Your month‑by‑month guide to relaxing, exploring, and just having fun. If there’s a game not in the list, make sure to share it in the comments! 

January 2026 — Easing back into things

1. Mio: Memories in Orbit

Gameplay type: Atmospheric exploration platformer
Platforms: PS5, Xbox,Switch, PC (Steam)
Release Date: January 20, 2026

Start the year slow by exploring dreamy, quiet worlds. Solve light environmental puzzles, wander through glowing landscapes, and just let yourself breathe.

2. Bento Blocks

Gameplay type: Puzzle / food presentation
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: January 29, 2026

A wholesome puzzle game where culinary creativity meets brain-teasing fun. Slice, arrange, and perfect delicious lunch boxes at your own pace, discovering new recipes and challenges in every level—perfect for fans of relaxing yet satisfying puzzle games.

February 2026 — Island daydreams

3. Starsand Island

Gameplay type: Life sim / farming / social sim
Platforms: PS5, Xbox, Switch – no link yet /PC (Steam)
Release Date: February 1, 2026

Escape to Starsand Island, a tranquil paradise where you can farm, bond with animals, explore forests, and design your dream villa. Glide along beaches, sail to hidden islands, and enjoy a slow-paced, creative life—perfect for fans of Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley.

4. Boardwalk Builders

Gameplay type: Calm construction / management
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: February 9, 2026

Create a bustling seaside paradise from the ground up. Start with small stands and expand into a vibrant boardwalk filled with rides, shops, and restaurants. Choose from dozens of attractions, craft unique stores, and cater to visitors’ desires to boost your popularity—perfect for fans of RollerCoaster Tycoon and cozy management sims.

March–May 2026 — Summer vibes

March to May is our summer month, perfect for indoor play while the sun is blazing…

5. Pokémon Pokopia (Highly anticipated)

Gameplay type: Life sim / town‑building with Pokémon interaction

Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Release Date: March 5, 2026

Rebuild an island with Pokémon pals — Bulbasaur watering crops, Pikachu lighting workshops — perfect for indoor summer play. Only on Switch 2, making it a great “barkada buy” debate topic.

6. Coffee Talk Tokyo

Gameplay type: Narrative / café sim
Platforms: PC (Steam), *Consoles expected
Release Date: March 5, 2026

Coffee Talk invites players into a cozy café where humans and fantasy folk alike escape the summer heat. Brew the perfect drinks, listen to heartfelt stories over chill lo-fi beats, and experience Tokyo’s blend of old and new in this latest installment of the beloved franchise

7. Cat Isle

Gameplay type: Town‑building / light management
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: March 26, 2026

Check out this cozy pixel-art management game where you transform a tiny train platform island into a bustling town for cats. Inspired by Japan’s famous Cat Islands, it blends charming simulation with relaxing, cat-filled fun—think Stardew Valley meets a feline paradise.

8. Gecko Gods

Gameplay type: Gentle exploration
Platforms: Switch / PlayStation, PC (Steam)
Release Date: March 2026

A serene puzzle-adventure platformer that invites curiosity at every turn. Play as a tiny but clever gecko, exploring sunlit ruins, lush caves, and a forgotten archipelago. Glide between islands, solve gentle puzzles, and uncover the secrets of an ancient civilization at your own pace—echoing the exploration charm of Fez and the relaxed discovery of A Short Hike.

9. Fishbowl

Gameplay type: Narrative slice‑of‑life
Platforms: Playstation, PC (Steam)
Release Date: April 2026

A heartfelt visual novel about growing up, grief, and rediscovering childhood through a new lens. Guided by Paplet, a magical talking fish from her past, Alo navigates isolation and adult responsibilities, untangling memories to shape a brighter future—an emotional journey reminiscent of Spiritfarer’s gentle storytelling and Night in the Woods’ introspective charm.

10. Paralives

Gameplay type: Open‑ended life sim / sandbox builder
Platforms: PC (steam), Website Link: https://paralives.com/
Release Date: May 25, 2026

Step into a new life with Paralives, a sandbox life simulation that feels like a cozy blend of The Sims and Inzoi. Meet a lively cast of Townies, explore a vibrant open-world town, and shape your own home and story in this charming, immersive experience. 

