Human interest in horseback riding is ancient. For thousands of years, we have been captivated by these majestic beasts, first as a means of production, then as one of transportation, and finally as a source of pleasure. Even horse racing, which is often referred to as the sport of kings, has been around for thousands of years.
If you are new to the sport and still asking basic questions like ‘how do betting odds work in horse racing’, understand that you’re really participating in a tradition that was first popularized by ancient royals.
It’s no wonder that video games have taken to featuring horses prominently in many IPs. What are the best horse games for the Nintendo Switch? Let’s get into it.
Horse Tales, Emerald Valley Ranch
Horse Tales, Emerald Valley Ranch, is your typical horse game in that it allows you to simulate many or most of the experiences of owning a ranch. This includes breeding options, training, grooming, competitions, et cetera.
The graphics are cartoony, but it gives you ample freedom to explore the game’s world on horseback, choosing your adventure slowly. Based less on story-driven elements and more on what you are interested in doing on that given day.
Horse Club Adventure Games
There are two Horse Club Adventure titles available on Switch. Both are along the same lines as Horse Tales Emerald Valley Ranch, being simulation games above all else, allowing you the opportunity to customize your character and interact with friends and nonplayable characters within the game.
The emphasis here is less on the grooming aspects of horse ownership and more on a light adventure that takes place primarily on horseback.
Windstorm: Start of a Great Friendship
Windstorm is actually an adaptation of an existing intellectual property. If you’re a fan of horse media in general, you might be aware of the Windstorm franchise, which tells the story of a girl named Mika.
Mika is a noted horse whisperer who has been the feature character in four animated films. The game was released primarily for PC but has now been ported to the Switch. At the time of writing, it is available only in digital form.
The game allows you to explore Kaltenbach Estate. Like most games where horses are front and center, you have the opportunity to groom your companion down to the hooves and make moves specifically designed to ensure his happiness.
Also, like most horse games, this is a very plot-light experience. The primary purpose is to trot around and build your bond with your horse. There are little objectives you can complete, but your primary focus is always open-ended exploration.
Legend of Zelda
It’s not exactly a horse game, but horses have featured prominently in the franchise for decades. The Nintendo Switch gave rise to the two most groundbreaking and beloved titles in franchise history: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Both games feature expansive open worlds that Link, our silent protagonist, is able to explore freely, often through inventive means.
The hang glider is a particularly popular invention of these latest installments, but it has not replaced Link’s historical favorite mode of transportation: horses.
Earlier entries into the franchise featured a singular steed, Epona. Link’s faithful companion is still available in Nintendo’s two latest installments, but there are many other options to choose from, including spectral and skeletal steeds that allow you to traverse the lands in style.
Customization options are lighter here, where the emphasis is more on stopping Gannon’s even wrath (though, spoilers, he’ll always recover in time for the next game) but not non-existent.
You are able to store and interact with your horses most directly at the stables, which are sprinkled throughout the map.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is not exactly horse-centric, but it does feature steeds as an option for transportation in this slow-paced, possibly no-pace farm simulator. This is quite possibly the Mac Daddy of cozy gaming. Though not the first entry in the genre, it is easily the most popular, and with good reason.
Stardew Valley invites players to leave the fast-paced world of cubicles, assignments, and city-based drudgery behind for the simpler pastures of a farm. When you arrive at your newly inherited estate, it’s covered with weeds, rocks, sprouting trees, and not a lot of life. Slowly but surely, your job is to build it up from nothing.
You can plant an orchard, grow almost any crop that comes to mind, raise cows, chickens, pigs, and more. And yes, care for all of this abundant life from the back of a horse. Many players find that their favorite part of the game is simply riding around town, meeting locals, and diving deep into the storytelling elements of this unique slice-of-life game.
