Ever noticed how often mushrooms crop up in video games? From iconic cutie Toad, to favorites such as Skyrim and Zelda that employ mushrooms as powerful resources for the player — magical mycelium has wound its tendrils far into the virtual world. In fact, mushrooms were getting their dues as ‘power-ups’ in video games far before the medicinal mushroom craze went mainstream. Makes you think, huh?

Playing Video Games on Magic Mushrooms

Anyway, although mushrooms might be in games, for some people playing games on mushrooms is a new and slightly intimidating concept. Sure, depending on your aim for a trip, playing video games might not be appropriate. For example, if you are hoping to do an intense session of self-discovery and introspection. Or if you’re planning on getting so high that the best visuals are behind your eyelids. For others though, video games and shrooms may be a match made in heaven.

When combined, magic mushrooms and video games can create an incomparable sensory experience. While watching films or TV on shrooms can be a captivating experience, video games can be a truly immersive journey. For a start you are in control of the experience! With your senses heightened and your mind opened you will fall headfirst into the world of the game, coming up with creative solutions and noticing the quality of the graphics like never before. 

10 Trippy Video Games to Play on Shrooms

*Because of these aforementioned heightened senses (and sensitivities) we do not recommend playing any horror-based or violent games while on shrooms, so we haven’t included any in our list. It is easy to get overwhelmed while on psilocybin, so even the most chill wander through a pixilated meadow can feel like a lot. But! If these games are your jam and think you can handle it, go ahead — just don’t get too lost in the fantasy….

Mario Kart

There’s no cast of characters more friendly and recognizable than the Mario Kart crew. Since 1992 they’ve been delighting kids and stoners alike, so there’s no better place to start your shroom adventure than with these critters. Play with friends in split screen, against others online, or against the AI of the game itself. Shout out to Toad!  

Psychonauts 1 & 2

Hey psychonauts, fancy playing Psychonauts? This adventure game, set in a retro-future version of the 1980s will blow your mind. In it, you play Rasputin (Raz) a young boy with psychic powers that he uses to travel into people’s minds to solve crimes and treat traumas. Fascinatingly, the developer took psychological concepts, such as schizophrenia and social anxiety and turned them into gameplay mechanics. Do not fear that this all sounds too complex for your addled mind however! This game is a classic collectathon at its core, and at times can be very, very funny. 

Everything

Ever gotten super high and contemplated the enormity and majesty of the universe? Well, you’ll love Everything then. Another title for this simulation could be ‘Panpsychism: The Video Game.’ It lets you inhabit everything, every creature, every atom. In fact, you start the game only able to transfer into a being smaller than you, meaning you can quickly find yourself at the sub-atomic level. However, here you will find that ‘big’ and ‘small’ really have no meaning when within each atom a whole universe can exist. Sounds trippy — and we’re not even high yet…

Rez

A musical shooter game? Doesn’t sound like an obvious mix, but hear us out! This much-loved game follows a hacker’s journey into a faulty AI system, where the shooting element is synced with music, aiming to create “360 degrees of mind-blowing synesthesia”. There is little narrative, but themes reference both ‘the singularity‘ and the journey of life. 

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Although, as always, you are on the quest to save Princess Zelda, this game gives you space to wander the beautiful scenery, and get lost in a lovingly created world. And, unlike many other adventure games, you won’t get attacked and killed by all manner of ghouls and goblins the minute you stray off-piste, harshing your buzz. Just FYI, available fungi in Breath of the Wild include; Hylian Shrooms, Endura Shrooms, Stamella Shrooms, Hearty Truffles, Big Hearty Truffles, Chillshrooms, Zapshrooms, Sunshrooms, Rushrooms, Razorshrooms, Ironshrooms, and Silent Shrooms. Quite the selection!

Journey 

This award-winning indie adventure game is deeply loved by its players. In it, you are a robed figure traveling towards a mountain with a glowing peak. The game aims to evoke a sense of awe and smallness in the player, and you can build connections with other players you may come across on your journey. However, you cannot talk. Many players cite how moving and emotional collaborating with and helping a stranger in this virtual desert can be. Additionally, the music builds to create an emotional arc within the gamers story. I’m not crying, you are! 

Tetris Effect

Like Tetris? Who doesn’t?! But now imagine Tetris had a baby with cosmos, and those pesky shapes are the building blocks of civilization itself. Woah. 

Shadow of the Colossus

Another ‘rescue the princess’ game, but with High Art credentials. This collection of pixels is often touted as one of the most beautiful computer games ever made. And it truly is stunning, a sight for both sober and high eyes. Play as ‘Wanderer’, as he and his horse Agro fend off shadowy figures, and slay Colossuses, to resurrect dead Princess Mono. However, as the death toll grows, you begin to see the effects upon your avatar. Is so much destruction worth it? You may fall into some deep shroomy introspection after this game.  

Katamari Damacy Reroll

Katamari Damacy is a kooky game that will only get more kooky on shrooms. Or maybe, it will begin to make perfect sense… You must rebuild the moon and the stars, destroyed by your father, the King (you are the Prince of the Cosmos btw!) So, you are sent down to earth to roll everything into one big sticky ball — including cows, buildings, cars, people, and everything else, until you have enough junk to make a whole new planet. Its surreal, funny and just a darn good time — especially on magic mushrooms. 

Powerwash Simulator

A favorite of the psychonauts of Reddit, Powerwash Simulator is for when you truly have lost the power to follow a cohesive narrative. However, it has to be one of the most satisfying ways to while away a few hours. The concept is oh-so-simple. Everything is dirty. You must harness the power washer and clean all the grime away, until everything, including your mind is squeaky clean again. This cult-classic is extremely satisfying. 

We hope these tips will enhance your trip! And remember, if the game gets too much, simply close your eyes, and enjoy the soundtrack. Because let’s face it — video game tunes are always a bop. But that’s a list for another time… 😉