What are the best indie games on Switch? [Top 20]

The nintendo-switch is one of the best consoles for indie games! In this top 20 list, we invite you to discover the highest-rated titles on Metacritic.

1. Braid: Anniversary Edition

Originally released in 2008, Braid is returning to the Switch with a completely revamped visual style. This puzzle-platform "Culte" is considered one of the seminal indie albums of the genre, and this Anniversary Edition does it full justice.

The main idea: you can go back in time to correct your mistakes. If you make a mistake or make a wrong move, you can simply go back without losing the game. The time It thus becomes a real gameplay tool that challenges your thinking. The objective remains the same: get through the levels, avoid obstacles, and solve riddles and reach the end of each area, but the solutions require real creativity.

Why Braid: Anniversary Edition worth a visit:

• An ingenious concept that plays with the time and logic.
• A profound reflection on loss and memory.
• Smooth and accessible gameplay, even though some riddles remain quite difficult.

2. Hades

Hades mixture fast-paced action, mechanics of RPG and a story based on Greek mythology. It is one of the best single-player games a roguelike-style game, and a title perfectly suited to the Switch for playing alone.

You play the role of Zagreus, the son of the god of the underworld, and your goal is simple: to escape the underworld by facing hordes of mythological creatures, run after run. With each attempt, the story progresses, the dialogue evolves, and the relationships between the characters deepen. The gameplay is fast-paced, and the combat becomes more and more fluid as time goes on.

Why Hades is just as appealing:

• Dynamic, stylish combat that's easy to pick up.
• Funny, well-written dialogues with the gods, brought to life by a real humor.
• You make real progress with every game, even when you die.

3. The Case of the Golden Idol

The Case of the Golden Idol is a investigation game out of the ordinary. You find yourself face to face with 12 crime scenes frozen in time, and your goal is to piece together what happened: identify the suspects, find the victims, and figure out the motive. It all starts with’hidden clues in every setting.

Gameplay is based on the pure logic and a keen eye for detail. If you like puzzle games and dark, old-school stories—that's exactly what you need.

Why The Case of the Golden Idol is just as appealing:

• A captivating, non-linear scenario.
• Regarding the puzzles based on deduction and attention to detail.
• A real investigative experience, from start to finish.

4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a direct continuation of’Ori and the Blind Forest. This time, Ori sets out to find his friend Ku, a little owl that got lost after a terrible storm, and must also save the dying forest of Niwen, ravaged by a mysterious poison.

The title combines platform, exploration, and combat in a challenging adventure. Each area is imbued with a poetic atmosphere and a wonderful soundtrack, straight out of an animated movie.

Why Ori and the Will of the Wisps is just as appealing:

• A a magical and moving world, visually stunning.
• A precise platformer gameplay, sometimes difficult but always rewarding.
• A Nintendo Switch-optimized version, perfect for on-the-go use.

5. Celeste

Celeste is much more than just a platform game. It's an adventure on the mental health, pushing one's limits and acceptance, through the ascent of the Mount Celeste and its sequences rich in symbolism.

You play the role of Madeline, and each stage of the climb reflects his inner struggle with anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. The gameplay is easy to handle but quickly becomes very demanding : Every jump is precise down to the pixel, with a pace that rewards perseverance.

Why Celeste is just as appealing:

• A human message with a real treatment of malaise.
• An inclusive game, featuring accessibility options for all levels.
• Simple yet challenging gameplay, designed for single-player.

6. Dead Cells: The Queen and The Sea

Dead Cells: The Queen and the Sea is a DLCs from the base game, so you must own Dead Cells on your Switch to play it. This installment adds two new biomes endgame, the Infested Shipwreck and the Lighthouse, as well as an all-new showdown against The Queen instead of the traditional boss.

The goal is still the same: to escape from a cursed island by fighting and progressing. The roguelite gameplay rewards each death with a boost in mastery, and the pace remains nervous and demanding from start to finish.

Why Dead Cells: The Queen and the Sea is just as appealing:

• A spectacular conclusion to the story of Dead Cells, with really well-designed levels.
• Magnificent scenery and a nautical theme neat.
• Of new weapons and new enemies that bring a fresh twist to gameplay.

7. Inside

Inside takes you on an adventure that's halfway between the’interactive art and puzzle-solving. The story unfolds through the settings, the riddles and the emotions experienced. It’s a brief experience, lasting between 4 and 5 o'clock, but one that stays with you for a long time.

You have to run away from a dystopian world by solving puzzles and escaping those who want to control you. The gameplay is smooth and rewarding: you have to think, but never for too long. Each scene feels like a visual work striking, with a play of light, shadows, and movement.

