Best casual games on Xbox Game Pass
Video games don’t have to be huge, time-consuming endeavours. Some of my favourite games are what I’d class as “casual”: you know, the type of game you can put on while you’re listening to a podcast and mindlessly play. They’re great if you’re new to gaming or if you simply want a palate cleanser after completing a hefty RPGs. Here, I’ve rounded up the best casual games on Xbox Game Pass.
Granted, “casual games” is a pretty broad term. But for the sake of this list, I’m counting a casual game to be something easy-going that requires little skill and minimal effort. Thankfully, there are a number of them available on Xbox Game Pass, so if you have a subscription, you can jump into any one of these at no extra cost.
I’ve included a range of different types of games including arcade, puzzle and adventure, so there should something to suit every taste. Everything has been played (and enjoyed) by me, so if you’re in the mood for a casual game that you can switch off your brain with, I’m hopeful you’ll find something that suits here.
Every game on this list can be played with a Game Pass Standard subscription, correct at the time of publication.
1. Arcade Paradise
There are several elements to Arcade Paradise that make it one of my go-to casual games on Xbox Game Pass. It’s sort-of multiple games in one, you see. On the face of it, it’s a simulator game: you’re running a laundrette with an arcade in the back room. Over time, you’ll upgrade your arcade, adding new machines and new flourishes.
But along with the sim side, you can also play any of the games in your arcade. There are some excellent games on offer: beat ’em ups, fighting games, racers and even a Dance Dance Revolution-style minigame. My favourite will always be Blockchain, and that alone makes the entire game worthwhile.
Read our review of Arcade Paradise
2. Disney Dreamlight Valley
If the idea of a quiet, tranquil life of farming, fetch-questing and generally taking it easy appeals to you, then Disney Dreamlight Valley might be one of the best casual games on Xbox Game Pass for you. It’s certainly one of my favourites.
In Dreamlight Valley, you’ll create your own character to live amongst various Disney characters, helping to rebuild the town, grow crops, do a spot of fishing, and helping out other townsfolk with their wants and desires. All at your own pace, of course.
There’s a huge range of missions to do, with dozens of characters spanning multiple Disney and Pixar franchises. Do a spot of fishing with Goofy, or help Nala make friends. It’s entirely up to you.
Read our review of Disney Dreamlight Valley
3. Goat Simulator
Is Goat Simulator really a casual game? I’m not sure, but in my eyes, you can’t get much more casual than running around, causing caprine carnage.
Sure, there are some objectives to follow in Goat Simulator, but only if you want them. The real joy of the game is running around on four legs, breaking stuff up, destroying people’s belongings and doing ridiculous goatly stunts.
When you’ve had enough of this, there’s Goat Simulator 3 to get stuck into, too. It offers more of the same but with much nicer visuals.
Read our Goat Simulator review
4. PowerWash Simulator
I recently described PowerWash Simulator to someone who doesn’t play games, and they were amazed it was a thing. Honestly, even as a gamer, I’m pretty incredulous it not only exists, but is so ridiculously good fun to play. It is exactly how it sounds: a game about power-washing stuff. And yet somehow, it’s one of the best casual games you can play on Xbox Game Pass.
From a kid’s playground to Lara Croft’s mansion, there are dozens of environments to clean. They’re all absolutely filthy, and seeing them come up bright and shiny as you power-wash them is one of the most satisfying things in any video game.
Read our review of PowerWash Simulator
5. Vampire Survivors
Okay, I do feel a bit mean reducing Vampire Survivors down to a “casual game”. It’s much more than that. But playing it does feel super casual, and it is the type of game you can play while also listening to music or a podcast, so I think it fits this list perfectly.
If you’re somehow yet to play it, Vampire Survivors is a roguelike auto-shooter. In other words, any weapons you have equipped will attack automatically. You simply need to move around, avoiding enemies and collecting experience gems.
As you level up, you’ll gain new skills and abilities. The ultimate aim is to become so powerful you can simply obliterate everything on screen. When that happens, it feels brilliant. Trust me.
6. Viva Pinata
Viva Pinata is a bit of a blast from the past: it’s originally an Xbox 360 game. But thanks to backwards compatibility, it’s one of the best casual games you can currently play on Xbox Game Pass.
Perhaps the forefather of all cosy gaming, Viva Pinata has you tending to a garden and growing your own plants. As your garden blossoms, you’ll attract wonderfully colourful ‘pinata’ species, who you can bond with and even breed, creating new pinata eggs. Aww.
It’s a silly little game, but it’s one of the nicest, most colourful casual games around. Even if it’s a little long in the tooth now (18 years! Boy, I feel old) it’s still well worth your time.
