The 30 Most Underrated Nintendo Switch Games

The Nintendo Switch boasts an incredibly varied game library, with everything from huge, popular titles to unique indie games. While well-known franchises often get the most attention, many excellent games are often missed. These lesser-known titles frequently offer fresh gameplay ideas, beautiful visuals, and captivating stories that are just as good as the big hits. This collection showcases some of the Switch’s hidden gems – games that deserve more praise for helping make the console so successful.

‘Astral Chain’ (2019)

Developed by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo, ‘Astral Chain’ is a game made specifically for the Switch. Players take on the role of a police officer in a futuristic city who fights threats from other dimensions using a living weapon called a Legion. The game is known for its innovative combat system, allowing players to control two characters at once. While critics praised its graphics and complex gameplay, it hasn’t received as much attention as some other popular Nintendo games.

‘Golf Story’ (2017)

Golf Story, created by Sidebar Games, was initially released only for the Nintendo Switch. It’s a unique game that combines the familiar elements of role-playing games with golf, offering players quests to complete and characters to develop. You’ll need to use your golf skills to overcome obstacles and win competitions in a variety of interesting locations, from snowy peaks to prehistoric landscapes. Many players enjoyed the game’s funny moments and the clever way it mixed golf with a compelling story.

‘Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King’ (2017)

‘Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King,’ created by Castle Pixel and published by FDG Entertainment, is a loving homage to the classic top-down adventure games of the past. The game is presented as a grandfather telling a story, and this actually changes how you play. You play as Lily, a brave knight, who must journey through dungeons and fight monsters to protect the Kingdom of Blossom. It’s charming thanks to its old-school look and responsive controls, reminiscent of the games that started the genre.

‘Spiritfarer’ (2020)

Spiritfarer is a relaxing management game where you play as Stella, a ferrymaster who guides spirits to the afterlife. Developed by Thunder Lotus Games, the game involves building and expanding your boat, collecting resources, and crafting items while forming close relationships with the spirits you encounter. It’s known for its beautiful hand-drawn art style and thoughtful exploration of difficult topics, receiving widespread critical acclaim.

‘Signalis’ (2022)

Okay, so I just finished playing ‘Signalis’, and it’s seriously good if you’re into classic survival horror. It’s made by rose-engine and published by Humble Games. You play as Elster, who’s this technician robot, and she’s desperately looking for her partner in this creepy, abandoned industrial place. The graphics are this cool, retro low-poly style, and it really makes the atmosphere stand out. You’re constantly scavenging for supplies, figuring out puzzles, and just trying to survive. It’s not just jump scares either; the story dives into some really deep, cosmic horror and philosophical stuff, so it’s a pretty dense and thought-provoking experience if you’re a horror fan like me.

‘AI: The Somnium Files’ (2019)

Spike Chunsoft, led by Kotaro Uchikoshi, created and released ‘AI: The Somnium Files’, a mystery adventure game. Players take on the role of detective Kaname Date, solving a serial killer case by exploring the dreams of those involved. The game combines detective work presented as a visual novel with fast-paced puzzle solving inside these dream worlds. It’s known for offering multiple story paths, surprising plot twists, and a distinctive mix of funny moments and serious, psychological subject matter.

‘Live A Live’ (2022)

‘Live A Live’ is a reimagining of a beloved game originally released in 1994. Developed by Square Enix and published by Nintendo, this version for the Nintendo Switch tells multiple stories across different eras – from prehistoric times to the Wild West and a far-off future. Each story has its own unique characters and gameplay, but they all connect to a larger, overarching plot. This updated version features beautiful HD-2D graphics and brings this classic game to players worldwide for the first time.

‘Triangle Strategy’ (2022)

Triangle Strategy, created by Artdink and Square Enix, is a strategy RPG where your choices really matter. You play as Serenoa Wolffort, caught in a large-scale war over limited resources like salt and iron. Throughout the game, you’ll shape the story by making decisions that affect your team, using a system called the ‘Scales of Conviction.’ It features challenging, turn-based battles, a complex political story, and beautiful pixel art.

