The gaming world has seen exponential growth over the past few years thanks to the esports boom and, perhaps more importantly, pandemic gamers who joined in the fun when Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released in 2020. Of course, that wasn’t the beginning of so-called “cozy gaming,” but it was certainly a watershed moment for the genre. Now, simple, cute, and relaxing games are being released, almost on a daily basis, to the complete delight of gamers who couldn’t care less about when the next Call of Duty is coming out.

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While there are tons of veteran gamers playing cozy games alongside their other favorite genres, many new players are still trying to navigate the expansive world of gaming. It’s not exactly easy for newcomers to figure out which console to play on, or if they should even bother with buying a console. Then there’s mobile gaming, handheld consoles, and cloud gaming, plus all the accessories that can (or must) go along with these options. It’s certainly a lot to take in, and with a wide range of prices, often adding up to hundreds of dollars, it’s natural for new players to be a little cautious when making gaming purchases.

How to Play Cozy Games in 2024

While the plethora of options may be overwhelming at first, each gaming platform has its own set of unique qualities that make it a better or worse choice for gamers. Some platforms, such as PCs and mobile devices, are already very familiar to most people, but for those just now entering the gaming sphere, there’s still a lot to learn about each option.

PC

This is one of the most common platforms, simply because most people have a computer in their home already. While gaming PCs can get pretty pricey, anyone who is planning on playing exclusively cozy games will likely run into zero problems using their standard work computer. The PC is also great for online play, as there are plenty of niche communities to join.

PlayStation 4

The PlayStation, in general, is a great option for players who enjoy good visuals and longer games, such as JRPGs. The PS4 is a last-gen console, but for cozy gamers, that just means it’s much more affordable than newer platforms. At the same time, it’s unlikely that new titles will continue to be released for PS4, so it’s ideal for gamers with a specific title in mind or those who mostly enjoy older games.

PlayStation 5

The PS5 is one of the most visually striking platforms available, with 4K quality baked into most games. The PS5, along with the Xbox Series consoles, is also one of the most advanced gaming consoles. This console is ideal for cozy gamers who also want to get into more intense gameplay or who want to share their console with a more competitive gamer.

Xbox One

Similar to the PS4, the Xbox One is a last-gen console and thus, much more affordable than other options. The Xbox One has access to most games on Microsoft’s Game Pass, which includes a ton of cozy games and indie titles. As a last-gen console though, it’s unlikely that many new titles will continue to be released on the platform. This console is ideal for players who love indie games and want to be able to play a lot of titles at a very affordable price.

Xbox Series X|S

The Xbox Series X is one of the best consoles on the market right now, with the Series S being a more affordable alternative that removes the disc drive and relies heavily on cloud gaming. With 4K capabilities, this console is ideal for players who want to get into the newest games and enjoy striking visuals. Again, Game Pass is an excellent subscription service that allows players to enjoy hundreds of cozy games. Plus, the online community is extremely active on Xbox, with niche communities being able to easily join up for any game. This console is best for players who want to be able to play a wide variety of games while chatting with friends.

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Mobile

If PC gaming is easy for most people to get into, mobile gaming is absolutely effortless. Although some games call for a more advanced mobile device, most cozy games can be played on just about any type of phone or tablet. This is likely the lowest-cost entry into gaming, though with mobile controllers and other accessories such as wireless headphones, mobile gaming can quickly become a premium experience. This gaming platform is best for gamers on a budget or who regularly commute on public transit.

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo is one of the most recognizable names in gaming history, as many non-gaming grandmothers can attest to, and that’s for good reason. The Nintendo Switch is quite an innovative console, allowing gamers to play both on their TVs and in a handheld mode. Many new cozy gamers picked up their own Switch when the new Animal Crossing was released, but there are tons of other titles available to play. While this platform, and the games released for it, tend to be a bit more expensive than other options, Nintendo is easy to work with and is perfect for players who are completely new to gaming.

Handheld Consoles

Fairly new to the gaming scene, a number of handheld consoles have been released in recent years that may appeal to cozy gamers more than anything else. The top handheld consoles are the Steam Deck, Logitech G Cloud, and the Asus ROG Ally. All three of these options make use of cloud gaming, or gaming through a wireless connection to a game service such as GeForce NOW and Game Pass, though the Steam Deck and Asus’ ROG Ally also allow for downloaded games to be saved and played at any time. These consoles are fairly expensive for what they offer, and are best suited to cozy gamers who never want to game on a TV, but want a bigger screen than their phone or tablet can offer.

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Key Features Every Cozy Gamer Wants

Obviously, there are a lot of small yet vital differences between each platform. Players can hone in on which one would be best for their specific needs by considering these factors before making a purchase:

• Comfort: Cozy gaming just isn’t fun if a player is uncomfortable. How comfortable a platform will be is mostly based on its exterior design and the location that a player will be gaming from. Gamers should think about whether they want to game on a couch, in a chair, or lounging in bed, as well as whether they’d prefer to play with the screen very close to their face or at a distance on a TV or PC monitor.
• Accessibility: Players in busy households or who are frequently away from home should think about how portable their gaming platform is, as well as how easy it is to use. Some gaming devices can be played at a moment’s notice. Other options need to be properly plugged into other devices, such as a TV or a gaming router, to be fully functional. Players who want to be able to pick up their cozy game at any time and those who want to set aside dedicated game time will probably want two different platforms.
• Affordability: Budget constraints apply to gaming just as much as anything else. Players should carefully consider how much they’re willing to invest in cozy gaming. Veteran gamers and people with powerful work computers will hardly have to invest in anything besides the cost of their new cozy game. Those who are totally new to gaming will have to decide how much they’re really willing to spend on this hobby.
• Aesthetic Design: Even once a platform is chosen, there’s still a lot to consider about each cozy game that’s available. Animal Crossing is a great example to follow, but the cozy game genre has expanded well beyond just farming and town building. When looking for a new cozy game to try, players should look for titles with relaxing music, adorable art, and simple yet rewarding gameplay.

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Most Popular Cozy Game Platforms

There’s still a lot to sift through for new players! To make things even easier for players new to cozy gaming, let’s focus on the three most popular platforms for cozy game titles. These are the most often recommended platforms:

• PC
• Switch
• Xbox

Most cozy gamers will want one of these three platforms, at least to start with.

Xbox Cozy Gaming

Xbox is one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time, though currently their library is spread across three different consoles: the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. All three of these consoles, however, come with Microsoft’s laudable subscription service, Game Pass. There are hundreds of games to play through Game Pass, which only costs $15 per month for console gamers. Even without Game Pass, players can get their hands on hundreds of indie games and cozy games during sales and events, with full-priced cozy games rarely being listed at more than $25. Plus, while the Xbox Series X is a pretty advanced console, the Series S cuts down on costs by removing the disc drive, while the Xbox One is even more affordable due to it being an older last-gen console.

Along with the vast affordability of Xbox gaming, players will find that it’s super easy to connect with friends online. Simply add a friend, join a voice chat party with a few button presses, and get to gaming together either in a co-op game like Minecraft or in more independent games such as The Sims. Sure, the other platforms also have online communication and match-making, but Xbox really makes it as easy as can be, which is a boon to especially fresh gamers.

The overall design of Xbox lends itself well to cozy gamers. Microsoft’s core wireless controller is one of the most ergonomic gaming accessories ever made, so much so that most other controllers look very similar in size, shape, and button layout. Additionally, the Xbox Series X acts as a top-of-the-line media player, able to display 4K quality from physical media and nearly every streaming app, including Crunchyroll, Paramount+, Netflix, and more.

Players looking to get an all-in-one gaming and media device that’s easy to set up and use should choose an Xbox console. In households with multiple gamers, it’s even more perfect thanks to its wide variety of games and effortless co-op play.

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Cozy Gaming on PC

For computer-savvy people, especially those who work in media creation or otherwise have intensive workloads, the PC is the most affordable option. Even those who are less familiar with powerful PCs can save quite a bit of money by cozy gaming on a computer.

There are few cons when gaming on a PC, but they’re important to identify and determine whether they’re deal-breakers. First and foremost, if a player doesn’t have a PC already, this is the most expensive platform, by many multiples compared to the Xbox or the Switch.

While there are some PCs available for around $500, it’s simply impossible to find one for $300, the list price of the Switch. Additionally, anyone who isn’t used to PCs will have a massive learning curve to overcome when getting into any kind of gaming, though cozy gaming is probably the easiest genre to start with.

