Nintendo Switch

Indie games on Switch that are absolutely worth your time



It’s me again. Every four or five months, I come in here and recommend some actual hidden gems for you to check out. I want to help people since the eShop browsing features are so terrible and the sheer amount of shovelware garbage is unreal.

Obviously more obscure games only. Pikmin 4 doesn’t need my help. Neither do Celeste, or Dead Cells, or Stardew, Night in the Woods, you get it.

Full list of recommendations so far, for you to check the consistency of my voice and my tastes:

**Akane / Lucah: Born of a Dream / Thumper / Subsurface Circular / 20XX / CrossCode / Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX / Mutazione / Splasher / Sayonara Wild Hearts / Wandersong / Sakuna of Rice and Ruin / Paradise Killer / Unsighted / The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa / TouHou Luna Nights / Dodgeball Academia / Wolfstride / DUSK / Haak / MO: Astray / Into the Breach**

*(Here are all my other threads, any games on that list will not be listed again!* [*first thread*](https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/lj85o9/5_awesome_indie_games_on_switch_you_maybe_dont/)*,* [*second thread*](https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/ovya4r/5_more_awesome_indie_games_on_switch_you_maybe/)*,* [*third thread*](https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/rwyeuk/more_awesome_indie_games_you_maybe_dont_know/)*,* [*fourth thread*](https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/v7apql/part_iv_more_actual_switch_hidden_gems_not_celeste/)*,* [*fifth thread*](https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/v7apql/part_iv_more_actual_switch_hidden_gems_not_celeste/)*,* [*sixth thread*](https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/10dxnxv/5_awesome_indie_games_consoleexclusive_to_switch/)*)*

And let me say this, I play a lot of games. Most indie games I play do NOT make it on these lists. I’m looking for quality, polished, banging ass titles to share here. You will see me get hyperbole here. I am not easily impressed, it’s just that the stuff that didn’t make me feel this way isn’t on here.

# Gravity Circuit

[https:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/store\/products\/gravity-circuit-switch\/](https://preview.redd.it/i06ymqsggedb1.jpg?width=752&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf6c91a579e1994b591971300c118055f595ee21)

Incredible 2D action platformer, a Mega Man clone or Mega Man 2.0 even. It’s got the look of classic Mega Man, the movement of Mega Man X and the weapons of Mega Man Zero, all wrapped up in Kamen Rider vibes for the character designs. Only difference is it’s more focused on short range melee combat than firing. You can actually pick up corpses of enemies and throw them making for insane chains if done right. Tough as nails platforming focused on short range action, 8 robot boss stages to choose from.

What matters here and what elevates this far above the likes of Super Alloy Ranger, is how GOOD it feels to control. It’s buttery smooth. It’s got the Sonic spinjump even which feels so good. Amazing pixel visuals with a limited color palette that allows for depth and accents like a Watchmen style comic book, but tons of depth in the backgrounds, and a BANGING OST.

It is Mega Man length. Keep in mind. Highly replayable. Do not miss.

# Fight N Rage

[https:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/store\/products\/fightn-rage-switch\/](https://preview.redd.it/htssgztcgedb1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8a0b7287978c3a20e55d83947f8db3224e9701d3)

The best beatemup on the system, bar none. I played Streets of Rage 4, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge, BOTH River City Girls, Scott Pilgrim. Fight N Rage is the best of them all. The fluidity of the animation and overall smooth controls are a big plus. I like games that FEEL good to play, no clunky controls like Vigil. That’s why I like Nintendo in the first place. Couple that with amazing combos – this ain’t no two button show like SoR 4. It’s almost like a fighting game. The stick is involved in the inputs.

You can get crazy with it and the game never says no to you, it never slows down, at times it feels like it’s plucking enemies out of its ass to throw at you.

Great pixel aesthetic and rocknroll soundtrack. Fantastic 90s character designs, they ooze style.

What ties the package is a fantastic, diverse, and actually worth it list of collectible rewards for completing different tasks which gives replayability a tangible reward. I got 30 hours into this game just getting all the collectibles. It gives my brain an excuse to just keep playing more and more.

# NeverAwake

[https:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/store\/products\/neverawake-switch\/](https://preview.redd.it/o0havrpjgedb1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a265ab130090919ef7356b38d1855e5530bdb9a)

A fantastic on-rails twin stick shooter with a very unique art style. Great level design and pacing. Just a fantastic shooter. I won’t waste your time, this is the best on-rails twin stick shooter I played, maybe ever. Watch a video, if you like, you’ll like, I promise you.

**Pronty: Fishy Adventure**

[https:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/store\/products\/pronty-switch\/](https://preview.redd.it/mnf8ccdbhedb1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c8035f2cefe6d2dbe21cbab1b4ee7a7d8b95beba)

It’s a fishy Metroidvania. You play as Pronty and swim around, full game is underwater. Let me be clear here: do not come here for the combat. There is combat, it’s simple and kinda bad from a design perspective. It won’t make you angry but it won’t excite you. The art style, freaky underwater designs and sense of adventure and discovery are gonna have to carry hard for you here. Metroidvania map is well put together. If you want that, and like Bioshock aesthetics (freaky underwater gone wrong type beat) but hand drawn, play it. I loved all the eye candy and the controls are great.