‘Octopath Traveler II’ (2023)

Developed by Acquire and Square Enix, ‘Octopath Traveler II’ is a follow-up to the popular 2018 game. It features eight new characters, each with their own story and special abilities that let them interact with people around the game world in unique ways. This sequel builds on the original with the addition of a day-night cycle and more ways for characters to connect. Though it’s a beautifully made game with refined turn-based battles, it doesn’t always get the same recognition as bigger, more well-known RPGs.

‘Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir’ (2021)

‘Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir’ is a fresh remake of a beloved Japanese adventure game originally created by MAGES and now published by Nintendo. As a rookie detective, you’ll investigate a murder within a rich family, uncovering local myths along the way. The game has been updated with new character designs, voice acting, and a more user-friendly interface, but still maintains the original’s thrilling mood. It’s a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Nintendo’s storytelling past, now available in English.

‘Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin’ (2020)

Developed by Edelweiss and published by XSEED Games, ‘Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin’ is a one-of-a-kind game that combines fast-paced action with the surprisingly detailed world of rice farming. You play as Sakuna, a goddess who’s been exiled and needs to farm to regain her power. With its rich crafting options and focus on Japanese folklore, the game offers a unique blend of action and simulation.

‘Neon White’ (2022)

Okay, so I’m totally obsessed with this game, ‘Neon White’! It’s a super-fast, first-person action game made by Angel Matrix and published by Annapurna Interactive. You play as an assassin pulled from Hell, and basically you’re competing against other demons to earn a spot in Heaven. The coolest part is how you collect ‘Soul Cards’ – they’re like both your weapons and let you do awesome movement stuff if you ditch them. It’s all about speedrunning and figuring out the quickest way to beat each level, which is seriously addictive. You’re always trying to optimize your route and shave off seconds!

‘Gnosia’ (2021)

Gnosia is a role-playing game where you try to uncover who among a spaceship crew are actually dangerous imposters. Developed by Petit Depotto and published by Playism, it’s like a digital version of party games like Mafia or Werewolf, but for a single player. The game features a time loop mechanic, letting you improve your character and learn about the crew with each cycle as you try to identify and stop the Gnosia before they wipe everyone out.

‘Eastward’ (2021)

Eastward is a beautifully crafted adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world, created by Pixpil and published by Chucklefish. You play as John, a quiet miner, and Sam, a strange young girl, as they journey eastward on a train. The game lets you switch between characters to overcome obstacles and battle monsters in fast-paced combat. It’s visually inspired by classic 90s Japanese animation and boasts a rich, immersive atmosphere.

‘Katana ZERO’ (2019)

Developed by Askiisoft and published by Devolver Digital, ‘Katana ZERO’ is a fast-paced, visually striking action platformer set in a neo-noir world. The game centers around intense combat where one hit is all it takes to defeat enemies. You play as a skilled swordsman who can control time, allowing for strategic planning and deflecting attacks. With a gripping story revealed through conversations and a powerful synthwave soundtrack, ‘Katana ZERO’ delivers a thrilling experience that matches its quick gameplay.

‘Sayonara Wild Hearts’ (2019)

‘Sayonara Wild Hearts’ is a unique video game, best described as an interactive pop album, created by Simogo and published by Annapurna Interactive. Players embark on a dreamy adventure through levels filled with music, where they’ll ride motorcycles, dance, and shoot lasers. Each level is perfectly timed to a pop song, combining fast-paced action with rhythm-based gameplay. With its bright, neon visuals and quick play time, the game tells a story about heartbreak and finding yourself.

‘GRIS’ (2018)

GRIS is a beautiful and moving platformer game created by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital. Players guide a young girl through a fantastical world as she copes with a difficult experience. Her dress changes and gives her new skills to help her progress. The game is known for its peaceful atmosphere, stunning watercolor visuals, and emotional soundtrack, and it doesn’t include any traditional dangers or failing – it’s all about exploring and solving puzzles.

‘Chained Echoes’ (2022)

Developed by Matthias Linda and published by Deck13, ‘Chained Echoes’ is a 16-bit style RPG that pays homage to classic games of the genre. It features traditional turn-based battles and a large world to explore. A unique ‘Overdrive’ system challenges players to strategically use their abilities to maximize combat performance. The game also includes powerful ‘Sky Armor’ mechs and a political storyline that steers clear of typical fantasy clichés.

