Best Indie Games On Nintendo Switch

Huge AAA titles created by large teams of developers normally dominate the news cycle and get all the fan attention, but indie games can easily deliver just as much entertainment. Just because games are put together by smaller teams doesn't mean they're going to be any better or worse than releases from major studios. In fact, some of the best games released over the last few years have been created by independent developers.

Because indie games generally rely more on word of mouth or positive reviews in order to generate sales, a lot of them can fly under the radar and might be overlooked by players who would otherwise love them. When it comes to the Nintendo Switch, there are a ton of fantastic indie games available for fans to enjoy. These games prove while indie game development is so important, toying around with ideas that AAA developers who want to take minimal risks will never even think about integrating into their games.

Updated on December 1, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: Indie gaming is one of the best things to happen in the gaming industry. Developers without massive budgets but unlimited creative freedom can craft some masterful experiences that fans just can't get enough of. Consoles like the Nintendo Switch give these games a platform to thrive on, letting fans of quirky and well-developed games enjoy the passion projects of smaller teams, which sometimes comprise just one person! *A video version of the article was also added, showcasing ten great indie games from this list!

15 Furi - A Boss-Rush With A High Skill Ceiling

Metascore: 77

Furi is one of the toughest Nintendo Switch games that players can find, but attempting this challenge is quite satisfying. The game is a boss rush title with a unique story, where players fight against some challenging foes that force them into a cycle of pattern recognition and muscle memory.

The game can seem rather unfair at times, but it won't take long for players to conquer this title's immense challenge and come out victorious against every boss. The additional encounters in the DLC are also pretty tough, with most players loving the act of beating the nightmarish Bernard after a long and grueling encounter.

14 Katana ZERO - Hardcore, Fast-Paced Action

Metascore: 83

Players looking for an action-packed title that will punish their mistakes severely will love what Katana ZERO has to offer. The game lets players control a mysterious assassin who carried out several killings, eventually drawing the ire of stronger foes and the very people who hired him in the first place.

It's an excellent title that makes players feel amazing as they slice and dice their way through numerous foes without taking a single hit in the process. This isn't a flex — players need to get through the levels without taking a single hit since doing so leads to their progress being reset to the beginning of each stage!

13 Wargroove - A Love Letter To A Classic Game

Metascore: 84

Wargroove is only the second game developed in-house by Chucklefish, the publisher of Stardew Valley. While it might remind players of the Advance Wars series, Wargroove makes use of a fantasy setting for its turn-based tactical combat instead.

There are several commanders and a wide range of powerful units available to choose from, coupled with a solid story that players will likely find engaging from start to finish. There's also plenty to do outside the single-player campaign, with online multiplayer, a puzzle mode, and the ability to create one's own battles.

12 Shovel Knight - Retro Platforming Fun

Metascore: 85

Yacht Club Games managed to crowdfund Shovel Knight, and they delivered a lot more than their backers might have expected at the time. Shovel Knight is a retro platformer that has spawned two different spin-off games, and a lot of that is down to its great level design, interesting characters, and surprisingly fun combat.

Not only does Shovel Knight have a great new game plus option that increases the difficulty dramatically, but it also has plenty of DLC available for players who haven't got enough when the original game ends.

11 Cadence Of Hyrule: Crypt Of The NecroDancer Featuring The Legend Of Zelda - A Fun Rhythm-Based Dungeon Crawler

Metascore: 85

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer is an amazing combination of rhythm-based gameplay and roguelike dungeon-crawler elements that ended up being a massive hit across the board. The game's simple yet tantalizing gameplay loop coupled with a wealth of amazing tunes led to the title becoming a smash hit to the point where Nintendo contacted the developer to make a crossover game featuring elements from The Legend of Zelda series.

The end result was Cadence of Hyrule, an excellent Switch exclusive that fans should definitely check out for its unique gameplay. The familiar tones of the series have been remixed with great panache and let players rock out as they beat down numerous enemies to the tune of the beat.

10 Cuphead - Running And Gunning In The 1930s

Metascore: 86

Cuphead makes good use of the classic cartoon art style to display an interesting and unique storyline. While the artistic choices are what initially attracted a lot of players, the fact that Cuphead is one of the best modern run-and-gun games is what made them fall in love.

Players take control of Cuphead while a second can use his brother Mugman to repossess souls for the Devil, using a variety of different abilities in order to do so. It's a fun and challenging game that any fans of the run-and-gun genre will enjoy.

9 Omori - A Psychological-Horror JRPG That Subverts Many Genre Tropes

Metascore: 87

RPG Maker games have a bad rep for being lazy and generic, so it's clear that Omori has done something really special with the engine to be labeled by many as one of the best RPGs ever made. The game deals with some dark themes and is not suitable for everyone.

However, players who give Omori a shot and can stomach its psychological horror elements will be more than pleased with what's on offer here. The game is a memorable, thought-provoking journey with an incredible twist that will keep fans reeling long after they've rolled credits.

8 Night In The Woods - A Story-Driven Adventure

Metascore: 88

A game with an amazing narrative that will keep players hooked, Night in the Woods deals with a bunch of anthropomorphic characters in the small town of Possum Springs who have to deal with the many ways this place has changed over time. It's a simple yet excellent premise that is further supplemented by great writing across the board.

The manner in which this game tackles real-world issues is extremely impressive and goes to show just how well-handled the game's overall themes are. Players who want to play through an indie game with a great story will love what Night in the Woods brings to the table.

7 Slay The Spire - Every Card Matters

Metascore: 89

Slay The Spire is a fantastic rogue-like deck-builder that feels like it was built with the Switch in mind. MegaCrit did a great job of developing a game that can be picked up and put down at any moment, something that the platform is known for.

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A full run through all four acts can take a while but many runs will end before act one is over and leave players desperate for another attempt to climb the game's tower. With four different characters each having a few deck-building options, the replay value is huge.

6 Stardew Valley - Not Just A Farming Simulator

Metascore: 89

Stardew Valley is the epitome of why many people enjoy indie games, as every detail of it feels like a labor of love. It's a farming simulator with so much more to enjoy than just that, including relationship-building, mining, and basic combat.

Stardew Valley has short days that give players regular breaks while also encouraging them to continue for just one more. It's a charming and fun experience with a lot of replay value, and Stardew Valley is one of the most iconic indie games for a good reason.