Are you tired of playing mainstream games and want something fresh and different? We have you covered with this ultimate list of the best indie games on Switch that you can play. These games are some of the most critically acclaimed indie games that break away from traditional styles of gameplay. Jump into the world of excitement with these creative games!
Table of Contents
Stardew Valley
Are you looking for a fun and relaxing game to play on your Nintendo Switch? Stardew Valley is the game for you—It’s one of the best indie games on Switch. This game is highly acclaimed and loved by gamers from all around the world. You will start this game off by inheriting a rundown farm from your grandfather. You need to bring it back to life by growing crops, raising animals, befriending the townspeople, and even exploring caves. Along the way, you will complete quests, earn money, and maybe even get married!
Stardew Valley is such a special game being it is tranquil and appeals to gamers of all types. You can play this game by yourself or with up to three other friends. Grab your switch and start building your farm! Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Metacritic Score: 87/100
IGN Rating: 9.5/10
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is an excellent option among the best indie games on Switch because it will bring you on an epic adventure. In this game, you take on the role of a knight who is on a quest to explore Hallownest, an underground fallen kingdom. You will battle enemies, uncover upgrades and abilities, and explore a vast world filled with surprises. What really sets this game apart is the beautiful hand-drawn art style.
This game is a single-player game that will give you such an in-depth and exciting gameplay experience that will keep you wanting more. This game offers an incredibly rewarding playthrough because it’s quite a challenging game. Critics and gamers have praised Hollow Knight for its visuals and it’s obvious why. This game won an Independent Game of The Year award in 2018, as well as many others. Dive into the unforgettable world of Hollow Knight today!
Metacritic Score: 90/100
IGN Rating: 9.4/10
Hades
Hades is a top contender on our list of best indie games on Switch because of its amazing adventure gameplay and its popularity. This game comes highly recommended by the gaming community. In Hades, you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades and prince of the underworld. Your goal in this game is to fight your way out of the realm and escape from your father. Battle your way out of the underworld to try to get to your mother, Persephone. This game is divided into four main dungeons, each representing different areas in the underworld.
Hades is a challenging and thrilling roguelike and dungeon-crawling game with a lot to offer. Critics and gamers alike have deemed this game a must-play and we agree completely. With its engaging storyline, intense gameplay, and beautiful visuals, this game will entertain you for endless hours. Grab your switch and fight your way out of the underworld right now!
Metacritic Score: 93/100
IGN Rating: 9/10
Cuphead
Get ready for a blast from the past with Cuphead, easily one of the best indie games on Switch that you can play. This game is unique with its 1930s-style animation and cartoon graphics. In this game, you play as Cuphead who has made a deal with the devil. Cuphead is now on a mission to repossess souls. You need to battle your way through increasingly difficult levels while facing off against very challenging bosses. Your final mission will be to take down the devil himself.
Cuphead allows for single-player or co-op. In co-op, you will play as Cuphead and the other player will be your brother, Mugman. This game is critically acclaimed and has won tons of awards for its fantastic gameplay. If you are someone who loves a challenge or is a fan of retro-styled video games, you have to give this game a try!
Metacritic Score: 87/100
IGN Rating: 8.8/10
Ori and the Blind Forest
Ori and the Blind Forest is an enchanting and emotional 2D Metroidvania-style adventure game. Many gamers deem this game to be one of the best indie games on Switch, which makes sense because of its extremely high ratings. In this game, players will control Ori and Sein. Ori is a small guardian spirit who was ripped from the spirit tree when he was a baby and becomes an orphan. Sein is the light and eyes of the Forest’s spirit tree and moves around as an orb. You will need to play as both of the characters to successfully beat puzzles and fight enemies. Your ultimate goal is to save the forest of Nibel from dying.
