Audrey Bowers, Butler University

Your villagers miss you.

Janey Schmidt, Columbia College Chicago

In light of the success of Stray, here are several other solo story games for your gaming pleasure.

Peyton Conner, Indiana University

The accessibility of electronic entertainment like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley has expanded what it means to be a member of the gaming community.

Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

Dust off your Switches! The recently announced Version 2.0 of the beloved video game promises everything players have been waiting for.

Diamond Sears-Allen, Borough of Manhattan Community College

New design options and seasonal items make the charming Nintendo game more exciting to play now than ever before.

Drew Goretzka, Michigan State University

The pandemic has provided a crash course in tech literacy, forcing much of the world to connect in ways they would’ve never thought of. Can we still use everything we’ve learned once things go back to the way they used to be?

Diamond Sears-Allen, Borough of Manhattan Community College

The game gives players the freedom to choose their own means of enjoyment, be it completing events and minigames or simply tending to their farms at a relaxed pace.

Diamond Sears-Allen, Borough of Manhattan Community College

Throw your feathers and shake your tail for the return of the game’s colorful party in February and an Amiibo Card pack re-release in March.

Alex Luna, University of California, Berkeley

As the portable console enters its fourth year, its popularity is only skyrocketing, so we’re counting down the best games it has to offer.

Katherine Brand, University of Michigan

These options promote a quiet, wholesome lifestyle and an escape from reality that has been difficult to find during the pandemic.

Mirella Gonzales, Texas Tech University

Say goodbye to any spare time you had left because Club Penguin Rewritten is the perfect recreation of your favorite childhood game.

Janani Mangai Srinivasan, Wake Forest University

Seemingly simple and repetitive open-ended games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing can positively influence your mental health.

Janella Tibbetts, Framingham State University

First appearing almost 20 years ago, the franchise is back with a new game that has all of the fun of its predecessors.

Lisa Lilianstrom, Northern Illinois University

The best part? These little known video games won’t cost you much to play. Some of them are even free.

Maui Smith, University of Pittsburgh

This childhood series remains important to its older fanbase ahead of the release of a new game.

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

The game’s surprise announcement at E3 blew Nintendo fans away.

Casey LaValley, Ferris State University

Because 2019 just got a whole lot more wholesome.

Ben Seidel, St. Olaf College

Who knew Nintendo’s quirky life simulation game could help you deal with impeding student debt?