Highlights

• Nintendo Switch thrives on indie games that offer unique gameplay experiences and engaging narratives.
• Indie titles like Sea of Stars and Spiritfarer provide hours of entertainment with retro-inspired RPG elements.
• From cozy management sims to challenging roguelikes, the eShop is filled with diverse indie options for every gamer.

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.

The 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 February 23, 2024 by Jerel Levy: There's always an indie game for every type of gamer. Whether you're looking for a classic RPG-style indie, a fast-paced platformer, or a cozy game perfect on Switch, there are several options to choose from. We've added the incomparable classic feeling indie RPG Sea of Stars to this list and cleaned a few things up. Which indie title will you try?

25 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.

24 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.

23 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.

22 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.

21 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.

You 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.

20 Lost Sphear

There are so many RPGs available to play these days it can be hard to find the right one for you. Lost Sphear rises above the clutter to offer a unique RPG experience that can take nearly forty hours to finish. Lost Sphear follows the story of Kanata, who is trying to save their world by using memories of how things once were.

You’ll make friends that join your party and battle monsters in a typical RPG fashion, with a gorgeous universe to explore. If you enjoy classic games like Chrono Trigger and some of the original Final Fantasy titles, Lost Sphear should be on your radar.

19 Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles was developed by Prideful Sloth and launched on the Nintendo Switch in 2018. It takes place on the magical island of Gemea, which features eight different biomes. As you explore the land, you can befriend animals and trade materials to craft useful tools and weapons.

An evil entity known as Murk has taken over the land, and it's up to you to take it back using the help of the Sprites scattered all across the world. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles provides hours of fun and has a mesmerizing aesthetic that is gorgeous to look at and easy to get lost in.

18 Rime

Rime is a 2017 adventure game developed by Tequila Works. Although not super well-known, it is an absolutely gorgeous game that is reminiscent of both The Legend of Zelda and Studio Ghibli. Rime follows the story of a mysterious boy washed up on an unnamed island.

Accompanied by his fox companion, the boy must explore the island and solve dungeon-based puzzles to unlock the secrets of the world. Rime features a fully realized open world and gameplay that often feels like the PlayStation 2 classic Jak & Daxter. Considering the size of this game, it's a fantastic bargain for its low price tag and will sweep you into its fascinating world moments after you start it.

17 Oxenfree

The debut title from Night School Studio, Oxenfree is a story-driven adventure game that follows a group of teenagers as they explore the mysterious Edwards Island. It doesn't take long before things start getting weird, and you'll need to overcome the paranormal to ensure everyone makes it out alive.

Aside from its spooky aesthetic and compelling narrative, Oxenfree is often applauded for its dialogue options that help shape the tone of conversations and the relationships between the characters. It should take less than five hours to complete Oxenfree, but the game will stick with you for a long time after you finish it.

16 Wizard Of Legend

Similar to the indie hit Dead Cells, Wizard of Legend is a roguelike game where you have to complete every stage in one run; otherwise, you must restart from the beginning. However, unlike Dead Cells, you play from a top-down perspective as a wizard attempting to complete the legendary Chaos Trials.

There are five elemental classes in the game, consisting of earth, wind, lightning, water, and fire, and you start with a base of four attacks in any of them: basic, dash, standard, and signature. It also features a local co-op mode, so you can play with a friend. Wizard of Legend offers hours of challenging gameplay with tons of spells and attacks to learn and master.

15 Owlboy

In 2018, D-Pad Studio introduced Nintendo Switch owners to an adventure ten years in the making. Owlboy is an action-adventure game that follows a young owl named Otus. He is mute and struggles to fit in with his people, but must save the day after his village is attacked by pirates.

Owlboy features unique gameplay in a retro-inspired world that looks stunning. As you explore the lands, you will recruit new friends along the way and use their unique abilities to assist you during your journey. Fight sky pirates and soar through the sky in this delightful indie game about accepting who you are and the power of friendship.

14 Sayonara Wild Hearts

The rhythm genre might not be as popular as it used to be, but games like Sayonara Wild Hearts occasionally steal the show and prove how euphoric it can be to hit a series of notes to obtain a new high score. Published by Annapurna Interactive in 2019, this 90-minute adventure features an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack and dazzling visuals that are as immersive as attending a live concert.

Sayonara Wild Hearts' unique gameplay makes it feel like a hybrid between Star Fox and Rhythm Heaven in the best way possible. Due to its shorter runtime, it's the perfect game to revisit once in a while knowing that you won't have to spend more than a couple of hours with it. Or, you can just listen to the excellent soundtrack on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

13 Untitled Goose Game

It didn't take long for Untitled Goose Game to become a phenomenon after it launched in 2019. Instead of saving the world from devastation or building a farm from scratch, this colorful puzzle game simply puts you into the feathers of a troublesome Goose who must harass the locals to find its way home.

