Summary
- Nintendo Switch relies on indie games to fill the gaps between major releases, offering a variety of genres to keep players entertained.
- Balatro, The Plucky Squire, and Little Kitty: Big City are must-play indie titles with unique gameplay experiences and captivating narratives.
- These indie games, like A Short Hike and Sea of Stars, showcase the versatility and creativity of small developers on the Switch platform.
It is no secret that Nintendo's formula for success involves incredible first-party games and a lovable roster of characters. However, Nintendo also relies on titles from third parties and indie developers to fill the void between its next major launch. Indie games have shone on their hardware due to their consistent versatility and portability.
RelatedThe Best Nintendo Switch Games Of All Time
The Nintendo Switch has dominated since its launch in 2017, and now we have a vast selection of fantastic games to take on the go.
Posts By Sam HallahanThe Nintendo Switch is no exception to this trend. Its eShop contains hundreds of independent titles that span nearly every genre imaginable. It's common to be overwhelmed by options when looking for something new to play, but these indie games will keep you entertained for hours at a time — either at home or on the go.
Updated on March 28, 2025, by Jerel Levy: From Game of the Year nominee to bonafide indie standout, Balatro is a brilliant title worth playing on your Nintendo Switch. Already a perfect choice for indies due to its nature as a console, bring Balatro to your Switch screen along with some of these other impeccable indie titles you should be playing.
31 Balatro
You don't need to know how to play before you begin, but once you do start playing, you won't want to stop. Imagine playing poker but as a roguelike game. That's right, Balatro takes the deck-building aspect of video games and combines it with a roguelike with poker at its center.
You'll be challenging yourself over and over, and when you start to feel the difficulty increase, the satisfaction of unlocking new ways to get score multipliers and other cards will vastly impact how you've been playing overall. There's a reason this little indie could make its way to the Game of the Year awards for 2024.
Balatro Like Follow Followed Strategy Digital Card Game Roguelike Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 92/100 Critics Rec: 100% Released February 20, 2024 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Gambling Themes Developer(s) LocalThunk Publisher(s) Playstack Engine LÖVEWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTION30 The Plucky Squire
A unique entry in the indie space, this 2D and 3D hybrid of a game follows the childhood storybook hero Jot through his adventures on and off the page. One of the most unique and innovative titles to come to the Switch, you'll enjoy the puzzles in each level and the creativity surrounding the game.
With unique artwork that pops on an OLED Switch screen and a beautiful presentation in both the 2D and #d sections, the switch is the ideal place to play The Plucky Squire. It's perfect for on-the-go or grab-and-go gaming and proves what indie titles can truly do when innovating in the genre.
4.0/5 The Plucky Squire Like Follow Followed Platformer Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 82/100 Critics Rec: 85% Released September 17, 2024 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence Developer(s) All Possible Futures Publisher(s) Devolver Digital Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL29 Little Kitty: Big City
You can never go wrong with being able to play as a cat. For an adorable, and cuddly good time, Little Kitty: Big City is a game that's a purrrectly good fit for cat lovers and cozy game lovers alike. The cat simulation allows you to play as a little kitty in... a big city.
There are so many cat mannerisms that will leave a small on your face as you emulate a kitty in its daily life. You'll explore the city and deal with puzzles centered around everyday life for a little kitty. Explore, stretch, and live out your cat life dreams in this cozy indie title.
Little Kitty, Big City Like Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 76/100 Critics Rec: 76% Released May 9, 2024 ESRB E For Everyone Developer(s) Double Dagger Studio Publisher(s) Double Dagger Studio Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL28 A Short Hike
Games don't need to be long to be good. In fact, the Switch is made for short gaming sessions, which is one of the reasons games like Hades have done so well on the system. As the name implies, A Short Hike can be completed in a short time, taking, on average, just about two hours. You can 100 percent the game in just under five hours, making it a great cozy title to play in between sessions.
This little indie exploration game is truly a joy, with unique visuals akin to the DS era, characters that will stick with you long past the five-hour completion mark, and music that fits the theme perfectly. Don't be surprised if you find A Short Hike to be one of your favorite indie Switch games.
A Short Hike Like Follow Followed Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 100% Released April 5, 2019 ESRB E For Everyone Developer(s) Adam Robinson-Yu Publisher(s) Adam Robinson-Yu Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL27 Sea Of Stars
Somehow, this beautiful indie gem love letter was missing from this list. Sea of Stars is one of those rare special titles that only comes along once in a while. It's perfect for you if you want to experience the joy of classic RPGs or the nostalgia of reliving them.
This retro-inspired turn-based RPG has everything you're looking for while allowing you to traverse through the world with several systems to indulge in, from cooking to swimming to traversing the world in unique ways. Relive classic days of gaming with a new, fresh look in Sea of Stars.
4.0/5 Sea of Stars Like Follow Followed RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released August 29, 2023 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language Developer(s) Sabotage Publisher(s) Sabotage Engine Unity Multiplayer Local Co-Op Number of Players 1-3WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL26 Neon White
An interesting gameplay loop, Neon White is both a platformer and a first-person shooter. You'll be moving fast and furious as you exterminate demons that have infiltrated heaven. You'll collect Soul Cards used for weapons. You can use them to attack foes or discard them for unique movement abilities, helping enhance your speedrun through this non-stop parkour adventure.
Neon White is all about speed, and if you love speedrunning and want the challenge of defending heaven while performing incredible parkour stunts and shooting down your enemies, Neon White is a one-of-a-kind indie game to try.
Neon White Like Follow Followed FPS Puzzle Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 99% Released June 16, 2022 ESRB T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco Developer(s) Angel Matrix Publisher(s) Annapurna Interactive Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTION25 Bear And Breakfast
Have you ever wanted to run your own bed and breakfast? What about as a bear? Bear and Breakfast allows you to do just that. In this cozy management sim, you’ll play as Hank the bear, fixing up the buildings around the forest and the mountains so that you can invite human guests to stay.
There’s a lot of freedom when it comes to designing your hotels, as you can decide on the size and shape of the rooms and then start arranging the furniture to make it perfect for your guests. You’ll also meet some local animal residents and get to know them during your business venture.
4.0/5 Bear and Breakfast Like Follow Followed Simulation Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 59% Released July 28, 2022 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Mild Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Gummy Cat Publisher(s) Armor Games Studios Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL24 Dave The Diver
Throwing together exploration and management, Dave the Diver is the perfect mix of two genres, providing cozy players a nice restaurant management option while the exploration keeps things casual enough that it's a perfect mix of things you may not have thought would work well together.
Explore the ocean, collect resources, meet unique characters, and have a chill, cozy, exciting time with a title like Dave the Diver.
Dave the Diver Like Follow Followed Simulation Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 100% Released June 28, 2023 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Blood Developer(s) Mintrocket Publisher(s) Mintrocket Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTION23 InnerSpace
Developed by PolyKnight Games, InnerSpace launched on most platforms in 2018. It's an action and exploration game that has you soaring through a mysterious realm to uncover the lost secrets of an abandoned universe.
Most of your time playing InnerSpace will be spent exploring the world and solving a variety of puzzles to unlock new and exciting secrets. It only takes about eight hours to complete, so you don't need to worry about investing a lot of time into it. InnerSpace features stunning visuals and unique gameplay that feel unlike anything else on the Nintendo Switch.
22 SpiritSphere DX
SpiritSphere DX is the perfect example of why playing a video game with friends and loved ones can be a blast. It originally launched on Steam in 2017 but was ported to the Switch a year later. It features 16-bit style courts that resemble locations from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
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PostsYou and your friend each choose a character from the wide roster of magical creatures and knights, each of which features unique abilities. Then, you face off in a head-to-head battle that feels like a hybrid of tennis and air hockey. This simple game is loads of fun and can keep you and your friends busy for hours.
