In my opinion, farming sims are perfect for the Nintendo Switch because they fit both quick sessions on the go and longer, relaxed play at home. Nintendo Switch farming sims can travel with you anywhere: on vacation, a long commute to work, stressful medical appointments, or just longing around in bed. They don’t take that much concentration and can be paused easily. This makes farming sims the perfect portable gaming genre.
Sure, you can play farming sims on Steam using Steam Deck, but that tends to have a higher cost and might be out of some folks’ budgets. Plus, Nintendo Switch is more colorful, robust, and family friendly if you aren’t the only gamer in your household.
Here are some of my favorite farming sims on Nintendo Switch. I’ve bought, tried, and played them all (and more), so you can count on an honest assessment of each one.
1. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is basically about leaving your boring city job to run a little farm. You plant crops, take care of animals, and dig around in caves for cool stuff. You also get to meet the people in town and hang out with them, maybe even start a relationship. It’s really chill and easy to get lost in, kind of like living a slow, cozy life on your own little patch of land.
Key Features:
- Grow crops and raise animals on your farm
- Explore caves for resources and hidden treasures
- Build friendships and relationships with townsfolk
- Customize and upgrade your farmhouse and tools
- Enjoy seasonal events and community festivals
2. Rune Factory 4 Special
Rune Factory 4 Special is a mix of farming and adventure where you play as a young hero who wakes up in a strange town with no memory. You grow crops, raise monsters, and fight creatures in dungeons while slowly uncovering the town’s secrets. Along the way, you get to know the townspeople, form friendships, and even pursue romance. The game balances daily farm life with exciting battles, making it easy to get lost in its world for hours.
Key Features:
- Farm crops and raise monsters for help
- Battle monsters in dungeons and gain loot
- Build relationships and romance townspeople
- Upgrade weapons, armor, and farm tools
- Participate in festivals and seasonal events
3. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a magical farming and RPG adventure set in the eastern land of Azuma after the Celestial Collapse, when the gods lost their powers and vanished. You play as an Earth Dancer tasked with restoring life and joy to fractured villages while exploring dungeons, gathering resources, and building your own communities. The game blends cozy farm life and strategic combat, making it a perfect fit for those who love a bit of fight in their chill games.
Key Features:
- Farm crops and raise animals across multiple villages
- Explore dungeons with strategic combat and divine tools
- Build friendships and pursue romances with NPCs
- Manage villages, assign tasks, and expand farmland
- Discover lore, complete quests, and restore the gods’ powers
4. Summer in Mara
Summer in Mara is a relaxing adventure where you play as Koa, a young girl exploring a vibrant tropical archipelago. You manage your own island, grow crops, care for animals, and craft useful items while discovering new islands and helping the locals. Along the way, you meet colorful characters, build friendships, and uncover the mysteries of the seas. The game combines cozy island life with light exploration and environmental storytelling, making it easy to get lost in its world.
Key Features:
- Grow crops and care for animals on your island
- Explore islands and discover hidden secrets
- Craft items and upgrade your tools
- Build friendships with the island’s inhabitants
- Complete quests and uncover environmental stories
5. Roots of Pacha
Roots of Pacha is a cozy farming and village-building game set in the Stone Age, where you help your tribe thrive and grow. You plant crops, domesticate animals, and gather resources while shaping your village and uncovering ancient mysteries. Along the way, you meet tribe members, form bonds, and make choices that affect your community. The game mixes simple daily life with a charming prehistoric world, making it easy to get lost in its rhythm and creativity.
Key Features:
- Grow crops and care for prehistoric animals
- Gather resources and build your village
- Form bonds with tribe members and friends
- Unlock tools and craft new items
- Explore ancient mysteries and prehistoric landscapes
6. Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a bright and cheerful farming game where you run your own farm and help revitalize a bustling town marketplace. You plant crops, raise animals, and trade goods to earn money while improving your farm and town. Along the way, you meet townspeople, build friendships, and even find romance. The game blends farm life with market management, making it easy to get lost in its colorful, lively world.
Key Features:
- Plant crops and raise a variety of animals
- Trade goods and manage the bustling marketplace
- Build friendships and romance townspeople
- Upgrade your farm and expand your farmstead
- Participate in seasonal events and town festivals
7. Sun Haven
Sun Haven is a cozy farming and RPG game set in a magical world where you can play as a human, elf, or other fantastical races. You grow crops, raise animals, and explore dungeons while completing quests and discovering secrets across the land. Along the way, you meet villagers, build friendships, and even pursue romance. The game blends everyday farm life with magical adventures, making it easy to get lost in its charming, colorful world.
