Spring break is the perfect time to wind back and forget about your studies for a week. Some go home to spend the week with their families, others may embark on a road trip out camping or stay somewhere nice like a hotel resort.

As for me, I found myself at home with my family. However, this time also allowed me to play some video games as I wound down and found solace in the world and characters of those games. 

These are five games that I recommend playing after I’ve played them myself during spring break. These games range between a number of platforms such as Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile devices.

Stardew Valley

“Stardew Valley” is definitely a game for those into life simulator games such as “Animal Crossing” or “Harvest Moon.” If you don’t own a Nintendo console for “Animal Crossing,” then you’ll find that “Stardew Valley” is the perfect alternative.

In the game, you play as an individual hoping to escape from their boring day-to-day office job. In a letter from your late grandfather, you find that you’ve inherited a plot of farmland from him in Stardew Valley.

Within no time, you find yourself in Stardew Valley. There you can chat with and help the locals, explore numerous territories, farm and grow crops on your plot.

I personally have been playing “Stardew Valley” ever since I got my Nintendo Switch. It’s a relaxing and charming game that I’ve always enjoyed more than “Animal Crossing.” 

Farming is very easy to understand and do in the game as you’re provided with all the tools you need at the very start. Over time, you’ll be living a secondary life of your own in the valley.

“Stardew Valley” can be purchased on consoles, on PC via Steam and on mobile devices through the app store for $14.99. 

Metroid Prime Remastered

“Metroid” is definitely one of Nintendo’s underdog franchises, despite the most recent game in the series being released in 2021. However, the 2002 GameCube title “Metroid Prime” saw a remaster on the Nintendo Switch and it’s definitely a blast.

The game follows the galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran as she explores the planet Tallon IV, fighting Space Pirates and other numerous threats on the planet. 

Throughout the game, the player controls Samus to learn more about the numerous areas of Tallon IV. Throughout her voyage, Samus gains multiple power-ups for her suit to better defend herself and traverse the planet the deeper she goes. 

The game is a single-player first-person shooter and is without a doubt the height of the “Metroid” series. I found each enemy and boss encounter to be much more tense and exciting because of the choice of making the game first-person. Tallon IV is also a very diverse and mysterious location to explore and learn more about.

The game is available right now only on Nintendo Switch and is relatively cheap at only $39.99. 

Pizza Tower

I’ve already played “Pizza Tower” and the game is such a blast that I so badly wanted to fully complete the game 100%.

The game is a fast-paced 2D platformer inspired by video games and cartoons of the ‘80s and ‘90s. It stars a pizzeria owner named Peppino Spaghetti who embarks on a mission through the aforementioned Pizza Tower to stop an evil pizza entity from blowing up this pizzeria. 

The player takes control of Peppino through five different floors of terror and must traverse through numerous levels on each floor using an array of abilities at his disposal.

The game is very fast and challenging. Each level comes with its own obstacles as well as a gimmick to make each one stand out from one another. At the end of each floor, you fight a boss that offers their own trials and tribulations.

“Pizza Tower” has definitely become one of my favorite games of recent years and I can’t recommend it enough.

Unfortunately, it’s only available on PC through Steam for $19.99. However, there’s always hope for a console release down the line.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

“Mario Kart” is a staple of games to play with friends and family. 

I found myself playing “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” with friends online and we had a lot of fun. The game features eight to twelve racers in an online race allowing pure chaos to ensue on the track. I found myself playing “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” mainly thanks to something called the Booster Course Pass. 

The Booster Course Pass serves as DLC for the game releasing across multiple waves of new tracks to race throughout the year. Right now, the pass is at Wave 4 and even includes a new character not present in the base game. 

“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is easily a recommendation from me on the Nintendo Switch for $59.99 plus $24.99 for the Booster Course Pass. 

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Very rarely does Mario’s little brother Luigi get the spotlight in a video game of his own. The green-clad plumber’s first big outing was the 2001 GameCube title “Luigi’s Mansion,” which has since received two sequels.

“Luigi’s Mansion 3” shakes up the series by taking place in a hotel, or a mansion disguised as a hotel, to be more accurate. Regardless of the location, the game follows Luigi trekking through the haunted structure in search of Mario and his friends. In order to do so, he must fight off numerous ghastly apparitions with his trusty Poltegust vacuum.

I’ve always found the “Luigi’s Mansion” series to be very charming and spooky in a PG way. 

Many of the ghosts have their own unique designs and personalities, from a bumbling security guard ghost to my personal favorite, the exaggerative film director ghost. 

Luigi as a character in this game is also full of life and contains a relatable mindset as someone scared out of his mind but still determined to rescue his brother from the absurd evils of the hotel.

“Luigi’s Mansion 3” is quite a thrill to play, especially if you love anything spooky. The game can be bought on Nintendo Switch for  $59.99.