. It's just hectic enough to keep things interesting, and there's a huge online community if you get stuck or want some advice.
Unlike most other games, GPGP doesn't suffer on a tablet. I like playing on my iPad with my Apple Pencil. The game is available for the Nintendo Switch, but the controls are wonky and it doesn't get as many updates. We've linked it, but you may want to consider playing on another platform.
Hello Kitty, but Cozy
I really didn't think I'd like this game as much as I do. But I do! I'm not even the biggest fan of Hello Kitty or its associated universe of characters (though now I've formed opinions on which is the best, and of course by that, I mean I'd die for Pompompurin.) Hello Kitty Island Adventure is cute and fun regardless. There are all the usual cozy game mechanics—you can go fishing and swimming, grow crops, run around and collect loot, and make friends. But there are also mysteries to unlock, plenty of seasonal events, and even some puzzle mechanics that feel like something out of a Legend of Zelda game. There's enough going on at any given moment that there's a near-constant flow of dopamine from achievements big and small. This title almost scratched the itch in my brain that's been craving another game like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, so if that one was a favorite of yours, I'd recommend giving it a try—even if you don't know how cute Pochacco is yet.
Dungeons and Dragons, but Cozy
When you think about Baldur’s Gate 3, the first thing that pops into your mind probably isn’t “cozy,” but hear me out.
Whether you spent your day battling mind flayers or goblins, or you went trekking through dangerous dungeons, each day in Baldur’s Gate 3 ends with a campfire, pajamas, and snacks. It’s a bit of game design that provides a sense of safety, and a sense of home even though our heroes spend the bulk of the game on the road. And it gives you a dedicated place to just unwind, talk with your companions about the latest goings-on (and hot goss).
Not to mention, the game features really granular difficulty options, so your time outside camp can be as chill or un-chill as you want it to be. I like to play it at a brutal, punishing difficulty level, because it makes returning to camp every night feel that much more relaxing—like when you go into a warm, cozy café after a long walk in bitter winter cold. —Jaina Grey
Island Development, but Cozy
I already wrote an entire love letter about this game, and you've probably heard about it or already played it for hours, but suffice it to say that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the coziest games in existence. Your character is in charge of developing a deserted island. There are seemingly endless customization and decoration options, and as you progress, you’ll meet more neighbors and unlock more activities. (I've got lots of starter tips here!) Highlights include collecting bugs and fish, renovating your home, and decorating your island to perfection. It kills me that Nintendo stopped adding new content to the game, but if you haven’t put hundreds of hours into it like I have, welcome to your new favorite hobby. (As with all things, it might not be for everyone.)