‘Paradise Killer’ (2020)

Paradise Killer is an open-world mystery game where you play as Lady Love Dies, an investigator called back from exile to solve a bizarre and important murder on a strange island. You’ll gather clues and can accuse anyone you suspect, and how well you build your case will decide the outcome. The game features a distinctive visual style inspired by vaporwave and a unique soundtrack, creating a truly otherworldly atmosphere.

‘Dredge’ (2023)

Dredge is a fishing adventure game with a spooky side, created by Black Salt Games and published by Team17. You play as a captain of a small fishing boat, exploring a faraway group of islands, selling your catch, and helping the people who live there. But when night falls, the game turns into a terrifying experience filled with strange creatures and dangerous waters. What makes Dredge special is its addictive gameplay loop of improving your boat while discovering unsettling mysteries – it’s a truly unique indie game.

‘The Messenger’ (2018)

‘The Messenger,’ created by Sabotage Studio and published by Devolver Digital, starts as a classic 8-bit action platformer. As you play, it cleverly transforms into a 16-bit Metroidvania, using time travel to seamlessly switch between the two distinct looks and sounds. You play as a ninja on a mission to deliver a vital scroll and protect his clan from a demonic invasion. The game is praised for its precise controls, difficult but rewarding boss battles, and witty, self-deprecating humor.

‘Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom’ (2018)

This game, created by Game Atelier and published by FDG Entertainment, is heavily inspired by the classic ‘Wonder Boy’ series. It boasts beautiful, hand-drawn graphics and lets you change into various animals, each with special powers. These transformations are key to exploring the game’s connected world and figuring out its puzzles. Critics loved how polished it was and how it updated the old-school platformer style of exploration.

‘Astalon: Tears of the Earth’ (2021)

Lab42 developed and DANGEN Entertainment published ‘Astalon: Tears of the Earth,’ an action-platformer where players control three heroes – a warrior, archer, and wizard – as they ascend a haunted tower to protect their home. Each hero has unique abilities needed to bypass challenges, and players can switch between them at designated checkpoints. The game features roguelite mechanics, allowing players to use collected orbs to permanently improve their stats after each failed attempt.

‘Timespinner’ (2019)

Timespinner is an action-platformer in the style of classic Metroidvania games, created by Lunar Ray Games and published by Chucklefish. You play as Lunais, who journeys through time to avenge her family’s destruction at the hands of a powerful empire. The game features magical attacks and the ability to briefly stop time, which helps with both combat and navigating tricky levels. The game world is divided between two time periods, and your actions in the past can change what the future looks like.

‘Iconoclasts’ (2018)

‘Iconoclasts’ is an action-platformer with a strong story, created by Joakim Sandberg and published by Bifrost. You play as Robin, a mechanic in a world where her skills are outlawed by those in power. The game centers around using a wrench and stun-gun to overcome tricky puzzles and battle huge bosses. Despite its bright and colorful look, ‘Iconoclasts’ explores surprisingly deep themes about faith and control.

‘Into the Breach’ (2018)

Subset Games, known for ‘FTL: Faster Than Light’, created ‘Into the Breach’, a turn-based strategy game. Players command giant robots to protect cities from an alien invasion called the Vek. The game takes place on a small map where you can see exactly what the enemy will do each turn. Winning isn’t about having stronger weapons, but about clever positioning and controlling how the enemy moves – it’s a game that rewards smart tactics.

‘Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth’ (2021)

Team Ladybug created this Metroidvania game, published by Playism, based on the beloved fantasy world of ‘Record of Lodoss War’. You play as Deedlit, a high elf, as she journeys through a strange labyrinth and faces her history. A key feature is the ability to switch between wind and fire spirits, which is essential for both taking damage and solving puzzles. With beautiful pixel art and fluid combat, it’s a standout title in the Metroidvania genre.

Please share which of these titles you plan to play or your own hidden gems in the comments.

2026-02-06 19:53