Why Inside is just as appealing:

• A perfect pace that never lets you lose focus.
• A understated yet striking artistic direction.
• A an unforgettable ending, which sticks in the players' minds.

8. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a retro compilation that brings together several campaigns set in the world of Shovel Knight. It's a must-play for fans of old-school platformers on the Switch.

In this issue, you'll find several separate adventures, each with its own gameplay style, levels, and mechanics:

• Shovel of Hope
• Plague of Shadows
• Specter of Torment
• King of Cards
• Multiplayer Mode Showdown

You must defeat powerful knights, armed with a shovel, with precise and fast-paced gameplay in the true tradition of the 8-bit action game.

Why Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is just as appealing:

• Several games in one, each with their own story and playing style.
• A perfect title for fans of old-school games.
• Regarding the fights intense and memorable boss moments.

9. Hollow Knight

In Hollow Knight, you play as a quiet little knight who explores an underground kingdom called Hallownest, once prosperous, now in ruins. In this action-adventure game, you'll face off against creatures, unravel mysteries, and discover your role in this abandoned world.

The gameplay focuses on specific battles and completely free-roaming exploration. It's one of the most beautiful indie games on the Switch, and one of the richest to explore.

Why Hollow Knight is just as appealing:

• Regarding the dozens of hours of gameplay, with tons of secrets and hidden areas.
• Every fight is a thrilling challenge, sometimes difficult, but always accurate.
• A melancholic atmosphere enhanced by magnificent artistic direction.

10. Pentiment

Pentiment is a narrative game set in Germany in the 16th century, set during the Renaissance. The hero is a artist-scribe Faced with a series of murders at an abbey, it’s up to you to lead the investigation while carefully weighing every decision.

To note : Pentiment is developed by Obsidian, a studio acquired by Microsoft. It's hard to call it indie in the strict sense, but its format, narrative ambition, and modest budget clearly align it with the indie spirit.

Why Pentiment is just as appealing:

• It delves into the daily life, beliefs, and tensions of an entire community.
• Regarding the subtly written dialogues, with hidden truths coming to light.
• A slow-paced yet captivating story from start to finish.

11. Animal Well

In Animal Well, you play as a small, lonely creature in a underworld filled with mysterious animals. Released in 2024, this combat-free Metroidvania quickly became a favorite on the Switch.

You don't have any weapons, just some strange objects that are used to solve puzzles. Exploration takes precedence over action, and that's exactly what makes the adventure so compelling. You can finish the game once, but then you're left with tons of secrets to discover : Some players even think it will take months, or even years, to find everything.

Why Animal Well is just as appealing:

• A real game of curiosity and exploration, without step-by-step guidance.
• No instructions, no text: you observe, you experiment, and you learn on your own.
• A a dense and mysterious atmosphere that draws you in from start to finish.

12. Death’s Door

In Death’s Door, you play the role of a civil servant raven tasked with collecting the souls of the dead. Everything changes the day one of them slips through your fingers: suddenly, you find yourself thrust into a forgotten world where souls refuse to die.

This action-adventure game was released in 2021 on Switch. Its gameplay combines Exploration and tense battles, in a style very reminiscent of the classic top-down Zelda games. The world is both melancholic and funny, and every closed door hides a secret.

Why Death’s Door is just as appealing:

• A a world full of charm, blending dark humor and melancholy.
• Regarding the dynamic and balanced battles, never frustrating.
• Regarding the boss Highlights, both visually and mechanically.

13. Fez

Gomez thought his world was flat. Then an ancient cube descended from the stars and revealed a forbidden truth: his three-dimensional world. Suddenly, everything changes: the walls spin, paths cross, and perspectives deceive.

Your goal: folding space by spinning the world with each rotation to discover what lies behind each facet of reality. This indie game blends platform and exploration in a universe where pixel art one of a kind.

Why Fez is just as appealing:

• A game packed with secrets to discover, from start to finish.
• A zen atmosphere, brought to life by pixel art and a soft music.
• Regarding the brilliant puzzles that rely entirely on this rotation mechanism.

14. Neon White

You play the role of White, an assassin who has returned from the dead with a mission: Clean Up the Demons' Paradise. Other killers are taking part in this divine purge; there are rankings, secrets, and, at the end of the road, a single chosen one.

Neon White combines three genres at once: one Ultra-fast SPF, a system of playing cards and acrobatic parkour. On paper, it's simple, but each level quickly becomes a real puzzle of speed that you have to optimize to aim for the Gold Tier.

