Summary
The Nintendo Switchis widely praised for its portability and convenience, making it a great choice for gaming while traveling. With a diverse selection ofengaging single-player and multiplayer titles, the Switch ensures hours of entertainment during users' downtime on long flights (or, at least, ensures a distraction from the cramped legroom and crying babies).
The following games are perfect for passing the time on long flights, as they don’t require an internet connection to play. Moreover, each game offers either endless gameplay or hours of immersive entertainment, ensuring players can stay captivated long after the flight ends.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3is an excellent game to play on long flights due to its immersive world and infamously captivating storyline. With its expansive environments and real-time combat system,Xenoblade Chronicles 3provides hours of entertainmentwhile keeping players engaged through deep and emotional character narratives.
The game’s soundtrack is a particular highlight and is definitely elevated with headphones (which are, of course, a staple for long-haul flights). Moreover, there are plenty of diverse activities and side quests that players can explore and undertake to keep occupied. Allowing players to explore its expansive world at their own pace is yet another reason why this iteration ofXenoblade Chroniclesis a perfect choice for passing the time on lengthy journeys.
LikeXenoblade Chronicles 3,Tears of the Kingdomoffers players the freedom to explore its beautiful, expansive world at their own pace. This open-ended approach invites creativity, allowing players to experiment with crafting andmake use of Link’s new abilities, such as Ultrahand and Fuse. Plus,Tears of the Kingdomis a great fit for an aerial journey, since it quite literally allows players to soar through the sky as Link while they soar through the sky themselves.
With intricate puzzles, dynamic combat, and various characters and creatures to encounter, new and oldZeldafans are guaranteed to stay entertained throughout their journeys. Additionally, like any greatZeldagame,Tears of the Kingdomdoesn’t disappoint with its story, adding even more depth and immersion to the experience.
It’s easy to see whyStardew Valleyis beloved by fans of cozy gaming, thanks to its charming pixel art, calming music, and simple yet rewarding gameplay. The game provides a relaxing and immersive experience with each in-game day lasting around 15 minutes in real-time, making it easy to enjoyStardew Valleyfor as little or as long as desired.
With activities ranging from farming and fishing to crafting and forming friendships,Stardew Valleyexcels in all the key elements of a farming simulator. Its intuitive mechanics, unique storylines, and addictive management systems elevate the experience, making it a standout in the genre.
An indie classic! At around 7 hours long,Undertaleis a fantastic, relatively short game that can easily be completed in a single flight (depending on the destination, of course). With quirky characters,a heartwarming story, and an abundance of puns, it’s a lighthearted yet engaging RPG that’s perfect for either binging or savoring, with frequent save points throughout.
Even without playing the game, listening toUndertale’s soundtrack can be incredibly captivating, as Toby Fox’s attention to detail shines through in his music, as well as in the art, concepts, and narrative. Playing handheld on the Nintendo Switch is a particularly strong vessel to playUndertale, as the game does not require overly complex button control… unless you try the genocide route.
5The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
Dive Into A Rich And Witchy Narrative Adventure
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhoodis a great option to play to pass the time on long flights if players want a truly rich and emotionally complex narrative experience. The game’s premise follows an exiled witch stranded on a floating island in space. As she strives to regain her freedom, reconnect with her coven, and hone her divination magic, she finds herself making a dangerous deal with a demon, adding layers of intrigue and conflict to her journey.
The game’s vibes remain consistently cozy, thanks to its slightly retro, illustrative art style, even with some darker themes woven throughout. Additionally, building the tarot deck serves as a creative and engaging experimental minigame, adding an extra layer of depth to the experience.
Super Mario RPGon the Switch is a perfect game for a long flight, offering a fun mix of classic Mario charm and engaging RPG mechanics. With its turn-based combat, quirky characters, and whimsical story, it provides hours of entertainment without being too complex.
The game’s lighthearted tone and colorful visuals make it easy to enjoy without it being emotionally taxing (unlikeThe Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood), while the accessible mechanics allow for more relaxed gameplay. Whether battling enemies or exploring the Mushroom Kingdom,Super Mario RPGis a great companion for passing the time.
7Suika Game
Endless And Addictive Gameplay
Suika Gameis an addictivearcade-style gamewith excellent replayability. Its simple concept of matching fruit to achieve higher scores makes time fly by surprisingly fast while keeping your mind engaged. The game is a great option for those who do not wish to commit to a narrative-driven experience but still want the immersion of gameplay.
The easy-to-pick-up gameplay helps distract from the monotony of long-haul flights, offering a fun way to stay occupied. Whether aiming for a high score or just enjoying casual play,Suika Gameprovides the perfect mix of entertainment and mental stimulation for your journey.
Layton’s Mystery Journeyon the Switch offers a great mix of intriguing puzzles and a captivating storyline. With over a hundred brain-teasing challenges, the game keeps players engaged while its charming art and quirky characters add a fun, lighthearted touch.
The episodic format makes it easy to enjoy in short bursts or to binge, and the simple saving and travel mechanics ensure it’s easy to jump in and out of without needing to return to a save point.Layton’s Mystery Journeydelivers hours of enjoyable, immersive gameplay.
For something with a little more spooky vibe,Luigi’s Mansion 3is a great option for extra-long flights. With around 13 hours of gameplay featuring captivating stages, unique environments, and thrilling boss battles, this adventure is ideal for picking up and passing the time.
Players take control of Luigi as he explores a haunted hotel, solving puzzles, capturing ghosts, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game’swhimsical art style, familiar characters, and lighthearted tone balance the spooky atmosphere, making it an enjoyable and immersive experience that’s easy to pick up during travel.
Pikmin 4is a fantastic choice to pass the time on long flights due to its inoffensive, lighthearted gameplay. The game offers a perfectblend of strategy and exploration, where players guide colorful Pikmin to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and explore vibrant environments.
Its charming art style, relaxed pace, and consistently rewarding progression keep players engaged without being too overwhelming or grind-focussed. If traveling with a friend,Pikmin 4has a split-screen multiplayer mode where players must race to grab as many treasures as possible before time runs out. This adds a competitive edge, making it a super fun way to pass the time and keep entertained throughout the flight.