June–December 2026 — Rainy months

June to September brings the rainy months — ideal for curling up with narrative adventures, puzzle games, or co‑op experiences while listening to the rain outside.

11.  Bubblegum Galaxy

Gameplay type: World‑building and design
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: December 31, 2026

Players take on the role of a Planet Architect, designing worlds tile by tile through a clever mix of strategy and puzzle-solving. Drawing comparisons to Dorfromantik and Mini Motorways, the game presents mission-based goals while introducing planets with unique rules and quirks that challenge players to adapt and build efficiently.

12. Collector’s Cove

Gameplay type: Seafaring farming / exploration
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: 2026

Set sail on a serene farming adventure in Collector’s Cove, where the open seas are yours to explore. Grow a floating farm, catch rare fish, and discover unique islands filled with exotic flora. Craft, personalize your ship, and fill your Collector’s Compendium as you aim to become the ultimate Named-Collector in this peaceful, enemy-free world. 

13. Hela

Gameplay type: Exploration / puzzle adventure
Platforms: Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
WebsiteLink: https://helagame.com/ 

Release Date: 2026

Play as a tiny mouse helping a kind witch through gentle puzzles and cozy exploration. The game has already built strong buzz after winning “Most Wholesome” and “Most Entertaining” at gamescom 2025 based on its demos and previews — making it one of the most anticipated cozy releases still waiting to launch.

14. Haunted Paws

Gameplay type: Co‑op spooky‑cute adventure
Platforms: PC (Steam)

Release Date: 2026

Team up with a friend in this cozy-spooky adventure where you play as adorable puppies! Explore mysterious environments, escape mischievous creatures, and solve engaging mysteries together. Dig, sniff, bark, and enjoy the playful life of your favorite dog breed in a heartwarming, fun-filled co-op experience. 

15. Spirit Crossing

Gameplay type: Community‑focused life sim / co‑op
Platforms: PC (Steam)

Release Date: 2026

Step into the storm-swept Crosslands, a shared world that blends cozy social play with light exploration. Echoing the communal warmth of Sky: Children of the Light and the gentle freedom of Animal Crossing, the game encourages players to build a home, share simple joys like fishing or music, and form meaningful connections through kindness and everyday moments.

16. Wish Upon a Llama

Gameplay type: Life-sim & Animal Raising RPG
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: 2026

A cozy RPG where you raise, breed, and care for lovable animals in Llama Town. Discover 50+ unique breeds through inherited traits, explore the countryside together on walks, and cook hearty meals to keep your animals happy and thriving.

17. Witchbrook

Gameplay type: Simulation, RPG
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: 2026

A cozy magical life-sim where you attend a school for witches, craft potions, explore, and build friendships—like Stardew Valley meets a mystical Hogwarts.

18. Bloody Hell Hotel

Gameplay type: Simulation, RPG, Hotel Management
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: 2026

A quirky management sim where you run a chaotic hotel full of eccentric guests and bizarre events. Think Two Point Hospital meets dark comedy, balancing resource management with unpredictable, hilarious chaos.

19. Usagi Shima: Bunny Island

Gameplay type: Collector, Casual
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: 2026

A relaxing idle sim where you transform an abandoned island into a cozy paradise for adorable bunnies. Decorate, collect bunnies, and enjoy a calm, whimsical life at your own pace—perfect for fans of cute, stress-free simulation games.

20. Trade Tales

Gameplay type: Life & Farming Sim
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Date: 2026

A cozy simulation and strategy game by a Filipino developer, letting you run your own shop, craft goods, and trade with a lively town of quirky characters. Balancing supply, demand, and relationships, it blends Stardew Valley-style crafting with light, story-driven management gameplay.

With so many cozy games lined up for 2026, it’s shaping up to be a year full of quiet adventures, gentle mysteries, and comforting routines you can sink into at your own pace. Whether you’re tending farms, uncovering small-town secrets, solving puzzles, or just decorating the coziest space imaginable, there’s always something to look forward to. And while we’re all excited for what’s coming next, it’s also a great time to revisit the cozy games we picked up in 2025 — especially with fresh updates, seasonal events, and new content dropping along the way. All in all, 2026 is set to be an exciting year for cozy gaming, filled with new puzzles to solve, new mysteries to uncover, and plenty of farms, towns, and worlds waiting to feel like home.