Ori and the Blind Forest has been critically acclaimed and so many gamers cannot say enough good things about this game. The game’s storyline, art, and music have been praised, winning multiple awards for it. There is a sequel that has come out for this game as well, which is equally loved by the community. This is a single-player game that offers so much fun content to play through. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem of a game!
Metacritic Score: 90/100
IGN Rating: 8.5/10
Check out Ori and the Blind Forest!
Celeste
Celeste is a game that has won the hearts of many gamers, making it one of the best indie games on Switch that you need to give a try as soon as possible. This game features a main character named Madeline, who is struggling with her mental health. She is determined to climb the dangerous Celeste Mountain to rebuild her self-esteem and feel better. You must navigate through challenging levels that require you to run, jump, climb, and dash. The game is made up of eight beautifully crafted chapters that are full of obstacles, puzzles, and surprises.
The mountain is said to be haunted, which adds to the thrill of the game. Celeste follows a girl who is on a physical and emotional journey. This is a single-player game that offers tons of content that will keep you engaged for hours on end. It has been nominated for and won numerous awards for its excellent gameplay, gorgeous visuals, and emotional storyline. If you haven’t played Celeste yet, it’s worth giving a try if you are looking for a new indie game on Switch!
Metacritic Score: 92/100
IGN Rating: 10/10
Risk of Rain
Risk of Rain is action-packed and one of the best indie games on Switch. In this game, you will play a survivor of a space crash on a strange planet teaming with monsters that you must fight your way through. The more alien monsters that you kill, the more powerful you become, which allows you to upgrade your fighting and defensive abilities. You must locate the teleporter, which is always placed in a random location on the level. And don’t think the game will get easier as it goes on, as it will increase in difficulty as time goes by.
You can play Risk of Rain solo or with a friend. However, be careful, because the game ends when you die. It ends immediately upon death when played in single-player player, otherwise ending when both players die in multiplayer. This is a thrilling and intense game that requires skills and teamwork.
Metacritic Score: 77/100
IGN Rating: 7.5/10
Golf Story
Golf Story is a very unique game that makes our list of best indie games to play on Switch. This game takes a top-down perspective, which offers a different style of gameplay and visuals. In this game, you play as a golfer who has fallen out of love with the game but badly wants to revive his passion for it. He wants to impress his estranged wife by competing again.
Golf Story has eight different areas to play through that are filled with their own unique quests and mini-games. You will earn XP and money, which will improve your character’s skills and equipment. You will find a nine-hole golf course in each area that can play, which will require you to aim, power up, and hit the ball. This game is very different than most other games that you will find with its gameplay and storyline.
Metacritic Score: 78/100
IGN Rating: 7.5/10
Human: Fall Flat
If you are looking for a lighthearted game that fits the bill of being one of the best indie games on Switch, then you need to give Human: Fall Flat a try. This comical physics puzzle game is perfect for couples or groups. You will need to work together with other players to complete challenging levels full of puzzles to solve. The unique physics on this game is what really sets it apart from others in this genre. Movement, climbing, and picking things up are hilariously different from other games.
Take your time and relax while solving puzzles with your friends. The gameplay of Human: Fall Flat is goofy and challenging. The developers come out with new maps randomly throughout the year for added content. You can play this game with up to 8 people online. Try this game and see what all the fuss is about!
Metacritic Score: 65/100
IGN Score: 7.9/10
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire is an incredible roguelike game that is quite different than other games on this list but is absolutely one of the best indie games on Switch to play. Each playthrough of this game will result in different experiences due to the nature of the game. You will play as one of four types of available characters as you attempt to ascend the spire, which is made up of multiple floors. Every floor is randomly generated, which makes for an unexpected experience every time. Along the way, you will fight a variety of enemies and bosses. The big thing that makes this game stand out from the rest is that it’s turn-based and combat takes place through a card game system.
