The Nintendo Switch eShop is a treasure trove of games from the most beloved genres, which include RPG and adventure titles. But aside from featuring massively popular games, the Switch is also home to many cooking titles that have stressful, but fun, time-management aspects.
Cooking titles don’t deserve to be overlooked just because they’re not as multifaceted and dynamic as some of the more popular adventure games. From realistic cooking simulators to high-pressure multiplayer titles, there’s no shortage of great cooking games on the Switch that players should check out. Any one of the best cooking titles could serve as an entry point to the underrated genre!
Sushi Time (2019)
Sushi Time is reminiscent of the nostalgic flash games played on the humble browser so many years ago. In the game, players are tasked with managing a sushi bar and making sure that their customers are satisfied by delivering orders correctly and on time.
The game mechanics are pretty straightforward and there’s no solid storyline, making Sushi Time the perfect companion for gamers who want time to quickly . With more than 60 levels to conquer and 50 types of sushi to uncover, players are in for a tasty gastronomic adventure with Sushi Time.
Cannibal Cuisine (2020)
Cannibal Cuisine is Overcooked’s more disturbing and gruesome counterpart. The gameplay borrows heavily from the Overcooked series, although Cannibal Cuisine doesn’t require the players to prepare ingredients.
All the players need to do to satisfy the demands of their hungry customers is to slice up some tourists and put the collected body parts on a grill to cook. Accommodating up to four players, Cannibal Cuisine is the perfect game night activity for those who have a slightly twisted sense of humor.
Cooking Mama: Cookstar (2020)
The sixth installment in the Cooking Mama series, Cookstar, retains most of the series’ main elements. In the game, the eponymous Mama guides the players through the process of preparing various dishes from seafood curry to Thai rolled ice cream.
Every step in preparing the dish is a timed mini-game, and how players perform in each particular step will contribute to the overall rating of the dish. Besides featuring straightforward mini-games and scrumptious recipes, Cookstar also allows players to plate and take a photo of their creations, which they can then share on their social media pages.
Overcooked (2016)
The Switch’s Joy-Cons make it possible to play together with friends and loved ones. Gamers who are looking to introduce a little chaos in their lives should try the Overcooked series. The gameplay of every Overcooked title is simple: a team of one to four players is tasked with preparing, cooking, and serving various dishes before customers get impatient and walk out of the restaurant.
This co-op game requires each player to work together by communicating properly and strategizing. Teams who can’t keep up with the demands of the customers will most likely end up having a screaming match, due to the intense pressure of the game. Despite this, the title has received a lot of praise and is often considered one of the best nonviolent video games.
Inbento (2019)
Fans of casual puzzle games should add Inbento to their Nintendo eShop wishlist. Developed by Afterburn, a tiny game development studio based in Poland, Inbento is a fun game that meshes great puzzle mechanics with cute cartoony visuals.
The game also features a cute story about cats and parenthood that progresses as players work through the various puzzles. To finish a puzzle, players need to reproduce specific pictures by placing items into a bento box, which then gets more challenging as players go through over 100 puzzles. Inbento feels like it’s been specifically made for the Switch, as it plays well with both the touchscreen and joystick.
Cafeteria Nipponica (2012)
Japanese game developer Kairosoft is known for its isometric pixel art style and deeply-layered simulation games. In Cafeteria Nipponica, these game aspects are pretty evident, as players are thrown into an 8-bit world where they're in charge of running a restaurant. The popular game has been out since 2012 for Android and iOS operating systems, but it has recently been adapted for the Switch, along with other Kairosoft titles.
To manage the restaurant, players have to hire cooks and servers, as well as figure out what dishes to serve. Gamers who appreciate titles that play out slowly will find a lot of enjoyment in Cafeteria Nipponica, as the gameplay only starts picking up by the third or fourth year in the game.
Pokémon Cafe Mix (2020)
The Detective Pikachu. Of course, there’s also bound to be a cooking game in the franchise’s huge repertoire. In Pokémon Cafe Mix, players are responsible for running a cafe where Pokémon can make various dishes, drinks, and deserts.
Cafe Mix is essentially a matching icon puzzle game. By partnering icons with their matches, players can finish puzzles and unlock other parts of the cafe. With its cutesy art style and simple mechanics, Cafe Mix provides respite for gamers who need a break from playing story-driven Pokémon titles.
Battle Chef Brigade (2017)
At first glance, Battle Chef Brigade looks like an action-heavy RPG platformer. However, at the heart of this game is a surprisingly moving story about valiant warrior-chefs who will do everything in their power to protect their people.
The game thrusts players into the region of Victusia, which is a realm that’s littered with well-designed monsters. As a member of the elite Battle Chef Brigade, players are tasked with taking down enemies and turning their remains into delicious dishes. With a short, but thrilling, storyline, Battle Chef Brigade is an RPG cooking game that’s worth playing for those who love action and adventure.
Automachef (2019)
Created by Denmark-based game studio Hermes Interactive, Automachef is one of the most underrated indie video games that deserve more attention. In the game, players manage restaurants that heavily use robots and automation. By arranging the robots and machines around the kitchen, players can meet the demands of the restaurant’s futuristic customers.
Automachef is a really amusing game, especially for those who enjoy titles with similar gameplay mechanics, like Alan's Automaton Workshop and Conveyance. Through their quick puzzle-solving skills, gamers can ensure that the restaurant remains efficient and that the customers’ food is prepared in the right order.
Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! (2020)
The third title in the Cook, Serve, Delicious! series takes the franchise to another level. Just like the first two installments, Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! asks players to build a successful burger empire from scratch. However, the game is significantly more narrative-driven than the previous titles.
Set in 2042 America where robotic sous chefs exist, the game is a fun treat for gamers that want an amusingly wacky restaurant simulator title. If the game gets too stressful, players can call a friend since the title s co-op.