The 10 Best Indie Games on Nintendo Switch in 2024
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon- Indie games are developed by small teams or solo developers without major studio support, often featuring unique art styles and narratives. They're more affordable than AAA games.
- The Nintendo Switch boasts a diverse indie game lineup, with titles like "Hades," "Disco Elysium," and "Hollow Knight" offering unique experiences ranging from action-packed adventures to deeply engaging stories.
- These games provide a platform for creative expression and innovative gameplay mechanics, allowing players to explore new and diverse gaming experiences beyond mainstream titles.
While we restlessly wait for some kind of announcement for the Nintendo Switch‘s successor, let’s talk about its success. Against the likes of the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and the the Xbox Series X/S, the Switch, released first in March 2017, still continues to dominate and enjoys a great many titles every year.
With fan-favorites like Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, Mario etc. still getting new releases on the Switch, it doesn’t look like its going away any time soon. However, one of the best parts about the Switch is that it really gives indie game studios and developers a spotlight to shine in. With that said, here are the 10 best indie games which you can enjoy on your Switch.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is an Indie Game?
Before we get on with our picks of the best indie games on Switch, we need to make clear what exactly is an indie game. An indie game, shortened from independent game, is a video game developed by independent studios or developers, with some being developed by a single person alone. They are mostly 2D in nature and often feature quirky or beautiful art styles, with plot-rich narratives.
Indie studios and developers do not possess any large studio’s financial backing and work entirely on their own prescribed budget. They use publicly available game-building tools and are dedicated to making the best possible game in their mind.
They’re also priced significantly lower than AAA games (games developed by larger studios e.g. CAPCOM, PlayStation, etc.), since the cost of developing one is significantly lower to a single AAA game.
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The 10 Best Indie Games For Your Switch
Without further ado, here are our 10 best indie picks for the Nintendo Switch:
1. Hades
Genre: Action, Adventure, Rogue-like | Release Year: 2020 | Rating: 4.5★ | Price: $24.99
Doing a list of the best indie games on Switch and not including Hades would be an impossible task. Hades, developed by Supergiant Studios, is fast-paced rogue-like with RPG elements. Its dazzling fights, adrenaline-fueled soundtrack, and superb art-direction made it the stand-out star of 2020. It managed to win the awards for Best Action Game and Best Indie Game at The Game of The Year Awards 2020.
The game follows the story of Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the Underworld. As implied, Hades is set in a fictional Greek mythology universe. Over the course of his journey, Zagreus will meet many notable figures in Greek mythology who will seek to aid you. Standing in your way, is none other than your father, Hades, who has sent a slew of monsters and other creatures to stop you.
2. Disco Elysium
Genre: Adventure, Role-playing | Release Year: 2021 | Rating: 4.9★ | Price: $39.99
Originally released back in 2019 on Windows, Disco Elysium made its way to the Switch in 2021, after much pleas to ZA/UM, the studio behind it. Widely regarded as one of the greatest narratives in video game history, Disco Elysium is considered one of the greatest games of all time. It won 4 awards at The Game of The Year Awards 2019; Best Narrative, Best Indie Game, Fresh Indie Game and Best Role-Playing Game.
Disco Elysium follows the story of a detective who has been assigned to a murder case, along with his partner. However, the detective has been a victim of drug-induced amnesia and cannot remember anything about his past. In search of the truth behind both the murders and his past, he and his partner face many unknown forces who are trying to stop them.
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3. Hollow Knight
Genre: Action, Metroidvania | Release Year: 2018 | Rating: 4.8★ | Price: $15.00
Another underrated gem, Hollow Knight is the closest you’ll get to a Souls game on this list. Hollow Knight, developed by Team Cherry, is a 2D Metroidvania action game that takes you on a journey, any Souls fan can relate too; tough-as-nails boss fights, mesmerizing soundtrack, punishing deaths and beautiful artwork.
Hollow Knight tells the story of the Knight, your protagonist, and how he arrives at the Kingdom of Hallownest, a once prosperous kingdom, which has fallen into decay because of The Infection. The Infection is an unexplainable disease that infects anyone with free will, giving them unnatural strength at the cost of their sanity. The Knight must rescue the kingdom by eliminating the source of The Infection.
4. Sea of Stars
Genre: Turn-based, Role-playing | Release Year: 2023 | Rating: 4.5★ | Price: $34.99
Sabotage Studio‘s Sea of Stars is a fantastic game that pays tribute to the classic RPGs, like Final Fantasy, with its turn-based combat, outstanding narrative, meaningful soundtrack and intricate puzzles. It was nominated for the Best Role-playing Game award and managed to win the Best Independent Game award at The Game Awards 2023.
Sea of Stars has you take control of Valere and Zale, Solstice Warriors who posses Eclipse Magic, the only power that can harm the Dwellers. The Dwellers are monsters that have been created by the Fleshmancer, an alchemist. Valere and Zale set out to defeat the Fleshmancer and are joined by secveral friends and allies. The story is ripe with action, emotion and betrayal.
5. Spiritfarer
Genre: Adventure, Simulation | Release Year: 2020 | Rating: 4.6★ | Price: $29.99
Developed by Thunder Lotus Games, Spiritfarer is a wonderful game that deals with loss. It follows the story of Stella and her cat Daffodil, who have been appointed as the successor to Charon. Charon is a being in Greek mythology that ferries the newly departed souls to the afterlife, termed the Everdoor in the game. Featuring a soothing soundtrack and minimalist art style, Spiritfarer hits you right in the feels.
