Illustration by Allen Ye.

The arrival of November indicates that Chicago’s long winter season is approaching. With streets blanketed in white snow and icy winds howling outside, there’s nothing more comfortable than cozying up indoors, wrapping yourself in a warm blanket, sipping a steaming cup of hot cocoa, and exploring the world of video games.

Here are five great video games that could be perfect companions during the freezing Chicago winter:

“Hello Kitty Island Adventure” (2023)

“Hello Kitty Island Adventure”

• Genre: Sandbox, adventure, and family
• Release: 2023
• Age: 4+
• Where to Play: Apple Arcade
• Languages: Arabic, English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, and Turkish

Want to relive the bright sunshine of summer, the salty smell of waves, and the sweetness of coconuts to escape our snow-covered Chicago? Welcome to Big Adventures Park, where friendships are key and adventure is just around the corner.

Run, climb, or glide across the landscape, immerse in the island’s unique ecosystem, decorate your cozy vacation houses, delight in cooking tasty dishes, and even ponder the old debate of pineapple on pizza. As if that’s not enough, you’ll have the chance to become a mermaid to dive deep into the underwater world and observe a wide variety of fish and magic creatures.

Along the journey, some of the most beloved Sanrio characters will keep you company, including the iconic Hello Kitty, the mischievous Kuromi, the sweet Cinnamoroll, and many more. Your task will involve making friends with these lovable characters and discovering their likes. Prepare to be captivated by an abandoned island that’s poised to be restored to its former glory!

“Overcooked 2” (2018)

“Overcooked 2”

• Genre: Strategy, simulation, and party.
• Release: 2018
• Age: All ages
• Where to Play: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4
• Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Spanish

Stressed by your final projects, and need a party with your friends? Here is “Overcooked 2,” a crazy cooperative cooking game that accommodates one to four players. You and your besties’ mission is to defeat an undead army of bread and rescue the Onion Kingdom by chopping, frying, and baking.

Satisfy the insatiable appetites of customers with a wide range of recipes, including sushi, pancakes, pasta, cakes, burgers, pizza, and burritos. Whether in a hot air balloon, a mystical Wizard school, or collapsing floors, there is never a shortage of kitchens in “Overcooked 2.” A dash of creativity, a touch of chaos, and a plate full of yummy food await. Get ready to cook!

“Super Mario Bros. Wonder” (2023)

“Super Mario Bros. Wonder”

• Genre: Platformer, action, and co-op
• Release: 2023
• Age: All ages
• Where to Play: Nintendo Switch
• Languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Spanish

Do you still remember those Mario games you played with your childhood best friends on the carpet in your parents’ living room?

These days, Mario and his friends have received a special invitation to the vibrant Flower Kingdom. Unfortunately, King Bowser has been causing chaos in the peaceful land. It’s up to you, our hero, to save the Flower Kingdom again as a grown-up!

For maximum enjoyment, you have the option to either team up with as many as three friends locally on one Nintendo Switch system, or engage in online play with up to four players on a single course, or with twelve friends in a co-op room.

What are you waiting for before starting this extraordinary new adventure?

“Sumikkogurashi Farm” (2021)

“Sumikkogurashi Farm”

• Genre: Sandbox, simulation, and family.
• Release: 2021
• Age: 4+
• Where to Play: Google Play, App Store, Android
• Languages: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese

Going to a school in the heart of Chicago, surrounded by high-rises and busy traffic, you can find yourself missing the beauty of the peaceful countryside. But with “Sumikkogurashi Farm” you can experience nature right in your living room. In this game, you are able to harvest crops, craft tasty snacks, set up cozy resting spots, and transform your farm into a haven. The game also offers an amusing dress-up feature, enabling you to style Sumikkogurashi characters according to your style and savor precious moments with these cute creatures. Let’s step into the adorable world of Sumikkogurashi, create the farm of your dreams, and enjoy the tranquility of virtue farm life!

“Eggy Party” (2022)

“Eggy Party”

• Genre: Strategy, Simulation. Party.
• Release: 2022
• Age: 4+
• Where to Play: Google Play, App Store, Android
• Languages: English, Indonesian, Malay, Simplified Chinese, Thai, and Traditional Chinese

Have you ever been curious about the world inside blind box machines? Eggy Island is a world inside one. Countless cute eggs live here, and their life is to hold ongoing parties.

Congratulations on coming to an eggy party! In this game, you will turn into an adorable egg, go to their bustling theme park, and create joy with your friends by rolling, colliding, sparking, hiding and seeking, and rushing forward. You can even use your creativity and imagination in the workshop to create your own party and unlock fresh maps. Finally, don’t forget to use trendy and cool clothing accessories to DIY an egg in your unique style.

All of these video games can provide a perfect escape from the chilly winter season, allowing you to enjoy the best entertainment in the warmth of your own home, whether you are working on a virtual farm, exploring magical tricks, or engaging in a competition with friends. So, grab your device, get the fireplace going, and let the gaming adventures begin!