Nintendo has some world-class first-party games, but one of the major factors in the success of the Nintendo Switch was the great indie game library. Today I’m going to highlight some of the very best indie games for the Nintendo Switch.

Before we dive into things, it’s worth checking on the eShop for sales, as often these great games are on sale and you can get the for much cheaper than the origin price.

Without anymore delay, let’s dive into the best indie games for Nintendo Switch (and don’t forget, you can play all these games on Switch 2).

Cuphead

Cuphead is a 2017 run-and-gun video game developed by Canadian studio MDHR, featuring Cuphead and his brother Mugman as they battle debtors to repay a deal made with the Devil. Known for its challenging gameplay, the game allows one or two players to progress through levels and boss fights while gaining new, but limited, abilities. Inspired by 1930s animation and jazz, Cuphead features hand-drawn visuals and a jazz soundtrack that earned widespread acclaim. First announced in 2013 and released in 2017, it became a commercial and critical success, selling millions of copies and winning numerous awards. Its popularity led to a DLC expansion, The Delicious Last Course, and a Netflix animated series, The Cuphead Show!, which premiered in 2022.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a 2016 farming simulation game developed solo by Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, in which players inherit a rundown farm and work to restore it by growing crops, raising animals, and engaging in various activities like mining, fishing, and combat. The game features open-ended gameplay with skill-building and social interactions, including the ability to marry and have children. Initially developed to improve Barone’s programming and game design skills and inspired by the Story of Seasons series, the game was later published by Chucklefish. Released first for Windows and later ported to multiple platforms, Stardew Valley received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, selling over 41 million copies by December 2024 and earning recognition as one of the best video games ever made.

Return of the Obra Djinn

Return of the Obra Dinn is a 2018 adventure and puzzle game developed by Lucas Pope, creator of Papers, Please. Set in 1807, the player takes on the role of an East India Company investigator sent to a mysteriously reappeared ghost ship, the Obra Dinn, to determine the fates of its 60 missing crew and passengers. Using a magical pocket watch called the “Memento Mortem,” players explore frozen moments of death to piece together the ship’s story. Known for its unique 1-bit monochrome art style inspired by early Macintosh games, the title received critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay and storytelling, earning multiple awards, including the Seumas McNally Grand Prize.

Unavowed

Unavowed is a 2018 indie point-and-click adventure game developed by Wadjet Eye Games. Set in a supernatural version of New York City, the player chooses a male or female protagonist who, after a series of paranormal events, joins an ancient team of investigators to uncover the truth behind their past. The game blends classic 2D pixel art with modern interaction systems inspired by BioWare, featuring quests, puzzles, and branching storylines. Originally intended to be a 3D Unity game, it reverted to 2D due to technical and resource limitations. Unavowed received favorable reviews for its strong storytelling, atmospheric art, and world-building, though some critics noted its low difficulty and a few underdeveloped characters.

Dead Cells

Dead Cells is a 2018 roguelike-Metroidvania game developed by Motion Twin and Evil Empire. Players control the Prisoner, an amorphous creature fighting to escape a diseased island and defeat its King. The game features procedurally generated levels, fast-paced combat, and a permadeath system where all progress is lost on death, though players can collect “Cells” to unlock permanent upgrades. Originally envisioned as a follow-up to Die2Nite, the game shifted to a solo action-platformer inspired by titles like Team Fortress 2. Released across multiple platforms, Dead Cells received critical acclaim for its combat, level design, and replayability, selling over 5 million copies by 2021 and continuing to grow through updates and expansions.

A Short Hike

A Short Hike is a 2019 indie adventure game by Canadian developer Adam Robinson-Yu, also known as adamgryu. In this open-world exploration game, players control Claire, a bird navigating Hawk Peak Provincial Park to reach the mountain summit and get cell phone reception. Players run, climb, glide, and swim through a pixelated landscape, collecting golden feathers to increase stamina and unlock new paths. Along the way, they can engage in sidequests and mini-games offered by other animal characters. Praised for its relaxing gameplay, charming world, and freedom of exploration, A Short Hike won the 2020 Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival, though some critics noted its short length.

