Winter has come. And while a nice cup of hot chocolate and a comfortable blanket are the go-to solutions for warming up the ensuing long, dark, cold winter days, these cozy games may also be the soft and sweet remedy you are looking for.
Whether you are playing by yourself or enjoying the winter holidays with your family, these video games are enveloped in a relaxing, homey vibe that provides the ideal virtual escape during the cold season. So recline back in your oversized chair while wearing your oversized winter pyjamas and enjoy playing through these five cozy games to keep your spirits high when the temperature is low.
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons, The Classic Cozy Winter Game
Playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons in the winter is always a magical experience. Your island’s snow-covered landscape and glowing pine trees give the game a charming, festive spirit that perfectly matches the mood of the holidays and the surrounding wintry season.
And besides, few other games capture the sense of coziness quite like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Collecting bugs, chatting to villagers, and gradually moulding your island into your image is just some of the ways you can slowly pass the time in this much beloved Nintendo classic.
2. A Short Hike, A Relaxing Indie Climb
The cold winter weather often forces you to spend more time indoors than you’d prefer, meaning cabin fever can quickly settle in. That’s why playing a game like A Short Hike can feel so refreshing this time of year.
In this endearing indie game, you get to explore the freedom of the outdoors from the comfort of your bedroom or living room. And “freedom” really is the keyword here. A Short Hike allows you to explore its gorgeous pixelated world however you want, in whatever direction you want, and you can almost feel the fresh, mountainous air blowing through the screen.
3. Unpacking, For Sweet And Satisfying Organising
The cold season is a good time of the year to organise things around your house. Of course, if you want to scratch this itch a bit more, you could always do some sorting in a video game. And when it comes to organisational games that also have a cozy vibe, you can’t go past the Australian indie smash Unpacking.
This game sees you, well, unpacking moving boxes and placing their belongings into the rooms of various homes across a person’s life. It’s incredibly satisfying sorting through all the items and finding a home for them in a way that expresses your personality and tastes. The ideal game to pass an afternoon on a frosty winter’s day.
4. Log Away, A Slow-Paced Cozy Cabin-Builder
Log Away gives you the opportunity to live out the fantasy of creating your own cozy remote cabin without having to have any building experience of your own. You can design, furnish, and customise your cabin however you wish, crafting whatever a perfect getaway retreat looks like for you.
Best of all, Log Away lets you build your cabin at your own pace without any time limits or quest restrictions. All you need to worry about is getting immersed in the game’s picturesque scenery and letting your imagination run wild.
5. Coffee Talk, A Cozy Narrative to Warm Up With
One of the best parts about winter is getting to enjoy a nice hot drink, ideally while deep in conversation with friends and family. Coffee Talk ticks both of these boxes—allowing you to play as a barista in a fantastical Seattle, making hot drinks for customers who always have an interesting story to tell.
With gorgeous artwork, a chill lo-fi soundtrack, and heartfelt writing, Coffee Talk is an easy game to cozy up with during the winter season if you’re looking for a touching narrative experience.
Winter is a wonderful time of the year for many reasons, and with these cozy video games, the cold season may feel just that bit warmer.
The Cozy Conclusion…
As Winter 2026 rolls on and the nights grow longer, cozy games are such a sweet way to spend time inside. A comfortable way to enjoy a little holiday fun without catching a chill. And if you’ve already played through these, kudos, and there’s even more to play, like the games on our list of the best games for cozy co-op or couch competitions this winter.