In the most recent Indie WorldThe Nintendo revealed an exciting list of independent games coming to Nintendo Switch in 2023 and 2024.
Below you can read information about the highlighted games:
- Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution from WayForward: Shantae, everyone’s favorite half-genie, is back in this authentically retro sequel to the original 2002 game, completed and released 20 years later. This action-adventure platformer includes all the action Shantae fans have come to expect, like hair attacks and belly dancing, along with multiple chapters, countless mazes and settlements, six creature transformations, fearsome bosses and a four-player competition mode. A new gameplay mechanic allows Shantae to create new paths in each area by manipulating the foreground and background, moving between its layers to navigate and explore each level. Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution arrives on Nintendo Switch in 2024.
- Core Keeper from Pugstorm and Fireshine Games: Explore a vast cavern filled with creatures, relics, and resources in this sandbox-style mining adventure, where up to eight players can work together in online co-op multiplayer. As an adventurer who feels the pull of a mysterious relic, his mission will be to uncover the secrets of this long-forgotten world. Whether you prefer to advance slowly, collecting resources, tending crops and building bases, or diving straight into the action, improving skills, facing ancient bosses and exploring the constantly changing landscape, Core Keeper will invite everyone to play the way they like most in the game. Nintendo Switch in summer 2024.
- On Your Tail from Memorable Games and Humble Games: As the young and intrepid detective Diana, players will have to explore the charming beach village of Borgo Marina in this narrative-driven life simulator. But there are mysteries lurking behind the village’s idyllic exterior. Investigate the streets and shops for clues and collect Clue Cards to help unmask the thief threatening the once peaceful village. When not solving mysteries, players can enjoy their vacation by the sea, going to the beach, spending time with friends, having fun in the arcade, fishing and more. On Your Tail arrives on Nintendo Switch as a temporary console exclusive in 2024.
- Howl from Mi’pu’mi Games and astragon Entertainment: A fairytale world is being ravaged by the “howl,” a sinister plague that spreads through sound. Only a deaf prophet will be able to find a cure and return peace to these lands. She will have to use her weapons and ingenuity to advance in this turn-based strategy game with a hand-painted artistic style. Captivating combat mechanics challenge players to predict enemy actions, forcing them to plan up to six steps ahead and using interactive environments to their advantage. Defeat monsters to collect resources and improve your ever-expanding arsenal of skills, and set your course across the world map to discover secret paths and unlock new abilities. Howl arrives on Nintendo Switch later today. A free demo will also be available on the Nintendo eShop at the same time.
- The Star Named EOS from Silver Lining Studio and PLAYISM: Immerse yourself in a beautiful, hand-drawn panoramic world and immerse yourself in this first-person narrative puzzle adventure game that explores photography and the many ways in which you can capture the ephemeral moments that form our lives. Play as Dei, a young photographer who follows his mother’s trail. Find and collect objects full of memories and help Dei discover the truth about his mother’s absence. The Star Named EOS is available for Nintendo Switch in spring next year.
- Backpack Hero from Jaspel and Different Tales: Backpack Hero is a deck-building roguelike with a twist. The focus here is not so much what he carries, but rather how he organizes the objects in his backpack, placing them in the right place to unlock his true powers. Explore the ancient dungeon, face enemies in turn-based battles and meet a variety of unusual characters. Take on the role of one of the five available Backpack Heroes, each with their own powers, mechanics and objects. Thanks to the treasures he finds in the dungeon, he will be able to help his town, Haversack Hill. He rebuilds, expands and decorates the town, earns the gratitude of the residents and becomes a true hero of the community. Backpack Hero arrives on Nintendo Switch today.
- Blade Chimera by Team Ladybug/WSSplayground and PLAYISM: In a futuristic and dystopian Osaka, a group called “Missa Association” is in charge of protecting the city from demon attacks. One of its members goes on a risky mission when things go wrong in this 2D “pixel art” style action game. Wield the powerful Lumina Sword, a demon transformed into a deadly weapon, which not only tears apart opponents but also interferes with time itself, restoring stairs, bridges and platforms once destroyed to reach new areas. Will you be able to master the powers of the Lumina Sword? Blade Chimera will be available on Nintendo Switch as a temporary console exclusive in the spring of next year.