Balatro

Balatro is a 2024 poker-themed roguelike deck-building game developed by solo creator LocalThunk and published by Playstack. Players build and play poker hands from a standard 52-card deck to reach target scores, with limited hands and discards per round. Developed over two and a half years as a side project, the game draws inspiration from Big Two and Luck Be a Landlord. Released across major platforms in early 2024, Balatro received universal acclaim for its innovative mechanics and addictive gameplay, selling over 5 million copies by January 2025. It won Game of the Year at the 25th Game Developers Choice Awards and earned multiple top-tier nominations.

Vampire Survivors

Vampire Survivors is a 2022 roguelike shoot ’em up game developed by Luca Galante, also known as “poncle.” Players control an auto-attacking character who must survive relentless waves of monsters, unlocking new characters, weapons, and relics over time. Initially created as a small personal project during Galante’s unemployment, the game far exceeded expectations in popularity, prompting the addition of new developers and content, including expansions—one officially based on Castlevania, a major inspiration. Widely praised for its addictive gameplay, Vampire Survivors won awards for Game Design and Best Game at the BAFTAs and helped define the “bullet heaven” subgenre.

Hades

Hades is the first indie title on the list, developed by Supergiant Games. It’s a fast-paced action roguelike known for its outstanding writing, striking art design, and an addictive gameplay loop that keeps you coming back for “just one more run.”

You play as Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades, attempting to escape the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus. Along the way, you’ll receive help from iconic Greek gods like Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Ares, and Hermes, each offering unique power-ups to aid your journey.

The game features crisp, responsive controls and a diverse arsenal of weapons. The challenge lies in how far you can progress in a single run—die, and you’re sent back to the beginning. But each run offers new powers, new strategies, and new bits of story, making every attempt feel fresh and rewarding.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is another standout indie title, released early in the Nintendo Switch’s lifespan and developed by Team Cherry. This beautifully crafted Metroidvania has you exploring the mysterious underground kingdom of Hallownest as the silent, masked Knight.

Set in a vast, interconnected world of ancient caves and insectoid foes, the game combines intense combat, platforming, and rich environmental storytelling. Along your journey, you’ll encounter a range of intriguing NPCs—some helpful, others mysterious—as you uncover the secrets of this hauntingly beautiful world.

Drawing inspiration from classics like Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Super Metroid, and Mega Man, Hollow Knight is a must-play for fans of challenging, exploration-driven games. Since its release, the game has only grown, thanks to four substantial free expansions that add new content, bosses, and areas to discover.

Celeste

Rounding out the list is my final indie pick—and easily my favorite indie game of all time: Celeste. At its core, it’s a challenging platformer, but it also tells a deeply personal and emotional story that sets it apart from anything else in the genre.

You play as Madeline, a young woman battling anxiety and depression, who sets out to climb Celeste Mountain. Along the way, she encounters memorable characters—including a manifestation of her own self-doubt—that bring raw, heartfelt depth to her journey. The narrative is powerful, but what truly makes Celeste unforgettable is its tight, responsive gameplay, built around precision jumps, air dashes, and perfectly tuned difficulty.

The retro pixel art style adds charm and personality, and the incredible soundtrack ties it all together. Whether you’re playing docked or in handheld mode on the Switch, this game shines. Celeste frequently goes on sale, but it’s more than worth full price—one of the best platformers ever made, and a must-play for fans of the genre or anyone who loves games that tell meaningful stories through gameplay.

It’s worth shouting out some other games that didn’t quite make the best of list, including Undertale, Animal Well, Sea of Stars, Untitled Goose Game and Katana Zero. All very good games in their own right, but the list we went through are the cream of the crop.

Let me know in the comments what you think, and let me know if you’d swap anything in or out!