**Bladed Fury**

[https:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/store\/products\/bladed-fury-switch\/](https://preview.redd.it/io7za62ehedb1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a89998da79b7b6329e297cfc134e33d4e87fdf9b)

This one is oddly specific, but this is my experience and I cannot ignore it in good conscience. Are you fiending for Muramasa: The Demon Blade, like me? I’m actually having Muramasa withdrawal symptoms. Did you play Sword of the Vagrant hoping you could get a fix and were culture shocked at the terribly stiff controls and awkward ass animations? Well, play Bladed Fury instead. You’ll get your fix.

ACTUAL DISCLAIMER: it’s 2 hours long. I warned you. You get your fix and you get out. Pay accordingly. I did, and I’m genuinely happier than I was before playing the game.

by owlitup

45 Comments

  1. RockwellB1

    I’ve not seen your posts before, I’ll have to check out some of these games. After I eventually get around to buying Iconoclasts that is. Loved that game on Vita, need it on Switch.

  2. JesterTheMasses

    This is why I love posts like these. I play so many indie games and I haven’t played any of these yet.

  4. AirMcFreez

    Baba is You is a fun puzzle game until he gets REALLY hard

  5. specificinterestacc

    I like the structure of this post, it’s like an article.

  6. DerpCarnage

    I enjoyed my time with Samurai Bringer because it has such a good variety in personal customization and was challenging. I suggest people give it a look.

  7. PoorMansCornCob

    Thanks for the recommendations will check out your others. A game I don’t see mentioned often is Cozy Grove. If anyone is into Stardew valley, animal crossing, etc they will probably like it. It’s meant to be for relaxed short daily play but has some deep story lines.

  8. tboy1492

    Dredge, good lol fishing game with lovecraftian elements, or a good lovecraftian game with fishing elements, can’t decide but I love it best it twice now

  9. ijiessur

    I loved Eastward. Worth the price of entry for the music alone

  10. PuzzleheadedNovel987

    Hue is another really good puzzle game. It’s challenging to wrap your brain around changing the background colour to make items appear or hide them. Makes for an interesting play through

  13. t3m6

    Great post! Saving for when my backlog clears a bit

  14. Sad_Blood_4080

    Try cassette beasts if you’re into pokemon like games

  17. Ill_Coat4776

    Hey, here’s a suggestion for a new indie game coming out in a week for you to play! The Master’s Pupil is a indie game that took 7 years to make because the creator literally HANDPAINTED everything before importing them to the software. It’s a puzzle/platformer and looks gorgeous. Since you review indie games, thought I’d tell you about it 🙂

  20. Thehibernator

    Friends of Ringo Ishikawa was fucking spectacular

  21. doubleamobes

    Muramasa really, really needs to come to the switch

  22. Daftest_of_the_Punks

    I just received my limited run, physical copy of The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa today. Can’t wait to dig in.

  25. ChaosOnline

    For me, two of the best indie games on Switch are Gnosia and Streets of Rogue.

    Streets of Rogue is an amazing roguelike where you work your way through levels of a city, completing objectives. The game really encourages creative thinking with how many ways there are to go about solving problems.

    And Gnosia is like Among Us if it were a single-player visual novel. Its super fun and innovative and has some really amazing characters. Absolutely worth a play.

  26. merle_

    idk about Pronty. It definitely is nice to look at but control feels clunky and sluggish. I think it was meant for mouse and keyboard. It does have good art direction.

  28. Jibsie

    Always gotta recommend Master Blaster Zero when talking indies, same devs as gunvolt

  29. mvanvrancken

    I’m asshole deep in Tears of the Kingdom, but I’m always hunting for indie titles to take breaks with, lately I’ve been playing a lot of Cassette Beasts which has its hooks in me deep now.

    Basically it’s like Pokemon without the branding and a LOT better polish.

  30. Fluffy-Argument

    I didn’t see Hades on that list. It’s great

  31. Code2008

    I would recommend To The Moon then. It’s a great story-telling game.

  32. euan-forrester

    Awesome list! Looking forward to playing these! Thank you!

  34. wedgiey1

    Love this post but I gotta say I’d have expected Into the Breach to be in the same category as Celeste.

  35. owl_babies

    I just finished my first run of Gravity Circuit. Great game, although I don’t think it will surpass Shovel Knight for me.

  36. TazzmFyrflaym

    *thumbs up* Sakuna of Rice & Ruin is the only game i’ve heard of on this list, but i do whole-heartedly support it getting more screen time amongst players.

  37. Galaxy40k

    Fight N Rage is a top 5 beat em up, there, I said it.

    And as a person who has perpetual Vanillaware Withdrawal…Bladed Fury looks like a must grab

  38. dungeon-raided

    Might I recommend Dicey Dungeons for this list? It’s a DELIGHTFUL dice-based roguelike RPG

  39. soulruu

    Neverawake looks pretty cool. Is it newbie approachable? I’m pretty sucky at shmups but it looks really fun

  41. FutureGenesis97

    Thanks, for your hard work! It’s greatly appreciated.

  44. killingnik

    > Are you fiending for Muramasa: The Demon Blade, like me? I’m actually having Muramasa withdrawal symptoms.

    Wtf, how are you diagnosing me so clearly?

    Thanks for the treatment plan lol

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