As far as comfort goes, while there are lots of great, ergonomic gaming chairs available, most players will find that sitting on a PC chair is never going to be as comfortable as sitting on a couch or lying in bed. On top of this, most people who work from home enjoy having a separation from their work and personal lives. That’s tough to maintain if a person’s chosen hobby requires them to stay seated in front of the PC they’ve been working at all day.

However, anyone with a modern PC won’t run into most of these issues. In fact, it can actually be one of the most affordable options available to cozy gamers. There’s no need to use a controller on a PC, as the mouse and keyboard are perfectly acceptable (often even preferred) for gaming. Even if a player does want a controller, PC gamepads are usually much, much cheaper than other platforms.

On top of this, there are constant sales on any of the dozen major gaming services available on PC, such as Steam, Microsoft, Epic Games, GOG, and more. Some games are available for as little as $5, with the community-geared Humble Bundle constantly offering huge libraries of games for a fraction of their list price.

Cozy players specifically will love the PC gaming scene, as most indie developers can release their game on PC well before any other platform. These niche titles, along with every other title, come with their own communities gathering on Discord, Reddit, and tons of other apps and sites.

The ultimate beauty of gaming on PC is the fact that players are on a PC. They can look up guides, chat with others, have music in the background, and do just about anything a computer is capable of. Sure, some PC knowledge is needed to have an awesome gaming setup, but overall, PCs are simply much more capable than any other gaming platform, even if they cost three times as much.

Cozy Gaming on Switch

The Nintendo Switch blew up during the pandemic for a reason: it is one of the best gaming platforms ever created. The innovation of being able to play on a TV and then grab the Switch to play it like a Game Boy just about anywhere is still an incredible feat that no one else has been able to recreate.

The upfront cost of the Switch is extremely lucrative, with the Switch Lite offering an even lower price tag by sacrificing TV gaming. However, this small investment belies the truth of gaming on a Switch: the games are expensive. Nintendo is infamous for never giving steep discounts on their own games, and even most third-party titles miss out on discounts offered on other platforms. Additionally, the fun motion controls that come with the Switch, the Joy-Cons, are known for developing stick drift and cost quite a bit compared to other controllers, with no reliable third-party alternative. Players who want a decent screen for handheld mode will need to spend a bit more and get the Switch OLED, too.

Despite these shortcomings, the Switch proves to be an extremely versatile and user-friendly gaming device. In past years, cozy gamers were kind of left out in the cold by Nintendo, but ever since the Animal Crossing boom, more and more cozy games have seen day-one releases on the Switch. Most cozy gamers will also enjoy Nintendo’s mainline game series, such as Super Mario and Kirby games, which are always exclusive to Nintendo’s consoles.

Online is severely lacking on the Switch, with adding friends and joining games a bit of a nightmare every time. However, Nintendo’s Switch Online program has two different tiers to allow players to enjoy online competitions in games like Mario Kart 8 or revisit old favorites from the NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, and the Game Boy Advance, making the overall experience a bit better.

On the other hand, the Switch is perfect for parties. There are so many couch co-op games available on the Switch, most of which can be enjoyed by any age group, including a mix of ages. Each player can most often choose their favorite type of controller, as the Switch supports a wide variety of styles, from motion controls to fight pads. Playing in handheld mode is just as accommodating, with the Switch design featuring excellent ergonomics and tons of accessories available to further improve the grip of the Switch and Switch Lite consoles.

Between the extremely affordable asking price, the incredible versatility that allows players to game at home or on the go, and the vast library of indie, cozy, and AAA games, the Nintendo Switch is perfect for most cozy gamers. Players with children or a penchant for retro gaming will really get their money’s worth as they play through Nintendo’s classic game series. There are even a few streaming apps available to download on the Switch, making it easy to shift gears from cozy gaming to watching comfort shows.

Verdict

At the end of the day, the best way to play cozy games is with the Nintendo Switch, preferably on a couch surrounded by cute squishmallows, with plenty of snacks close at hand. The affordability can’t be beat and, if a player doesn’t want much else than to just jump into their favorite cozy game for hours on end, the Switch answers their call with few assumptions about the player. Plus, if gamers do want a bit more from their console, the Switch is ready to provide couch co-op, competitive gaming, and streaming to players from basically anywhere.

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