Like Sayonara Wild Hearts and Oxenfree, Untitled Goose Game is a relatively short adventure — roughly three to four hours long — but one you won't forget anytime soon. Its playful music adapts to how you approach situations, and most puzzles have more than one solution, so each playthrough can feel a bit different from the last. It also features a co-op mode, so you and a friend can cause chaos as geese together.

12 Spiritfarer

There are plenty of games on the Nintendo Switch about crafting items and managing resources, but few have emotionally gripping narratives like Spiritfarer. You play as Stella, a young woman who has recently accepted the task of finding lost spirits and helping them find peace before they depart toward the afterlife.

Spiritfarer has a bunch of fun minigames to play to craft items and accommodate the needs of your passengers. Each spirit has a fascinating background, and as they get closer to the end of their journey, you can give them a big hug before saying goodbye. If you're looking for a cozy game that will also make your heart melt a bit, Spiritfarer will take you on a journey you won't forget anytime soon.

11 Gris

In 2018, Nomada Studios launched arguably one of the most stunning games ever made; Gris. It is an adventure game with platforming and puzzle elements that reinforce the idea that video games are a wonderful medium for art-based projects.

Gris’ gameplay is relatively simple but gets more complex as you play through the diverse stages. Each level offers a new color motif, and you learn new powers as the puzzles you encounter require new skills. The soundtrack’s beauty is matched only by the completely immersive universe full of mysterious living creatures.

10 Slay The Spire

The Nintendo Switch is perfect for anyone who commutes to work or enjoys playing something in bed before falling asleep. If you're looking for a game that can be played for both hours at a time or in short sessions, Slay the Spire is a roguelike with deck-building mechanics that makes it ideal for anyone on the go.

After choosing one of the playable characters, your main objective is to defeat waves of enemies while also picking up new cards to improve the quality of your deck. Runs can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour, but it's incredibly easy to save and pick up again to continue where you left off.

9 Cadence Of Hyrule: Crypt Of The NecroDancer

Indie games often take inspiration from bigger, more well-known titles. However, it's not often that you find the developers behind a popular indie game collaborate with one of the most popular series in the world like Brace Yourself Games did with Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer.

The original Crypt of the NecroDancer released in 2015 and, over time, became one of the most beloved indie games on the PC. Then, in June 2019, it was reimagined for the Nintendo Switch, featuring some of Hyrule’s beloved heroes. The gameplay is all rhythm-based and takes you through a whole new map of Hyrule. You can play as Link, Princess Zelda, Cadence, or Yves, the Deku Scrub.

8 Night In The Woods

Night in the Woods may feature a cast of anthropomorphic animals, but that doesn't stop it from containing incredibly relatable characters navigating the murky waters of growing up and discovering who they are. You play as Mae, a young woman who returns to her hometown after leaving school to pick up the pieces of her past.

From beginning to end, Night in the Woods will continue to surprise you with sudden revelations, unexpected detours, and the occasional jam session with Mae's band. Despite its colorful aesthetic and characters, the game deals with some heavy themes such as mental health and confronting the past, but it's really effective and worth checking out if you're looking for a new adventure game to get lost in.

7 Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

If you grew up playing games like Mega Man, Castlevania, or DuckTales, there is a very good chance you'll enjoy playing through Shovel Knight. This action-based platformer was originally launched in 2014 and still holds up incredibly well today, thanks to its tight controls, memorable characters, and epic soundtrack.

If you enjoyed playing through Shovel Knight back in the day, you should check out the Treasure Trove collection that includes three additional campaigns — focused around Plague Knight, Specter Knight, and King Knight — with new stages to explore and abilities to master. Each story in Treasure Trove is filled with heart, humor, and a surprising amount of world-building.

6 CrossCode

If you've ever felt the thrill of the adventure of wanting to be stuck in an MMORPG and live out your adventures, Crosscode is the answer to that request. This indie, developed by Radical Fish Games and Deck13, follows Lea as she wakes up one day with no memories and has to solve the puzzles and combat of the online MMORPG CrossWorld to find out what's happening.

Full of twists and turns and a protagonist who can't speak, CrossCode will bring back those 2D puzzle action and platformer titles from your past in a whole new way. If you've ever played a Zelda 2D game, you'll feel right at home playing CrossCode. With a unique cast of characters, an interesting story, and a nostalgic feel, it's a great indie game on the Switch.