It is no question that Nintendo devices continue to be the most attractive to family audiences. With various colorful properties that are released on a yearly basis, Nintendo games tend to be ones that even the youngest of gamers can pick up a controller and enjoy.
Of course, it is understandable if this younger player doesn't want to deal with many conflicts. Even older gamers may find it tiring to deal with games that involve some sort of combat on a constant basis. Luckily, there are a good handful of great games on the Nintendo Switch that feature no combat scenarios.
10 Lil Gator Game
For those who played video games since they were a kid, it is easy to think about a time when of being inspired by the heroes that would go out on adventures across the land and take down evil beasts that stand in their way. Lil Gator Game is all about attempting to live that inspiration and hilarious kids acting as if they were in their own game.
As Lil Gator, the player is attempting to get their Big Sis interested in playing imaginary games with them again. So, they work on building the game by going on an adventure and rounding up a bunch of fellow kids who are interested in crafting a world of their own. This 3D open-world platformer has plenty of places to explore and cool tools to get around with.
9 Kentucky Route Zero
Narrative games are always a perfect place to look for those looking for an experience that doesn't involve combat. One of the best narrative games that was released over the course of a decade is Cardboard Computer's Kentucky Route Zero, a point-and-click adventure title.
The game starts by focusing on Conway, a truck driver is driving down Route Zero on his way to making a delivery for the last time. Along the way, he runs into a collection of characters who each have their own hint of mystery about them. Kentucky Route Zero takes place over five acts, with each act having been released individually over eight years.
8 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
Another genre that typically lacks in combat are walking simulators. There have been plenty of great ones over the years, but very few are as hilarious as The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe. This version of the game is a remake, which includes both the original experience plus a ton of bonus content.
The premise of The Stanley Parable revolves around a man named Stanley who gets up from his desk at work to see that everyone has disappeared. The game can be completed in a handful of minutes, but the experience is far more rewarding if players go for many of the possible endings, which can be done by disobeying the narrator as he speaks.
7 Tetris Effect: Connected
Tetris has long had ties to Nintendo as it was one of the biggest Game Boy titles ever sold and one of the main reasons why the system was so popular. For those looking for a more modern take on the classic puzzler, look no further than Tetris Effect: Connected.
Along with playing rounds of the tile-placing sensation, Tetris Effect: Connected features amazing visuals that will make staring at the screen more of a feast for the eyes. There are some competitive multiplayer modes, but the main Tetris Effect game is perfect for those looking to avoid combat.
6 FEZ
It is not often that platformers don't have some kind of combat, even if it is in a simple format. But there are a few that put more of an emphasis on the platforming itself. That is the case for a game likeFEZ, which has a colorful art style that is super welcome on its own.
Players take on the role of Gomez who has discovered that, after living in a two-dimensional world for so long, there is a third dimension that he didn't even know about. FEZ tasks players with having Gomez making leaps to platforms then turning the stage around to reveal more platforms. It is also a nonlinear story, allowing players to explore to their hearts' content.
5 Portal Companion Collection
While it may be more famous for being on PC and even PlayStation, the Portal Companion Collection sees both the original Portal and its sequel come to the Nintendo Switch for those who like the idea of playing it on a handheld device.
Portal is a narrative puzzle game about a testing subject in a facility that is looking to escape the series of puzzle rooms that is being presented to them. The main gimmick of these games is the gun that is wielded, which allows the player to shoot two different portals that they can pass through and used to solve specific conundrums.
4 A Short Hike
Open world games are meant to be epic adventures that involve taking on the world, clearing a bunch of objectives, and beating a bunch of bad guys. But sometimes it's nice to have a game where players can just explore without any threat and pursue a more relaxing goal overall.
In A Short Hike, Claire is visiting Hawk Peak Provincial Park and is looking for cellphone reception. Her aunt informs her that the only reception is at the mountain top. The goal of A Short Hike is to roam around the island, help others, and gather enough golden feathers to have the strength necessary to make it to the very top.
3 Inside
It is completely fair to want to enjoy a more intense story while not wanting to participate in major combat events. That is why Inside stands out as it is a game that leaves many players at the edge of their seats while focusing mainly on puzzles, platforming, and stealth.
As a little boy, players will be placed right into a situation where they are attempting to make their way into a facility without anyone else noticing. Throughout Inside, the boy will have to deal with some strange encounters and use the surrounding environment to figure out how to keep pushing himself forward.
2 Celeste
There is a way to make a game incredibly challenging while also accessible and approachable for those who prefer to feel comfortable playing a platformer. That is what makes Celeste such a stand-out indie game as it provides players with a difficult scenario while not punishing them harshly for failing.
Madeline is on a personal journey to climb the entirety of Celeste Mountain. Along the way, she is confronted with treacherous structures and her own personal demons that she is forced to confront head on. Luckily, there is no combat in Celeste, allowing players to just focus on the obstacles ahead of them.
1 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
There are plenty of solid family-friendly Nintendo titles, but only a few feature no combat at all. One of the most popular games that the company has made is also one of their most peaceful. That game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, debuted at a time when many people needed it.
The fifth main installment in its franchise, Animal Crossing: New Horizons have players starting from scratch in building their community up from the beginning, later learning how to transform their island into something more personal. Just like past games, New Horizons has players decorate their house, collect items for the museum, and socialize with the various characters.
