Team CherryMost people probably bought their Nintendo Switch for the incredible Nintendo-made games: “Super Mario Odyssey,” “Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” and “Mario Kart 8” are all critically acclaimed top sellers.
But one of the best aspects of the Nintendo Switch is its ever-growing library of “indie” games from smaller-scale or independent publishers.
Nintendo lovingly calls these games “Nindies.”
Indie games are perfect for the Nintendo Switch. Since they tend to be smaller and not as visually complex as console games like “Call of Duty,” these games often run very smoothly on Nintendo’s hardware — and they’re affordable, too. But the best part is that you can take these addictive games with you: Unlike the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, any game you play on the Switch in your living room can also be played while on the go, which is perfect for long commutes or trips.
If you’re wondering where to start, these are the 13 best indie games for the Nintendo Switch that are worth your money:
Stardew Valley
From Nintendo:
“You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home?“
Price: $15
Super Meat Boy
From Nintendo:
“Super Meat Boy is a tough as nails platformer where you play as an animated cube of meat who’s trying to save his girlfriend (who happens to be made of bandages) from an evil fetus in a jar wearing a tux.”
Price: $15
Enter the Gungeon
From Nintendo:
“Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler following a band of misfits seeking to shoot, loot, dodge roll and table-flip their way to personal absolution by reaching the legendary Gungeon’s ultimate treasure: the gun that can kill the past.”
Price: $15
Hollow Knight
From Nintendo:
“An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.”
Price: $15
Celeste
From Nintendo:
“Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight, hand-crafted platformer from the creators of multiplayer classic TowerFall.
“The controls are simple and accessible – simply jump, air-dash, and climb – but with layers of expressive depth to master, where every death is a lesson. Lightning-fast respawns keep you climbing as you uncover the mysteries of the mountain and brave its many perils.”
Price: $20
Dead Cells
From Nintendo:
“Dead Cells puts you in control of a failed alchemic experiment trying to figure out what’s happening on a sprawling, ever-changing and seemingly cursed Island. Tough but fair combat, responsive controls, challenging foes, permadeath and of course, the emergency panic roll to get you out of trouble, make for a demanding, visceral and cathartic action game.”
Price: $25
Golf Story
From Nintendo:
“Golf Story combines the sheer excitement of golf with a serious story that plays out over 8 different courses. Play the story of a golfer who is forced to give up all that he holds dear for one last shot at accomplishing his dreams. But all is not so simple in the world of golf. To best today’s players you have to be able to keep up with them both on and off the course.”
Price: $15
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (includes three Shovel Knight games: “Shovel of Hope,” “Plague of Shadows,” and “Specter of Torment”
From Nintendo:
“Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the full and complete edition of Shovel Knight, a sweeping classic action adventure game series with awesome gameplay, memorable characters, and an 8-bit retro aesthetic!
“Become Shovel Knight, wielder of the Shovel Blade, as he runs, jumps, and battles in a quest for his lost beloved. Take down the nefarious knights of the Order of No Quarter and their menacing leader, The Enchantress.”
Price: $25
Thumper
From Nintendo:
“Thumper is rhythm violence: classic rhythm-action, blistering speed, and brutal physicality. You are a space beetle. Brave the hellish void and confront a maniacal giant head from the future.”
Price: $20
Battle Chef Brigade
From Nintendo:
“In the fantasy realm of Victusia, the members of the elite Battle Chef Brigade are revered for their ability to skillfully take down monsters and transform their kills into delicious cuisine! But getting in isn’t easy; chefs from across Victusia must vie for their spot in a high stakes competition.
“In order to become a Brigadier you’ll need to hunt monsters with combo-based attacks and prepare your freshly caught ingredients in puzzle-based cooking challenges to serve up winning dishes to the judges – all while the round clock ticks down.”
Price: $20
Overcooked! Special Edition
From Nintendo:
“Working as a team, you and your fellow chefs must prepare, cook and serve up a variety of tasty orders before the baying customers storm out in a huff. Sharpen your knives and dust off your chef’s whites, there isn’t mushroom for error and the steaks are high in these crazy kitchens!”
Price: $20
Note: If you like “Overcooked!,” “Overcooked! 2” is now available. It costs $25.
Gorogoa
From Nintendo:
“Gorogoa is an elegant evolution of the puzzle genre, told through a beautifully hand-drawn story designed and illustrated by Jason Roberts.”
Price: $15
Floor Kids
From Nintendo:
“Floor Kids is a new breakdance battle game featuring unique freestyle gameplay, rhythm challenges, and multiplayer sessions. Discover stylized hand-drawn graphics by award-winning animator JonJon set to an original soundtrack by world-renowned scratch DJ/producer Kid Koala.”
Price: $12