Due to the turn-based style of the game, you will need to strategically plan out the best possible deck and your next move. Once you get the hang of this game, it becomes very addictive and fun. According to the rave reviews that this game has, many people also agree! Slay the Spire has won many reviews throughout the years, including Best Strategy Game of 2019 by IGN. If you weren’t sold on this game before, you should give it a go now!
Metacritic Score: 85/100
IGN Rating: 9/10
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a must-play Metroidvania game that has earned its spot on our list of the best indie games on Switch. You will play as the Prisoner in this game, who has awoken on an island with amnesia. To escape, you need to fight your way out of the disease-filled island. Each level is procedurally generated and absolutely teeming with enemies, traps, and bosses. You must fight the monsters on your way to kill the King.
Dead Cells is a very challenging game that will test your limits. Be careful not to die, as this game has permanent death mechanics, which will force you to start over upon death. As a result, of this style of game, beating it is extremely rewarding and satisfying. This game boasts a wonderful art style and soundtrack that make it truly enjoyable for someone who loves indie action games.
Metacritic Score: 89/100
IGN Rating: 9.5/10
Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuary is a commonly mentioned game that people recommend as one of the best indie games on Switch. This game offers a unique twist on the turn-based style RPG genre. Monster Sanctuary has a Metroidvania-style gameplay, where you will take part in a thrilling adventure where you will tame, collect, and train monsters that will help aid you in combat. This game is all about exploring the world and using your monster’s unique abilities. You will have over a hundred monsters to choose from to form your own team.
Monster Sanctuary has a very compelling storyline and all enemies will progressively get harder as the game goes on. You will need careful planning and strategy to form a team that fits your needs. The graphics in this game are impressive, along with a wealth of content to give you a deep gameplay experience.
Metacritic Score: 74/100
Into the Breach
Into the Breach is an extremely fun and thrilling indie game that has captured the hearts of gamers for many years now. This is a turn-based strategy game that takes place in the future. Humanity is fighting for its survival against a group of monsters called the Vek. You will control soldiers who pilot mechs that you can equip with different types of weapons and armor. The mission for you is to protect both humans and the power grid that supports your mechs. When a human structure gets damaged, your power grid will be weakened.
Into the Breach has a game style that forces you to carefully plan your next moves and attacks. Every success that you have will feel well-earned and rewarding. This game can be quite challenging but offers a lot of entertainment and fun, making it a must-try for gamers who like indie games. It’s no wonder it won multiple awards for Best Indie Game in 2018.
Metacritic Score: 89/100
IGN Rating: 9/10
Fez
If you are looking for one of the best indie games on Switch that offers you a very charming gameplay experience, then you need to check out Fez. If the visuals and gameplay style aren’t enough to win you over, the unique storyline will. In this game, you play as Gomez who lives in a two-dimensional world until he discovers a fez. This fez allows him to perceive a third dimension, which changes everything. Fez is a unique game in the fact that you must use a rotation of abilities and perception shifting to solve puzzles to successfully complete levels.
Fez prioritizes the use of puzzle-solving, strategy, and patience to master the game. This game received critical acclaim for its very original gameplay, visuals, and music. If you are looking for a cute and tricky game that has nostalgic vibes, you need to give Fez a try.
Metacritic Score: 91/100
IGN Score: 9.5/10
Steamworld Dig
Steamworld Dig is the last on our list of best indie games on Switch but you will not regret giving this game a chance. This is an engaging game where you get to explore a world full of steampunk charm while mining for ores and digging for treasure. You play as a robot named Rusty who has to search mines hidden under the town of Tumbleton. These mines will be unique and different every time you play, so you never know what you might find.
As you make your way through this game, you’ll get new abilities and upgrade your tools. Upgrades will make you better able to fight the enemies that you come across. However be warned, if you die in the mines, you will lose what you have collected and respawn at the surface. Navigate your way back to your stuff and continue onward. With its distinctive blend of mining, exploration, and combat you won’t be able to put this game down.
Metacritic Score: 75/100
IGN Rating: 9.5/10