Highlights

• Nintendo Switch's popularity is due to its blend of handheld and home console gaming, offering a wide game selection for different tastes.
• Visual novels are a popular genre on the Switch, focusing on interactive stories and characters over traditional gameplay elements.
• Titles like "The Charming Empire" and "Code: Realize" offer captivating narratives with multiple playthroughs for varying story outcomes.

One of the main reasons the Nintendo Switch has become so popular over the years is that it blends a handheld system with a home console, allowing it to be played on the go or on the TV. This means that people with different tastes can browse through the massive selection of games available on the Nintendo Switch and easily find something for themselves.

One of the most popular genres on the Switch is the visual novel. These games typically focus on compelling stories that can be influenced by your choices rather than battling against enemies and searching for loot in an open world. For people who prefer more interactive and character-driven games, this genre is full of mesmerizing adventures, and most of them can be played from the comfort of your couch or in bed thanks to the Nintendo Switch.

Updated on February 28, 2024, by Kyle Chamaillard: The Nintendo Switch has become the home to many amazing and immersive visual novels, so we've decided to update this list to include even more essential titles for anyone looking for an engaging story.

HowLongToBeat.Com was used to determine the length of each game on this list. Keep in mind that most visual novels require multiple playthroughs, so the amount of time you spend with these games depends on how much you want to see.

28 The Charming Empire

The Charming Empire is a dating-based visual novel that is set in the Taisho-Roman era of Japan, shortly after the turn of the 20th century.

The game follows the main character, Amane Kosaka, who lives a quiet but happy life in the countryside until her brother, Soshi Amazaki, the current ruler, calls her to the bustling city. The game takes place in the palace, where Amane Kosaka learns that things are not what she expected.

27 Code: Realize ~Guardian Of Rebirth~

The Code: Realize series features many games, but this one stands out because of its charming setting and characters. You play as Cardia, an amnesiac woman living in an abandoned mansion under her father's orders, who forbids her from leaving.

Soon enough, Cardia's father disappears, and her life turns upside down. Cardia meets a series of unique and curious characters based on historical and literal figures, such as Victor Frankenstein and Count Saint-Germain. Each romantic interest is well-written and likable, with distinct personalities, and the game features branching paths, making it an ideal otome visual novel.

26 Collar X Malice

Though Collar X Malice may seem like your standard otome romance game at first, it has a lot more to offer than that, which makes it stand out from the crowd. You play as a police officer who has been attacked and ends up with a poison-filled collar around her neck. The story follows the investigation into this phenomenon, as explored by five former — and handsome — officers.

Where Collar X Malice excels is in its writing and mystery. As you play through each route, you learn more about a series of mass murders and slowly inch closer to unraveling them. It's a darker take on the romance visual novel genre, with a delicious helping of mystery and some fun minigames as well.

25 Digimon Survive

Digimon Survive is the first game in the long-running series to feature visual novel elements, and it works surprisingly well. It treads familiar ground by sending a group of young kids at camp into the world of Digimon, but its unique characters and darker story help it stand out from other games in the series.

You will spend the majority of your time talking to your friends and their Digimon, forming bonds that affect both the story and which digivolutions you will see. The visual novel aspects are separated by engaging turn-based battles that allow you to recruit more monsters for the team or face off against terrifying bosses to move the plot forward.

24 Florence

Florence is an excellent example of how effective shorter games can be at depicting an emotional and captivating narrative. At just under an hour long, you can easily beat it in a single session, but don't be surprised if you're absolutely absorbed by Florence's story by the time credits begin to roll.

It's best to describe Florence as a short graphic novel with plenty of puzzles and minigames to help put you in the shoes of the titular protagonist as she navigates love, life, and the other tribulations that come with your mid 20s. Florence spectacularly showcases the highs and lows of finding yourself and is bound to resonate with most who take the hour to complete it.

23 Steins;Gate Elite

Steins;Gate Elite is an enhanced version of the original Steins;Gate visual novel, and features unique innovations such as being animated, making it feel more like an interactive movie.

In Steins;Gate Elite, a group of college students discover a way to alter the past. You control the choices made by the main character, Okabe, which can greatly alter the game's plot and lead to one of the multiple possible endings. Being fully animated and fully voiced, this game brings a new experience to an already beloved visual novel.

22 Coffee Talk

One of the more unique visual novels is Coffee Talk, which makes you the sole owner and barista of a café with the same name. You will interact with customers of varying fantasy backgrounds, including orcs, elves, and even mermaids, in a fictional version of Seattle.

Coffee Talk takes place over the course of two in-game weeks, letting you play through each day and interact with its many curious characters, all while learning about their lives and worries. The game boasts great visuals and chill vibes, making for a relaxing, albeit short, experience.

21 Spirit Hunter: Death Mark

Death Mark is a horror visual novel and is the first game in the Spirit Hunter series. While the story is told as a visual novel, you will also spend time solving puzzles and collecting items to complete the game.

In a Tokyo district called H City, something strange begins to happen. According to rumors, people are starting to get strange bite-like marks on their bodies shortly before they die. You play as an amnesiac detective on whom one of these marks has appeared, and it's up to you to figure out the cause of this plague, restore your lost memories, and save yourself.

20 Arcade Spirits

Arcade Spirits is a unique dating sim visual novel for anyone who loves video games. This game is set in an alternative version of history in which the video game crash in the 1980s never happened, and arcade games still reign supreme.

