We’ve scoped out the best city builder games on Switch and mobile so that you know exactly where to start your next architectural masterpiece. Whether you’re just starting your building journey or you’re well-versed in zoning laws and planning permission, we’ve got the game for you.
While you’re here, check out our guides covering the best Switch racing games, the best horror games, the best Switch RPGs, and the best tactics games. For builds of a different kind, head over to our build guides for Genshin Impact’s Ayato, Honkai Star Rail’s Black Swan, Zenless Zone Zero’s Ben, and Wuthering Waves’ Zhezhi.
These are the best city builder games on Switch and mobile:
Cities: Skylines – Switch
Well, this one is a bit on the nose, isn’t it? Cities: Skyline is a deep and incredibly addictive city builder where you can make the marvelous metropolis of your dreams. This granular simulation game gives you so much control, allowing you to optimize and manipulate the education systems, healthcare, and many other elements to better balance your city’s economy.
The Switch port sacrifices a bit of visual clarity, but being able to play this incredibly rich sim on the go is well worth it. Developer Colossal Order has optimized the UI incredibly well for Switch, and there’s even Pro Controller support so you can feel the rumble of machinery as you erect your latest skyscrapers. Cities: Skylines on Switch also includes both the After Dark and Snowfall DLC packs, so that’s plenty of building bang for your buck. We can only hope that Cities Skylines 2 makes its way to a portable platform soon.
Steamworld Build – Switch
Alright, this is a slightly pre-emptive pick, but we have actually played and absolutely loved this entry in our Steamworld Build review. Developer Thunderful (previously Image & Form) is well recognized for taking concepts and adding a layer of quirky personality to them, and then delivering a stellar game along the way. Steamworld Dig 1 & 2, Steamworld Heist, Steamworld Quest… all bangers. Well, they are if you ask us.
Steamworld Build brings across all of the depth, charm, and smart optimization that the Steamworld franchise is famous for. You balance your city-building abilities above ground with a surprisingly deep mining side of the game, as you send units to explore the depths and earn the very elements you need to continue building above ground. If you like what you see, make sure you check out our SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech mobile review and our SteamWorld Build interview.
Dragon Quest Builders 2 – Switch
Don’t judge a book by its cover, and don’t look at Dragon Quest Builders 2 and assume it’s Minecraft with silly JRPG outfits. I mean, it is that, but it’s also so much more. DQB2 takes the mining formula and adds so many smart quality-of-life upgrades that it makes going back to Minecraft feel like a chore. Plus, a lovely storyline propels the narrative and slowly introduces more tasks, building tools, and areas for you to explore. You can tell it’s good as it’s one of our picks for the best Dragon Quest games, as well as this list.
On top of just being able to build your basic blocky barrack, as you explore the narrative and visit multiple islands, you befriend the people you meet along the way and bring them back to your home, building a cute community as you progress. You get farm animals, plenty of different building types, some really funny Dragon Quest-themed furniture, and the wholesome feeling of providing refuge for some waifs and strays. There’s a lengthy demo for Dragon Quest Builders 2, so give it a tickle and see if it’s for you. Forgive the sluggish intro, we promise it opens up fairly quickly!
