If you’re a fan of dating games, we have some exciting news for you, as we ventured out into the lovey-dovey wilderness to bring you a list of some of the best dating games on Switch and mobile. Some are visual novels, one involves dungeon crawling, and they all feature decision-making, so you’d best consider carefully what you say to get the romantic partner of your dreams.
Should dating games give you the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ feeling, perhaps our lists of the best games like The Witcher 3, games like Skyrim, games like Hades, best Zelda games, best Final Fantasy games, and best Sonic games will be more to your liking.
Without further ado, let’s look for love with our list of the best dating games on Switch and mobile.
The Sims – mobile
Okay, we all know The Sims, and chances are you’ve played at least one of the many games in the series. Is it a dating simulator? No, but it’s a life sim, which does involve a lot of dating, so it makes our list of dating games. In fact, you can go beyond that. You can do the whole marriage and family thing, or be a real Casanova and work your way around the neighborhood.
A bit of advice, if you do get caught getting up to no good, give them a couple of seconds to calm down, then initiate some angry woo-woo, and make them forget why they were so mad in the first place.
Arcade Spirits – Switch
Have you ever wanted to be the star of your own romantic comedy? How about being the star of a novel? If the answer is yes to both of those things, boy, are you in for a treat with Arcade Spirits.
It’s a rom-com in the form of a visual novel, and it takes place in an old-style arcade. You’re the new staff member, and a couple of regulars catch your eyes, as do some of your coworkers. They say never to mix business and pleasure, but hey, you do you, perhaps you like a little drama in your life.
Arcade Spirits Arcade Spirits $19.99 Buy it here! Network N earns affiliate commission from qualifying sales
Dream Daddy – Switch
Being a single parent is tough, and the dating game certainly isn’t easy – or at least, that’s what people say. In Dream Daddy, you get to prove that actually, single dads can have it all. To begin with, you select one of seven different fathers to traverse this visual novel with. The game begins with you moving to a cul-de-sac with your young daughter, then lo and behold, it’s full of single fathers.
Dream Daddy features several eligible dads, all of whom have different personalities. Bear in mind, your choices matter, as the game has different endings for you to explore.
Dream Daddy Dream Daddy $14.99 Buy it here! Network N earns affiliate commission from qualifying sales
Love Sick – mobile
Love Sick is one of those dating games that relies heavily on the decisions you make, so you know that you’re in for a different experience each time you step into this world of love. More than that, you get to choose the genre of the story you embark on – thriller, fantasy, suspense, shifter, paranormal, and more. Can’t help but wonder what it might be like to date a ghost.
Anyway, you get to fully customize your character, and dress them up with a range of outfits, some of which might have an impact on those around you. Each chapter involves different decisions, all of which can affect where the story goes. However, no matter what, this is your story.
Later Daters – Switch and mobile
Love isn’t just for the young in Later Daters, the only entry on our list of dating games that takes place in a retirement home. At the start of this game, you create your own character before arriving at Ye OLDE retirement community. It might not look like it, but this is the equivalent of Love Island for the seniors who also call the place home.
With eight different residents to flirt with and a couple of pets thrown in the mix for good measure, there’s a real wholesome vibe about Later Daters. However, it’s not all wholesome, and things can get a little steamy if you successfully seduce your favorite geriatric. There’s a sentence I never thought I’d type.
Monster Prom XXL – Switch
The dating pool seems a little empty these days, so why not branch out and have a go at some monsters instead. Monster Prom is a 2D narrative dating sim that puts you in the shoes of a student at Spooky High, home to six eligible monsters for you to romance. Better yet, the game doesn’t limit you to a single-gender with straight romantic options. Instead, the game is inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, allowing you to select gender, pronouns, and pursue any love interest.
The narrative spans six weeks, and it’s up to you to decide how you wish to spend this time. Do you focus on a single love interest and spend all your time with them, or do you get to know all prospective romantic partners? Either way, it culminates in your prom, but do be aware, certain decisions can affect how characters perceive you. Whatever happens, we hope this ends in a monster smash.
Monster Prom: XXL Monster Prom: XXL $15.99 Buy it here! Network N earns affiliate commission from qualifying sales
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! – Switch
Ugh, enough of the mushy gushy lovey-dovey stuff. It’s time for a darker story that has some grit on our list of dating games. The game starts out like any other visual novel in the genre. You’re a school student that can gush about their crush. All seems well, like your average high school love story, except then it’s not. Boom, all of a sudden, you’re thrown into psychological horror, and frankly, it’s a great time.
If you’re after a good dating game, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! is the place to be. As usual, you need to make some impactful decisions, all of which determine the end of your story.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! $14.99 Buy it here! Network N earns affiliate commission from qualifying sales
Boyfriend Dungeon – Switch
In my humble opinion, I’ve saved the best for last, but perhaps that’s because I’m more of a ‘let’s bond over kicking some dungeon butt’ rather than ‘oh my god, the first guy that walks through the door is the love of my life’ kind of girl. In Boyfriend Dungeon, you get to date your weapons. You don’t get many dating games like that.
The game features all manner of characters, including female, male, and non-binary dating options. In addition, you can choose your gender and pronouns at the beginning of the game, ensuring you have the experience you want. If you want to discover more about what this game offers, check out our Boyfriend Dungeon Switch review here.
Boyfriend Dungeon Boyfriend Dungeon $19.99 Buy it here! Network N earns affiliate commission from qualifying sales
Stardew Valley – Switch and mobile
Stardew Valley falls into all kinds of genres, but thanks to the fact you can romance your Pelican Valley neighbors, it makes our list of the best dating games. Whether you want to make Sam swoon, court Caroline, or fall in love with Leah, it’s your choice, but to properly complete this game you have to settle down and get married.
Stardew isn’t nearly as intimate as some of the other dating games on this list, you don’t see much kissing and cuddling going on, and nothing more than that is ever suggested (except for finding Mayor Lewis’ underpants in Marnie’s house). Still, there are some meaningful moments to have as you romance your fellow villagers, and if you really do fall for each other, wedding bells can chime.
Aww, aren’t those dating games just lovely? We hope they provide you with the perfect virtual significant other. However, if you decide you need a break from the dating scene, our lists of the best mobile platformers and best Switch platformers allow you to hop, skip, and jump your way to single life.