For their new job, Stella and Daffodil must journey on a ship and collect all the newly-departed souls. She must also make sure that the souls are happy by keeping her ship’s conditions and rations fully stocked. Also, in order for these souls to pass on Stella must also fulfill their last requests. Doing so will provide you with every soul’s backstory, so get the tissues ready.
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6. UNDERTALE
Genre: Turn-based, Role-playing | Release Year: 2018 | Rating: 4.8★ | Price: $14.99
Initially released in 2015, UNDERTALE developed by Toby Fox, is a household name among indies. It is widely considered as one of the greatest video games of all time, thanks to its unique combat, superb narrative, outstanding soundtrack and its overall originality. It was nominated for several awards at The Game Awards 2015, although managed to win none of them.
UNDERTALE is the story of a human boy, who falls into the Underground, a place under the Earth separated by a magical barrier, meant to imprison monsters. As you take control of the child, you will encounter many monsters and how you interact with them goes a long way. On your journey to reach the Earth’s surface, you’ll off against the King of the Underground. Careful, your actions determine your fate.
7. Stardew Valley
Genre: Simulation | Release Year: 2016 | Rating: 4.5★ | Price: $14.99
You don’t get more indie than Stardew Valley. Developed solely by Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, Stardew Valley is a relaxing, farm-simulation game that is all about taking it easy and doing whatever you want. The game is designed in a pixelated-style and features a melodic soundtrack, as Eric cited the Story of Seasons series as the main inspiration behind the game.
Stardew Valley has your character inherit a small farm from your grandfather in Pelican Town, which is actually a small village. Players must choose from different farm types, each having its own pros and cons, and aim to make it the best farm possible. They’ll also need to maintain healthy relationships with everyone around them and they can even marry them. The game also has multiplayer features.
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8. Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course
Genre: Action, Shooter, Run-and-gun | Release Year: 2019 | Rating: 4.7★ | Price: $26.99
Cuphead is a 2D action shooter that is an ode to the cartoons of old. Studio MDHR‘s quirky and fun shooter cannot help but remind you of the Mickey Mouse cartoons of the 1930’s with its watercolor backdrops, animation style and old-fashioned soundtrack. It was nominated for 5 awards at The Game Awards 2017, and managed to win 3, which included Best Independent Game and Best Art Direction.
Cuphead features back-to-back, tough as nails boss fights, only sometimes giving a break between them in the form of quick and short “run-and-gun” levels. It tells the tale of Cuphead and his brother Mugman, who lose out on a bet to the Devil. He promises not to devour their souls, if they can round up the soul contracts from his debtors by midnight. Determined to save their skins, the duo set out to settle the deal.
The DLC, titled The Delicious Last Course, adds another playable character called Chalice. She was a soul in the previous game, and summons the brothers to an island where they must retrieve the parts required by Chef Saltbaker, to craft her a new body. Players can play as Chalice by consuming an Astral Cookie, also invented by Chef Saltbaker, which allows her to take control of one of the brothers’ body.
9. Neon White
Genre: Action, Anime, First-person shooter, Puzzle platform | Release Year: 2022 | Rating: 4.4★ | Price: $24.99
Developed by Angel Matrix, Neon White is a fast-paced, FPS, puzzle platform game that also features an anime art style and a blood-pumping soundtrack to match. The game follows the story of Neons, a group comprising of sinners in Hell, who are rounded up annually to clear out demons from Heaven. The Neon that manages to defeat the most demons will be granted a permanent residence in Heaven.
You will take control of Neon White, first time contender in this competition. Use your shooting skills and make use of Soul Cards that can be found lying around, to use special powers and abilities. Combine them to create even more deadly effects. Neon White was nominated for the Best Indie Game, and 2 other award categories at The Game Awards 2022.
10. GRIS
Genre: Puzzle, Adventure | Release Year: 2018 | Rating: 4.15★ | Price: $16.99
GRIS, developed by Nomada Studio, is a thought-provoking game that explores themes of grief, sorrow and loss. Featuring minimalist gameplay, a gorgeous art style and a serene soundtrack, GRIS allows you to take in every part of the game and pulls no punches. It was nominated for several awards, and won Best Games for Impact award at The Game Awards 2019.
GRIS narrates the story of a girl named Gris, who wakes up in the hands of a crumbling statue. She attempts to sing and stop it from crumbling, only to find herself choked up and falling in the darkness below. Upon waking up, she looks around the darkness and observes strange structures that are emitting bright lights. Join Gris as she ventures in the darkness to bring back light in her world.
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Start Your Indie Journey Today!
Indie games are diamonds in the rough waiting to be unearthed. You’ll find a great many more games like the ones mentioned on this list and will probably find at least one of every genre. So don’t wait around for the next Pokémon or Zelda release and start your indie journey today!
FAQs
Indie games are games developed by small studios, or even solo developers, on a limited budget without the help of any large studios. Mostly 2D in nature, they feature unique art styles and are priced competitively when compared to AAA-tier games.
Indie games are built by gamers for gamers. Most indie studios and developers like to receive feedback during the development process so that they can release the best possible product. Also, indie games come in all themes and genres, so you don’t have to look too far. They are cheap too.
Hades is the best indie game on the Switch, although Disco Elysium is hard to ignore in terms of its narrative.
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon
