The best indie games on Switch – Hollow Knight, Moving Out, and more

Indie games shine frequently on the Nintendo Switch console. Maybe it’s because so many great indie games play really well handheld, and the versatility of the Switch appeals to that. Or maybe indie games are just popular because they’re usually fantastic games. Small indie game developers put so much heart and soul into their games and perfect the little things.

It’s probably more the latter that makes indie games so appealing to the average consumer. Although there are tons of great indie games out there, we’ve rounded up 18 of the best indie games currently on Switch right now. 

Best indie games on Switch

Untitled Goose Game

Untitled Goose Game is a hilarious game that will relieve stress and make you laugh. In this game, you play as a goose that loves to ruin people’s days. You can do all sorts of pranks, honk at people to scare or annoy them, and so much more. It’s hard to be mad while playing this game, so give this game a try if you have a bad day. 

Hollow Knight

Aside from being a gorgeously animated game, Hollow Knight offers a rich story and almost flawless gameplay. This is a side-scrolling action-adventure platformer where you fight enemies and battle bosses and uncover mysteries of the kingdom you explore. 

Check out: The best upcoming Nintendo Switch games

The soundtrack adds a special something to this game and is even fun to listen to just on its own. If you’re into games with tons of lore and you love the mechanics of side-scrolling platformers mixed with souls-like mechanics, then this is a great pick for you. 

Cuphead

Cuphead is extremely challenging, but at least the game looks great while you die a lot. Each level and boss battle comes with a unique set of challenges that usually forces you to play a level more than once before you beat it. You have to learn each level’s nuances before you can progress.

It can make the game infuriating at times. Sometimes, you might even have to put the game down for a few hours or days before going back to it. But that satisfaction you feel when you finally beat a really tough level is unmatched. And as mentioned before, the game looks fantastic. The animation style and the music are both inspired by 1930s cartoons. 

Celeste

Celeste is another challenging yet rewarding game. In this game, you play as Madeline and follow her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain. There are over 700 screens of platforming challenges, some fairly simple and others extremely challenging. You have to perfect your timing in many of these levels, but it’s so awesome when you finally get it. 

Also read: The best free Nintendo Switch games

Plus, the story in this game is pretty neat. Madeline struggles with a few things during her journey, primarily her sense of self. Throughout her journey, the characters all add something important to her story and make the overall game a lot more interesting. 

Stardew Valley

If you’re not into hardcore platformers that sometimes make you want to throw your controller across the room, check out Stardew Valley. This game is so peaceful. You can spend hours tending to your farm, exploring the mines, interacting with the town, and completing quests. 

At its core, Stardew Valley is a farming simulator. But if you don’t want to have an extensive farm, you don’t have to. In the beginning, it’s the best way to make money, but once you’re established, you don’t have to spend all your time farming. 

Cadence of Hyrule

Cadence of Hyrule is a fun, rhythmic game with characters and settings from the Legend of Zelda series. There’s an option to play as either Link or Princess Zelda as you work through the world and the dungeons within it. 

See also: Best Switch games for kids 

You get to practice your rhythm skills in this musically based game. You have to move, attack, defend, etc. on the beat, which is a unique take on action-adventure combat. There are other rhythmic action-adventure games from Brace Yourself Games, but Cadence of Hyrule is one of their best to date. 

Gorogoa

Gorogoa has beautifully hand-drawn illustrations and is a unique addition to the puzzle genre. You solve puzzles by arranging illustrated panels to find the right combination. Although the game itself is solving puzzles, the artwork helps set it apart from other games and gives players a charming experience overall. 

Spiritfarer

In Spiritfarer, you play as Stella, who helps the deceased cross over by ferry with her feline friend, Daffodil. Your purpose as a spiritfarer is to help your spirit passengers and care for them on their way to the afterlife. You get to listen to their stories and learn from them as you ferry them across. 

Besides ferrying across spirits, you can also pass the time by farming, mining, fishing, cooking, and crafting. If your passengers’ heavy stories are too much at any point, you can throw yourself into mindless tasks. And Daffodil, the cat, is a little star in this game. 

Hades

Hades made a huge impression on 2020, taking home tons of awards. This is a rogue-like dungeon crawler in which you play as the immortal Prince of the Underworld. Using various powers and weapons, it’s your mission to break free from the god of the dead, Hades. 

