If you're looking for the digital love of your life, our list of dating games is here to play Cupid and set you up with a real keeper. We've got something for everyone here, from tales of pension-age romance to something a little steamier, so you can find whatever suits you best. It might not be real love, but it's certainly a lot easier.
Should dating games give you the 'it's not you, it's me' feeling, perhaps our lists of the best Zelda games, best Final Fantasy games, and best Sonic games will be more to your liking.
Here are the best dating games:
The Sims Mobile
Portable platforms: Android and iOS
Okay, so The Sims isn't technically a dating game, but you can date, marry, and even start your own little family, so it makes the list. Of course, you don't have to start a family; you can go the other way and be a real Casanova. Whatever your romantic intentions are, The Sims is fine with it, so feel free to go to town.
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
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
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 eye, 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.
Dream Daddy
Portable platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
The life of a single parent is tough, as is finding a new partner, but in Dream Daddy, it's all too easy to find a hunk to hook up with and get to a bit of co-parenting. With seven different dishy dads to choose from, this is one of the most popular dating games of recent years, with plenty of fans of the genre finding something worth coming back to.
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.
Love Sick
Portable platforms: Android and iOS
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
Portable platforms: iOS, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
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
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
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 and 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 that certain decisions can affect how characters perceive you. Whatever happens, we hope this ends in a monster smash.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
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 who 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.
Boyfriend Dungeon
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
Boyfriend Dungeon is a personal favorite of the Pocket Tactics team. Why? Well, because it combines two of our favorite things - dungeon crawling and steamy dialogue. It's also a little different in that in this game, you're dating a weapon, so you better flirt well if you want it to stick by your side in battle.
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.
Stardew Valley
Portable platforms: iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
Stardew Valley falls into all kinds of genres, but thanks to the fact that 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.
Lovematch
Portable platforms: Android and iOS
If your dating days are done, but you want to know what it might be like to use something like Tinder or Hinge, Lovematch has you covered. In this pick for our list of the best dating games, you swipe to find potential partners before meeting up for delightful dates. We say delightful; you may have to play your cards right for it all to go according to plan.
With plenty of potential matches, including everything from professional business types to K-pop superstars, there's no shortage of romanceable characters in this game. All you need to do is find the right one for you.
Speed Dating for Ghosts
Portable platforms: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
Okay, now for something completely different. Speed Dating for Ghosts is as abstract and absurd as dating games get, and we love it all the more for that. Things might not get as steamy as they do in other options on this list, but behind the cartoony art style and tongue-in-cheek dialogue, there's a real depth here. After all, it is about the afterlife.
With 14 different ghosts to romance, or date anyway, it's not always that romantic; there are a lot of different personalities to contend with as you search for love. Just be ready to deal with the consequences if the date goes wrong, as it often does.
Hooked on You: A Dead by Daylight Dating Sim
Portable platforms: Steam Deck and Windows handhelds
Yes, Hooked on You: A Dead by Daylight Dating Sim is as weird as it sounds, but if you haven't already gathered from the other entries on our list of the best dating games, we love something a little different. If you always wanted to see the softer side of The Huntress or take a little time to get to know The Trapper, this could be the pick for you.
The big, and, admittedly, unsurprising twist in this game is that if you can't charm one of the killers, they'll happily take you out. Still, at least it takes place on a picturesque beach rather than inside one of Dead by Daylight's dreary maps, so you get to see how fetching The Wraith looks in his swimming shorts.
Aww, aren't those dating games just lovely? We hope they provide you with the perfect virtual significant other. Still, if you prefer making in-game money to making, well, you know, get off to a great start with our Coin Master free spins and free Monopoly Go dice guides.