Contents
More than home to some of the Big N’s most renowned franchises, the Nintendo Switch is also home to independent games that take great advantage of the hybrid system’s portability. It is very difficult to think of indie games that end up being left out of the platform, and that is why there is a huge catalog with titles for all tastes – from more punishing experiences like Hollow Knight to farm simulators like Stardew Valley.
For that reason, the voxel brings, in the following lines, a list of “indispensable” games for the Nintendo Switch. Chances are good that several of them will end up among your favorites. In addition, several of them are constantly on sale in the console’s digital store. Check out:
Hollow Knight
Produced by Team Cherry, Hollow Knight is a 2D metroidvania that draws on the soulslike subgenre popularized by games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne. The game stands out for its responsive gameplay and hand-drawn visuals, which bring to life a gloomy world inhabited mainly by bizarre insects.
The game was so successful that its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, is among the most anticipated titles for the Nintendo Switch and is consistently trending on Nintendo Direct days due to expectations of new announcements.
stardew valley
Produced and published by Eric Barone (ConcernedApe), Stardew Valley takes great inspiration from the Harvest Moon franchise and delivers a farm RPG that mixes management mechanics, relationships and even combat, with the possibility of exploring caves in search of ores and other secrets . The game features Brazilian Portuguese localization and cooperative multiplayer for up to four players.
Cuphead
Cuphead was originally released as an Xbox exclusive, but it soon made its way to other platforms and where it was also hugely successful. The 2D shooter and platform game features beautiful hand-drawn graphics, inspired by American cartoons from the 1930s, and is referred to as one of the most challenging titles today. It draws attention mainly for the creative design of bosses and scenarios.
hades
Contestant for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020, Hades was produced by Supergiant Games (Bastion and Transistor) and is an action roguelike in which the player takes control of Zagreus, who must battle mythological enemies to escape the infernal Underworld. To do this, he will have skills given by the gods of Olympus, which can be found each round.
Streets of Rage 4
SEGA’s famous street fighting franchise is back and better than ever from Dotemu. The French studio has been working masterfully with several retro brands in the gaming world and, in Streets of Rage 4, fans can expect an experience faithful to the classics, but with a more modern look – with 2D hand-drawn graphics, new characters and multiplayer for up to four players.
blasphemous
Produced by The Game Kitchen and published by Team17, Blasphemous is a pixel art action and platform game that also draws inspiration from the soulslike subgenre. The game draws attention mainly for its visceral combat, with completely violent cutscenes and endings. It also promises an intense narrative set in the desolate kingdom of Cvstodia. Its world is also non-linear and, like all good metroidvania, it requires exploration and players revisit locations to discover new secrets and enemies.
Horizon Chase Turbo
Produced by the Brazilian studio Aquiris, Horizon Chase Turbo rescues all the nostalgia of the times of Top Gear, from the Super Nintendo, for the present day. This is the kind of game that doesn’t hide its inspirations from classic 90’s arcade racing and offers a lot of speed and a rousing soundtrack. It is also worth mentioning the launch of additional content based on Ayrton Senna that brings a new way of playing in first person, in addition to new tracks and playable vehicles.
Unsighted
Produced by Brazilians Tiani Pixel and Fernanda Dias from Studio Pixel Punk, Unsighted is an isometric action-adventure game that tells the story of Alma, an automaton who finds herself without memories in a ruined world after a war against humans. All automatons have their days numbered due to the shortage of Anima, a necessary resource for the existence of the species, and this translates into gameplay mechanics, with the risk of even important NPCs ceasing to exist if they are not saved by the player.
Among the highlights of the game are also its beautiful graphics in pixel art, in addition to the freedom to explore the vast world of Arcadia and a versatile combat system that allows you to try different combinations and styles.
The Messenger
With great inspirations in the classic Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi, The Messenger was developed by Sabotage and puts players in control of a ninja who must cross a cursed world to deliver a scroll necessary for the survival of his clan. It is interesting to note how the game alternates between 8 and 16-bit graphics in its gameplay segments, in addition to allowing gameplay improvements and the discovery of alternative paths.
katana zero
If you like stylish and dynamic games, Katana Zero is a must buy. Produced by Askiisoft, the game features excellent pixel art graphics and fast-paced gameplay, with instant death, which allows you to dodge, return projectiles and even manipulate time to complete stages in several different ways.
Spiritfarer
Following the line of farm games, Spiritfarer is a relaxing management game that seeks to approach death in a very sensitive and comforting way. The player takes control of Stella, a new spirit boatwoman who must appease the wandering souls and guide them to the afterlife. Players can build a boat that meets all needs, in addition to planting, mining, cooking and exploring islands that are in the surroundings.