Key Features:
- Farm crops and raise magical creatures
- Explore dungeons and complete quests
- Build friendships and romance villagers
- Craft tools, weapons, and magical items
- Participate in seasonal events and festivals
8. Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is a charming farming game where you move to a small town to rebuild and grow your own farm from scratch. You plant crops, raise animals, and expand your farm while improving the town and helping neighbors. Along the way, you meet townspeople, form friendships, and even explore romance options. The game mixes relaxing farm life with town-building and exploration, making it easy to get lost in its warm, inviting world.
Key Features:
- Plant crops and raise a variety of animals
- Expand your farm and upgrade buildings
- Build friendships and romance townspeople
- Participate in town events and festivals
- Explore surrounding areas for resources and secrets
9. Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a cozy farming game where you take over your grandfather’s farm and bring it back to life. You plant crops, care for animals, and work to make the farm and town thrive. Along the way, you meet townspeople, build friendships, and even find romance. The game combines relaxing farm life with small-town charm, making it easy to get lost in its warm, inviting world.
Key Features:
- Plant crops and care for various animals
- Upgrade your farm and farm buildings
- Build friendships and romance townspeople
- Participate in town events and festivals
- Explore the surrounding areas for resources
10. Everdream Valley
Everdream Valley is a cozy life-sim where you move into a magical town filled with quirky villagers and hidden secrets. You grow crops, care for animals, and decorate your home while exploring the town and completing fun activities. Along the way, you meet colorful characters, build friendships, and discover their unique stories. The game blends everyday life with whimsical charm, making it easy to get lost in its bright, relaxing world.
Key Features:
- Plant crops and care for adorable animals
- Explore the town and complete fun activities
- Build friendships and uncover villagers’ stories
- Decorate and upgrade your home and farm
- Participate in seasonal events and town celebrations
11. Harvest Moon 64 [Nintendo Switch Online]
Harvest Moon 64 was once locked to the Nintendo 64, but you can play it on Nintendo Switch with Nintendo Switch Online access!
Harvest Moon 64 is a classic farming game where you take over a neglected farm and work to make it thrive. You plant crops, raise animals, and expand your farm while managing your time and resources carefully. Along the way, you meet townspeople, build friendships, and even explore romance. The game mixes simple, relaxing farm life with small-town charm, making it easy to get lost in its nostalgic, peaceful world.
Key Features:
- Plant crops and care for various farm animals
- Expand and upgrade your farm buildings
- Build friendships and romance townspeople
- Participate in seasonal events and festivals
- Manage time and resources for daily tasks
12. Harvestella
Harvestella is a unique blend of action-adventure and farming sim set in a world split into four season-themed towns. You farm crops, tend animals, and craft items, but most of your time is spent exploring dungeons and battling creatures to progress the story. Along the way, you meet a wide cast of characters, help them with side quests, and uncover personal stories that add depth and emotion. The game mixes cozy elements like farming and seasonal towns with JRPG-style combat.
Key Features:
- Experience seasonal towns and story-driven quests
- Farm crops and tend animals across varied terrains
- Explore dungeons and battle creatures with simple combat
- Build friendships and uncover characters’ personal stories
- Craft items and upgrade your farm and equipment
Other Farming Sims on Nintendo Switch
Here are some additional farming games on Nintendo Switch that…well, they definitely exist! I wanted to mention them because I trust you, readers, to make your own choices about the games you buy. But I didn’t particularly like any of these ones. I’ll link my full reviews where I have them:
- Fae Farm – Boring, soulless, but is indeed a farming sim on Switch
- Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life – A remake of the classic that just didn’t hit for me
- Harvest Moon: Winds of Anthos – Open world, empty map
- Tales of the Shire – A cozy game that could use some polish
Plus: 4 Nintendo Switch Farming Sim Adjacent Titles
Okay, some of these aren’t 100% farming sim material or just have farming as a small part of a larger game, but they are still great. I think farming sim lovers will appreciate these Nintendo Switch titles, as well.
- Fantasy Life i: Girl Who Steals Time: You can farm, but mostly you will be levelling up classes, exploring broad maps reminiscent of Breath of the Wild, and luring wanderers back to your home camp. A lot of farm simmers like this franchise.
- My Time at Sandrock: More about crafting and building than farming, Sandrock will eventually let you raise a few animals and grow the occasional produce. This and My Time at Portia are recommended a lot in the farming sims community as an adjacent interest.
- Littlewood: There is some farming (trees, crops, animals), but it’s mostly about gathering, building, unlocking, and arranging. A lot of Stardew Valley fans find this game and love it for the pixel graphics and community-builder vibes.
- Moonstone Island: This creature collector/card battler has some farming elements, but it’s not the main draw. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes deep exploration orbiting around a cozy homebase.
Stay cozy, gamers!
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