- A Highland Song from inkle: Guide Moira as she runs, jumps, climbs and smashes her way to her goal in this 2.5D narrative platformer with rhythm and action elements. Traverse the peaks and valleys of the Scottish highlands, taking hundreds of different routes and discover shortcuts and surprises along the way. Timing is vital as you try to reach the coast as quickly as possible, with rain, storms and snow hampering your progress. Some valleys contain musical running sequences, in which players will have to jump at the right time to the sound of a frantic Scottish soundtrack to quickly advance across the playing field. Highland Song arrives on Nintendo Switch on December 5th. The game will be available for pre-purchase later today on the Nintendo eShop.
- Moonstone Island from Studio Supersoft and Raw Fury: This life simulator where players collect creatures, explore dungeons and build decks features 100 procedurally generated celestial islands that they can explore with the goal of becoming world-renowned alchemists. There are over 60 adorable spirits to collect through engaging card battles. While resting and integrating into the community, players can craft objects, tend to their farms, brew potions, decorate their homes, make friends with residents and even fall in love. Moonstone Island will be available on Nintendo Switch as a temporary console exclusive in the spring of next year.
- Death Trick: Double Blind by Misty Mountain Studio and Neon Doctrine: In this non-linear detective visual novel set in Morgan’s traveling circus, the lead illusionist has disappeared. An unusual duo, made up of another circus illusionist and a detective with amnesia, take turns investigating Hattie’s disappearance, each using their own perspective and the information they gather. With only a limited number of actions, players must carefully decide which clues to investigate, looking for contradictions in the evidence they find. By organizing their clues and getting to know each of the circus’ unusual characters, our heroes must solve the case and challenge everyone who seems suspicious. Death Trick: Double Blind arrives on Nintendo Switch in 2024 as a temporary console exclusive. A free demo will be available later today on the Nintendo eShop.
- Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition from Mobius Digital and Annapurna Interactive: In this open-world adventure, players will have to explore various planets in search of clues, strange signs, and ancient alien texts to decipher. But the solar system is trapped in a time loop and each planet will change drastically during exploration. Immerse yourself in an underground city before it is swallowed by the earth and more. Find the keys that will unlock the secrets of the solar system in the most hidden and dangerous places, then uncover the biggest secret of all in the Echoes of the Eye expansion included in this edition. Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition lands on Nintendo Switch on December 7th. The game will be available for pre-purchase later today on the Nintendo eShop.
In addition to the games named above, a montage of even more independent titles on their way to release was also shown. Nintendo Switchincluding:
- Planet of Lanaa cinematic puzzle adventure set in an epic saga that spans centuries and galaxies, available for Nintendo Switch in spring next year.
- Enjoy the Dinera mysterious narrative adventure with “point and click” elements, available today for Nintendo Switch.
- Heavenly Bodiesa delightfully frustrating physics-based space puzzle game that challenges players to complete a series of seemingly simple tasks aboard a 1970s space station, available for Nintendo Switch in February next year.
- The Gecko Godsa relaxed platform and puzzle game starring a little gecko who will have to explore a set of mysterious islands and temples to save his friends, available for Nintendo Switch in spring of next year.
- Passpartout 2: The Lost Artista painting adventure where players are invited to explore the enchanting village of Phénix while creating and selling works of art, available for Nintendo Switch today.
- Urban Myth Dissolution Centera captivating mystery game where players are tasked with investigating curses, haunted houses and other urban myths, available for Nintendo Switch in 2024.
- Braid: Anniversary Editiona revamped version of the acclaimed platformer with new puzzles, revamped graphics, reimagined sounds, as well as commentary from the development team, available for Nintendo Switch from April 30, 2024.