You get to create your own character to play as, and the options are varied and inclusive, even allowing you to choose your preferred pronouns. The game has you working at Funplex, a popular arcade with great staff and customers. The choices you make and relationships you build push the story forward, and could even decide the ultimate fate of Funplex.

19 Coffee Talk 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly

Like a good cup of coffee, some recipes don't need to be changed if the product is already perfect. Coffee Talk 2 is a confident sequel that keeps most of the core mechanics of its predecessor like talking to customers and making them beverages and introduces a few quality-of-life improvements that make the experience even sweeter than before.

You'll serve drinks to plenty of familiar faces from the original game, and a slew of new customers that fit right in with Coffee Talk's fantastical yet relatable world. The soundtrack is just as good as the first one, and the lo-fi beats make the perfect background noise for this cozy, funny, and irresistible visual novel.

18 VA-11 Hall-A

VA-11 Hall-A is both a bartending simulator and a visual novel. Set in a dystopian future, you work as Jill, a bartender at the titular dive bar — pronounced Valhalla — where you serve up drinks and conversation.

Almost all of VA-11 Hall-A's world-building comes from your conversations with your patrons. They do an excellent job at painting a portrait of themselves and the world they inhabit with words alone. When you're not working, you can stop by the shops and use your tips to buy decor for your apartment, which, aside from being aesthetically pleasing, improves Jill's mood and make her shifts easier. Just make sure you pay your rent.

17 Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries Of Honjo

If you would rather sit on the edge of your seat in terror instead of solving murder cases or deciding who to choose as a romantic partner, look no further than Paranormasight. This tense visual novel features incredibly memorable characters as they spiral toward the darkness lurking in their city and within themselves.

Paranormaight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo follows a group of strangers after they are gifted a deadly power. They can use their powers to take the souls of other people — including other Curse Bearers — and if anyone gathers enough, they can wish for anything they like. The game is full of twists, and fascinating puzzle mechanics that feel like they belong in a Kojima project.

16 Night In The Woods

Night in the Woods is slightly different as far as visual novels go because there is a lot of exploration and platforming in the game. That being said, it's still more of a story and dialogue-based game than some others.

You play as a college dropout named Mae who recently returned to her hometown, the small and dying mining town of Possum Springs. But when Mae tries to reconnect with the friends she knew before she left for college, she realizes that maybe more has changed than she thought.

15 Dream Daddy

Dream Daddy is a dating sim visual novel in which you create your own single and ready-to-mingle dad who is new to the neighborhood with his daughter, Amanda.

There are dads for everyone in this game: Jock dads, goth dads, bad dads. You can even be the bad dad yourself by trying to romance a married dad. Each character has their own unique storyline, and your choices will determine if you get a happy ending.

14 Needy Streamer Overload

Needy Streamer Overload shows you what it's like to be in a toxic relationship with a streamer of your own making. It's a dark game covered in pastel and cutesy art, yet there's no humor to be found anywhere.

This build-a-streamer visual novel tackles mental health and the darker side of streaming culture. As extreme as it's presented, the game's theme sparks a great discussion about the dehumanization of entertainers, no matter which ending you fall into.

13 Monster Prom: XXL

Monster Prom was originally launched in 2018, and the XXL version that came out in 2020 contains the base game and DLC in one bundle. Monster Prom is a competitive dating sim visual novel in which you are tasked with finding a date for the upcoming prom. That's right — competitive.

While it may just seem like another romance game on the surface, Monster Prom actually has the potential to be a party game with its multiplayer option. You must be strategic and think ahead about where you want to be and what you want to do before your friends beat you to it. You will compete for the hearts of these monsters with the monsters you know best — your friends.

12 Spirit Hunter: Death Mark 2

Despite its name, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark 2 is the third game in the series and significantly builds upon the foundation of its predecessors to create another tense and terrifying adventure.

This time, you play as an undercover teacher sent to investigate a series of "accidents" at Konoehara Academy in Tokyo. What follows is not for the light of heart, as supernatural events torment everyone involved. If you love horror movies like The Grudge or The Ring, you won't be able to put Death Mark 2 down.

11 The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood uses unique visuals and strong characters to depict a beautiful story about healing and self-discovery. You'll spend your time playing as Fortuna, a witch who has been banished from her coven for 1,000 years and kills that time by providing tarot readings to anyone willing to visit her.

Aside from the brilliant writing, Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood stands out for its clever tarot card system, which allows you to customize each card to determine different aspects of your customer's backstories. Everything from the music to your decisions culminates into an experience you won't forget anytime soon.

10 Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus is the enhanced version of the original Doki Doki Literature Club, which was originally only available on PC. On the surface, it presents itself as your typical romantic visual novel, where you play as a high school student who joins the school's literature club to get to know the other members better. The scenes and story change based on which one you focus on.

However, this game is not what it seems on the surface. It presents you with a warning at the beginning that it is not a game for children or the easily disturbed. As you continue to play it, disturbing horror elements emerge, which helps make this game an exceptional and unforgettable experience.

9 AI: The Somnium Files

Made by the genius behind the Zero Escape trilogy, Kotaro Uchikoshi, AI: The Somnium Files follows an amnesiac detective named Kaname Date as he investigates a series of mysterious and grisly murders.

This game provides an immersive and thrilling experience, with fully voiced dialogue and multiple story paths with shocking endings. Plus, there's a flow chart in the game that lets you jump back and forth in time to complete the story paths that you haven't seen yet. Its sequel — AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative — was launched in 2022 and continues to tell a riveting story that expands the world built in the first game.