Games don't necessarily have to be unexpected and mind blowing 100 percent of the time.
Granted, that's where many of us find our favorite moments in games, but sometimes you just want to kick back, relax, and play something that feels comfortable, maybe even a little repetitive.
Grinding is often used as a negative term, but sometimes it's just what you need when you want to let your mind wander. Here are the most satisfying games to grind on the Nintendo Switch!
10. Moonlighter
In the day time, you're a humble shopkeeper, peddling wares to the locals. Then night comes and you head to the dungeon to procure more of those wares, increasing your personal bankroll and the overall state of the town as you do so.
9. Cat Quest II
In most realities, a game like Cat Quest II would be a cheap mobile cash-in relying on cats' inherent cuteness to mask an otherwise terrible game. But Cat Quest II is a surprisingly deep but accessible RPG that becomes increasingly difficult to put down the more you play!
8. Lapis x Labyrinth
Imagine someone throwing coins and jewels at you nearly continuously. That's Lapis x Labyrinth. Somehow the developer managed to fit a game in there too.
The fact that the game is fun to play is almost secondary to the sensory overload of loot you're showered with.
7. Dragon Marked for Death
Dragon Marked for Death is like a combination of a 2D Monster Hunter game and the Mega Man Zero series. That means it's tough as nails but extremely satisfying. Perfecting runs through levels to try to grab that elusive piece of gear doesn't get old.
6. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Take one part Diablo, add another part Diablo, add a pinch of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, then add a whole bucketload of superheroes. That's Marvel Ultimate Alliance. This doesn't match previous entries in the series but it's still grind-y good time.
5. Octopath Traveler
At first glance, Octopath Traveler seems like a gorgeous throwback to the RPGs of old. That's what it seems like on the second and third glance too, because that's what it is.
You'll need to do a fair amount of level grinding to step up to the next chapter of each character's story, but fortunately the combat system is so good you won't mind.
4. Starlink: Battle for Atlas
Starlink: Battle for Atlas is a multi-platform game, but the bonus Starfox content makes this the version to buy.
The game features Ubisoft's familiar open-world format combined with the grinding and exploration aspects of No Man's Sky, making it a great game to play for, well, a very long time.
3. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
The Monster Hunter franchise is at one a skill-based multiplayer boss rush and one of the biggest grinds in modern gaming.
Fortunately, it's so fun to play that you won't mind hunting the same monster over and over to get that last part you need to upgrade your bowgun.
2. Warframe
We already included Warframe on our list of wonderfully grind-tastic games for the PlayStation 4, and for good reason.
This is the same game, only in addition to playing on your TV, you can also pick it up and take it on the go with you, making it possibly an even better choice on the Switch.
1. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
There's a lot to do in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, even if all you want to do is finish the main story. That in itself doesn't entail much grinding. If you want to collect the game's powerful Blades though, you'll be grinding a fair amount.
The Longest Nintendo Switch Games
Relaxing and letting your mind wander isn't the only thing that grinding in games is good for. Sometimes you just want to ignore the outside world and lose yourself in a game.
If you want to do that, no matter where you are, take a look at our list of the longest Nintendo Switch games worth playing:
