The finest Nintendo Switch indie games

Despite having some of the best AAA titles, many have dubbed the Nintendo Switch an independent machine. The Switch and Switch Lite’s portability makes them ideal for some of the best indie games, and hundreds of tiny developers appear to be enthusiastic about publishing their titles on the hybrid platform.

Even better, several previously released indie games, such as Hollow Knight, have gotten more attention and recognition since being released on the Switch. It’s a win-win for both developers and Switch owners. If you’re a new Switch owner or want to pass the time on your morning commute, we’ve compiled a list of the greatest Switch indie games.

Carrion

This has to be one of the most bizarre games of the year 2020. Carrion is a “reverse horror game” published by Devolver Digital and developed by Phobia Game Studio. Players take on the role of a scary, man-eating blob stalking their prey through a foreboding jail.

The harsh lighting is a large part of the enjoyment, as you’ll be hurling scientists and troops across the battlefield like ragdolls, but there are enough complex riddles to keep things interesting over time.

Miami Collection by Hotline

The Hotline Miami Collection brings together the original and its sequel, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, in one frantic and hard bundle, putting Devolver Digital on the map as a publisher of incredible indies. The top-down, ultraviolent games blend twitchy action gameplay with stealth in a unique way. And one of the best gaming soundtracks in recent memory ties the whole thing together.

While both games’ skillfully constructed levels allow you to kill adversaries in one hit with a range of weaponry and melee weapons, the protagonist is just as vulnerable to one-hit fatalities.

Route Zero in Kentucky

Kentucky Route Zero, a long-awaited adventure game first released in 2013, was finally released for Nintendo Switch as the “TV Edition” in early 2020. The odd adventure through underground caves is loaded with intriguing people, but the game focuses nearly entirely on the plot and dialogue rather than typical tasks.

The Switch version includes all five acts of the game, and the game’s basic aesthetic and simple controls make it great for playing on the go. However: its storytelling is significantly superior to that of most AAA games, and it’s best to start from scratch to avoid knowing too much.