You can build your character the way you want to and replay the game for a new experience almost every time. The characters are so well built, with unique stories and great voice actors to carry out the part. Plus, the musical score in this game just elevates it to a higher level. 

I Am Dead

I Am Dead is another great puzzle game. Similar to Spiritfarer, it’s about the afterlife. In this game, you uncover many mysteries on the island of Shelmerston. Throughout the game, you dive into a lot of deep narratives of the inhabitants and visitors of Shelmerston over the years. And to get to these rich stories and save the island, you have to solve puzzles. 

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition is a special edition of all five acts and the interludes that were originally published separately. This game is an eerie, magical realist adventure game. The music is haunting and adds an appropriate air of strangeness to the game. 

In Kentucky Route Zero, you’ll come across multiple strange characters on your way across the secret highway. The story is one of the biggest selling points of this game. If you’re looking for something odd to add to your collection, give this game a try. 

Moving Out

Moving Out is a physics-based moving simulator that you can play by yourself, but it’s much more fun with other players. It’s impossible not to laugh while playing this game because so much of the gameplay is just ridiculous. You move furniture by dragging it across the lawn or throwing it through windows and then stack it however it will fit in the moving truck. 

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There are fun challenges in each level that make replaying the level worthwhile. Then, there are also super challenging games in the arcade that will test your skills and patience. This is one of the best co-op indie games on Switch if you’re looking for a fun game to play with friends or family members. 

Cloudpunk

Cloudpunk is a neon-noir story-based exploration game in which you work for the Cloudpunk delivery service. You’re not supposed to know what’s in a package; you’re just supposed to deliver it. The decisions you make throughout the game actually have an impact on how the story plays out. 

You deliver packages all over the metropolis, coming in contact with many characters from different backgrounds. That’s one of the best things about this game. You get to explore the city, learn character backstories, and uncover mysteries along the way. 

Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition

Ori and the Blind Forest is easily one of the best indie games on Switch. The sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, is a great game as well, but you should play Ori and the Blind Forest first for the story. 

Also read: The best Switch eShop games

Ori’s story is a very emotional one. Ori goes through many devastating tragedies on his journey. He has to save the dying forest of Nibel, though, so he has to find a way to power through his tragedy and come out more courageous. The story is beautiful enough, but the hand-painted artwork in the game makes it so much more gripping. 

A Short Hike

A Short Hike is a pretty simple game, but it’s highly entertaining and interesting. In the game, you hike around and explore the island you’re on. You can choose how fast to hike and which paths to take along the way.

On your hike, you can pass the time by fishing, diving off mountain peaks, talking with other hikers you meet, or collecting treasures. Whether you hike the fastest path up the mountain or you take your time exploring every nook and cranny of the island, you’ll have a great experience with this game. 

Raji: An Ancient Epic

Raji: An Ancient Epic follows Raji as she tries to find her brother, Golu, and stop the war between the demons and the gods. Golu and Raji were separated as a result of demonic hordes attacking their people and abducting them. 

The gods chose Raji to be the sole defender of the human race, so it’s up to her to end the war, but it’s important to her to find her brother as well. Playing as Raji, the combat is pretty cool. You have access to weapons and powers that were gifted to Raji by the gods. This game requires you to master all the skills and know when to use them in different situations best. 

Evergate

Evergate is a beautiful puzzle 2D platformer. You play as Ki, a small child-like soul, traveling through the Afterlife. The level design in Evergate is challenging, but not so much that it makes you feel frustrated. It may take a few tries to get it right, but it doesn’t feel impossible to beat an aspect of the game. 

The story of Evergate is intriguing and will keep you pulled in. Throughout the game, you uncover Ki’s connections to other souls. It’s easy to take in the great story while looking at the gorgeous hand-drawn illustrations and listening to the soundtrack that seems to have a perfect song for every moment of the game. 

Kosmokrats

Kosmokrats is all about taking the gravity out of fun. You’re in charge of piloting your own drone to craft a space-based utopia and make friends along the way. Kosmokrats is rated “M,” so this may not be a title to share with the entire family. You can amass a dominant space fleet and earn your wealth in as many potatoes as you can eat — or turn them into vodka.

This title is the newest on the list, and it blends adventure and comedy perfectly. No two playthroughs will ever be the same, but the fate of humanity rests on your shoulders. Strap in and get ready to leave gravity behind.