10 Best Indies on Switch
The Nintendo Switch is an indie powerhouse with plenty of incredible stories and gameplay moments to discover. From fighting enemies with your datable swords in Boyfriend Dungeon to trying to save every monster you encounter in Undertale, there are a lot of great indie games out there for you to try.
Here are ten indie games to think about getting in no particular order.
Boyfriend Dungeon
This hybrid between a visual novel and a dungeon crawler truly stands out as one of the best indies on Switch because of its charming characters and engaging gameplay loop. I finished it in one session, and it was about six to eight hours long. The premise is that you’re trying to find a date during your summer vacation, and along the way, you meet fantastic dates that are also weapons in the dungeons (the game calls them the dunj).
Each character you meet has a fascinating story to tell, and the game does a great job of representing an LGBT cast. The combat can be thrilling as well with every character’s special moves and weapon style, despite becoming repetitive towards the end of the game. It is one of the best indies of 2021 as well.
Celeste
Arguably the best game on this list, Celeste stands out for its superb 2D platforming mechanics and tear-worthy (in all the best ways) storyline. As the protagonist Madeline scales the mountain, the levels get tougher and the drama emulsifies to a grand point before a lovely denouement. The platforming feels excellent as Madeline zips from place to place and wall jumps to make hard attempts at finishing the level.
She constantly respawns, similarly to Super Meat Boy, and tries to beat the challenge time and time again. Celeste also tackles mental health in an exceptionally tasteful manner, and as someone who struggles personally, I connected with the game in so many ways. We also can’t forget Lena Raine’s incredible emotional soundtrack. Our own Jason Capp thinks Celeste is “platforming perfection.”
Cuphead
Bouncing with energy, Cuphead provides an exhilarating 2D platforming experience with bosses that will make you shake in terror. Yes, it’s very difficult, but when you beat each boss, it feels oh so satisfying. While some of the stages feel tacked on to add length to the game, all the bosses are designed in an immaculate manner. The action is fast, and between two players, it can be a wild ride that you’ll remember for a long time.
The 30s/40s-styled animation also looks incredible and adds so much personality to the game. The suitable jazzy music by Kris Maddigan fits the game so well and sounds like it’s from that incredible era of tunes. We can’t wait for the expansion later this year!
Firewatch
From the busy levels of Cuphead to the scenic and quiet Firewatch, we should take a moment to adore the latter game to the nth degree. Set in a place that video games don’t usually go to, Wyoming, we play as a man who tries to escape the busy life of the city for the wilderness.
As a park officer, you are looking for smoke, and tensions have risen as of late. Your lookout tower is raided and strange things begin to happen around you. The tension is delivered so well in the narrative, and the relationship between the main character Henry and Delilah over the radio feels so natural. You’ll also have choices that can impact the game’s trajectory, and while you explore, you’ll realize how beautiful nature (in a video game) can be.
Hades
One of the best action games on the system, Hades stands out for its intense gameplay and rewarding loop. The roguelike provides thrilling moments of combat with several different weapons at your disposal and elaborate bosses that will test your skill. There are also upgrades and characters to improve your bond for, who will give you certain items at pivotal moments of a relationship.
In addition, every playthrough to escape the underworld is unique as you use different skills, abilities, and perks from the gods who are trying to help you from Mount Olympus. We also can’t forget about the fantastic voice acting, wonderful score by Darren Korb, and the gorgeous art that Supermassive put forward. If you’d love to play it, you should know there is a physical version available as well as the digital version.
Hollow Knight
From one enchanting world to another, Hollow Knight takes you into a magical, yet dark environment filled with incredible tough bosses to face. This game is steeped with atmosphere from the haunting music to the mystical overtone of the environments with dashings of color with each environment.
The Never Yak said in their Nindie Spotlight for Hollow Knight that “this game has an abundance of unique ideas and mechanics.” You have all sorts of charms, spells, and abilities at your disposal. You just have to pick the right one for you in an uncertain world like this. If you’re a fan of Souls-like titles or just like a difficult metroidvania, give Hollow Knight a chance. Let’s hope the sequel, Silksong, is close by.
Shovel Knight
This indie is somewhat of an oldie, but a goodie. Yacht Club Games with Shovel Knight showed their platforming prowess as it provided a great but fair amount of difficulty within its nourished level design.
Bouncing on enemies like in DuckTales and taking on all sorts of abilities like the Mega Man series, Shovel Knight is like a “best of” album of the 80s and 90s platforming titles. It also has a riveting soundtrack by Jake Kaufman, and some amazing 16-bit visuals for a new age.
Tetris Effect: Connected
Not about platformers or action games? No biggie. Tetris Effect: Connected is your ticket to having a relaxed, yet focused game. This puzzle game is intrinsically connected to the beautiful music of Tetris Effect: Connected. The environments around the puzzles change as the gameplay continues, and beats from each song continue to change and add up.
The stunning visuals, well-implemented sound design, gorgeous music, and the Tetris puzzle mechanics match up perfectly to create a euphoric and memorable experience. We also love the co-op online mode that’s included. Go check it out if you haven’t already since its October 2021 release.
Undertale
It’s about time we include an RPG on this list, and Undertale is such a surprising gem on the Nintendo Switch. Without spoiling the story, the developer Toby Fox constantly plays with your expectations, creating a thoroughly interesting story that will grab you from beginning to end. The battle system is unorthodox, as you can decide to defend yourself by attacking or persuading the enemy to let you go. It’s an interesting twist on the turn-based RPG genre.
In addition, it’s fascinating how you can avoid attacks as each enemy type usually comes with a different mini-game to perform the act. All this, plus a stellar soundtrack and excellent writing, makes this a must-play if you haven’t already.
What Remains of Edith Finch
Lastly is the suspenseful tale of What Remains of Edith Finch. Its themes are mature and are not for the children. It tackles the multiple deaths of the Finch family within a seemingly cursed house. And yet it’s somehow beautiful. Each story takes on a different style, and without spoiling anything, it becomes colorful, exciting, and yet sad.
It’s a strange celebration of how life is so precious and how it can fade in a moment’s notice. The story hits hard, and while it isn’t recommended for a youngster to play this, What Remains of Edith Finch will remain poignant in your mind for days after.
Thank you for stopping by Nintendo Link! What do you think of our 10 best indie games on the Nintendo Switch? Do you agree? No? Let us know in the comments below!
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