I can’t remember the last time I finished a video game. I’ve had my Nintendo Switch Lite for two years now, and it’s riddled with a number of titles I’ve abandoned for one reason or another. I often scroll through the Nintendo eShop, watching dozens of trailers in search of a game that might hook my ADHD brain, but nothing ever feels quite tantalizing. And now I feel guilty that my Switch sees most of its days tucked away in a drawer.
As a kid, I was always into simulation-style games (The Sims, Mall Tycoon, and Nintendogs, to name a few) and that has carried over into my adulthood. I’ve long struggled to find a game that scratches this itch though—devoid of side quests, intense customization, multiple storylines, and tough levels. That is, until a couple of months ago, when a TikTok video about “cozy Nintendo Switch games” appeared on my For You page.
Among the list was Lemon Cake—a bakery-management game where the main goal is to repair a bakery by learning recipes, baking treats, decorating the space, and serving customers. That’s all there is to it, but I was entranced the minute I downloaded it. Between the straightforward storyline, easy gameplay, calming background music, and adorable graphics, I finally found what I’d been searching for—a game that’s more soothing than overstimulating. I actually finished it.