Why Neon White is just as appealing:

• A a stylized and mysterious world, amid angels, rivalries, and buried memories.
• Each run is a speed puzzle that you need to optimize.
• A unique gameplay which combines action, strategy, and level exploration.

15. SteamWorld Dig 2

You play the role of Dorothy, a young robot determined to find her missing friend, Rusty. Released in 2017, this adventure and platformer game was very well received on Switch upon its release.

The title combines underground exploration, a series of improvements and precise platforms, all punctuated by’dynamite explosions. Every swing of the pickaxe takes you deeper, and every session brings you closer to something enormous that lies dormant underground.

Why SteamWorld Dig 2 is just as appealing:

• Everything is fluid, funny and beautifully animated.
• Gameplay addictive : You dig deep, upgrade your gear, and come back stronger.
• A brilliant level design which rewards exploration in every nook and cranny.

16. Dave the Diver

Dave is a somewhat chubby and clumsy diver, but with an unmatched knack for finding rare fish into the depths of the mysterious Blue Hole. During the day, you explore, hunt, and bring back your catch. At night, you manage a sushi restaurant eccentric, with a team that isn't always discreet.

Behind this routine, something doesn't add up: the Blue Hole changes every day. It's up to you to to unravel the mystery of this ocean.

Note regarding independent status: Dave the Diver is developed by Mintrocket, originally a division of a major Korean publisher Nexon, which has been an independent company since 2024. It is often classified as an indie game because of its format and atmosphere.

Why Dave the Diver is just as appealing:

• A living world and surprising, changing with every dive.
• A a relaxed and fun atmosphere, with endearing characters.
• Two games in one, combining Underwater activities and restaurant management.

17. Iconoclasts

Iconoclasts is a action-platform game a pixel art game released in 2018. It combines nerve-wracking battles, clever puzzles, and boss (huge), all underpinned by a surprisingly profound story about faith, free will, and power.

You play the role of Robin, a young mechanic in a world where repairing things without permission is a crime. The adventure takes you on a journey to face a oppressive authority to save a broken world.

Why Iconoclasts is just as appealing:

• Each boss is unique, impressive, and well thought out.
• The game addresses serious and human themes, which are rare in this genre.
• A varied and clever gameplay, a mix of action and puzzles.

18. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley, is much more than just a farm game. You play as your own character, who one fine day gets tired of the daily grind and the noise of the office, opens the envelope left by his grandfather, and finds himself owner of an old piece of land at Pelican Town.

There, you farm the land, fish, cook, and build relationships with the locals. Little by little, you’re making make your new life blossom. If you're looking for some action, there are also some dungeons to explore and monsters to fight in the mines.

Why Stardew Valley is just as appealing:

• A free-form and relaxing gameplay : Do whatever you want, at your own pace.
• A real sense of progress, season after season.
• A perfect balance between Relaxation and Exploration, for all profiles.

19. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

Alone on an asteroid since two centuries, Fortune is a banished witch who lost her voice in the Great Magic Circle. Out of frustration, she summons an ancient, forbidden entity, and together, they set out to create a tarot deck.

In this narrative adventure game, you'll Create your own cards, pull the threads of fate, and talk with other witches.

Why The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is just as appealing:

• The Creating Your Own Tarot Cards, a mechanic that's rare in this genre.
• An adventure about power, identity, and destiny, driven by a rich writing.
• A moving visual style and a captivating atmosphere.

It's an excellent choice on the’eShop If you're looking for a quiet, narrative-driven story that will stay with you for a long time.

20. Tunic

You wake up alone on a beach. No name, no clues—not even a language to help you understand what’s going on around you. Just your courage—and soon, a small sword. In Tunic, you play the role of a little fox cast into a vast, silent world, filled with secrets, shadows, and ancient deities. It’s up to you to decipher a ancient language to discover your mission.

This title is perfect if you enjoy adventure games A mysterious game where exploration takes precedence over everything else. It channels the spirit of *Zelda*, but is far more cryptic and challenging.

Why Tunic is just as appealing:

• A real game of’mental exploration, where you learn just as much by playing as by reading the hidden manual.
• Zelda-style gameplay, but more mysterious, difficult, and cryptic.
• A sublime artistic direction characterized by a very soft visual style

In conclusion, if you're looking for an original, memorable game that's perfectly suited for the Nintendo Switch, you're sure to find something you'll love in this selection. Make your choice now!

Indie games are just a glimpse of what this console has to offer. Also check out:

• Top 10 best co-op games for Nintendo Switch
• What are the best adventure games on Switch? [Top 20]

And if you're just getting started with the console, check out:

• How to hack a Nintendo Switch?
• How to access the internet with Switch