10 Best 2D Indie Games On The Switch

Modern game engines such as Unreal and Unity have brought forth some of the most impressive 3D games for consoles like the Nintendo Switch. But despite this, old-school 2D platformers like Sonic Mania and Rayman Legends continue to be popular among fans of Nintendo’s latest console.

At the forefront of the 2D game renaissance are independent game development studios. The reason why indie studios continue to release 2D games is that they’re significantly easier and cheaper to produce compared to 3D games. Whether it’s narrative-driven platformer games or life simulation RPGs, indie game studios have dominated the 2D game space.

Dead Cells

Indie game developer Motion Twin has made a name for themselves by releasing free-to-play, browser-based games. However, the company has attained a lot of success thanks to its 2018 Metroidvania-style platformer, Dead Cells.

In Dead Cells, players take the form of a sentient clump of re-animated cells that use corpses to escape a massive prison. Players shouldn’t feel discouraged when they fail and die during a run. While dying restarts the game, players get to retain permanent upgrades that can give their characters helpful abilities. Because of Dead Cells’ smooth game mechanics and sprawling visuals, the title is considered one of the best roguelite games today.

Underhero

Underhero is a side-scroller game that combines some of the best aspects of different popular games. From the platforming mechanics of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, the engaging humor of Undertale, and the impressive turn-based combat of Paper Mario, Underhero takes elements from various genres in order to create a memorable gaming experience on the Switch.

In Underhero, the subordinate of the main villain takes the place of a failed hero and vows to save the world. Created by a collective of four game developers, the title is a truly impressive feat by the independent video game community.

Stardew Valley

Primarily inspired by the classic life simulation game Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley has been revered by critics and casual gamers alike. Aside from offering gamers a ton of player choice, the title also has a superb balance of long, short, and midterm goals, which then keeps players peeled on their screens.

Game developer Eric Barone (also known as ConcernedApe) took a good four years to develop Stardew Valley by himself with the goal of fixing the shortcomings that plagued Harvest Moon. The title is an open-ended game, with plenty of hidden elements like legendary fish that will encourage Switch users to keep playing the game.

Super Meat Boy

The roots of Super Meat Boy can be traced to the popular entertainment and gaming website Newgrounds. In 2009, developer Edmun McMillen started the Meat Boy franchise and released the game to the praise of game critics and adventure game enthusiasts alike. Recently, the game has been reported for the Switch ⁠with all of its levels and cutscenes intact. Although, the beloved original soundtrack of the game failed to make an appearance due to licensing issues.

Casual gamers should be warned though, that Super Meat Boy is an extremely challenging title. In spite of having simple game mechanics that involve making precise jumps and turns, the game has no checkpoints. So, making a simple mistake and miscalculation can cause players to fail and start the game from the beginning.

Hollow Knight

Fans of the Metroidvania genre should give Hollow Knight a try. In the game, players assume the role of an insect-like nameless warrior who’s navigating a ruined world full of hostile monsters. There are so many things to do in the world of Hollow Knight, whether it’s exploring secret areas or interacting with the game’s plethora of NPCs.

From the brilliant minds of Team Cherry, Hollow Knight is a 2D indie game that perfectly balances its stunning visuals with rich and engaging gameplay. Because it has plenty of remarkable elements, it has unsurprisingly inspired other fun platformers for the Switch and continues to have a dedicated fanbase.

GoNNer

Players who want to explore more challenging games should check out GoNNer. The 2016 game by indie game development studio Art In Heart is a score-based platformer that contains dynamic and demanding levels. In the game, players take control of an altruistic water drop who is on a quest to find a gift for Sally, a friendly space whale.

Storywise, not a lot is explained in the world of GoNNer. However, the simplistic story is made up for by the game’s difficulty and outstanding art design. In each randomly-generated run, the main character encounters terrifying cave monsters, nefarious machines, and even Death himself.

Adventure Pals

Adventure Pals is a 2D game with outlandishly cartoony graphics. Its wacky protagonist’s main mission is to save his father from being transformed into a hotdog. Developed by Australian independent game studio Massive Monster, Adventure Pals is an entertaining side scroller that gamers can play for hours on end.

Alongside the player’s journey are a faithful giraffe and a rock named Mr. Rock. Obviously, Adventure Pals doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it the perfect title for players who want a lighthearted and humor-filled gaming experience.

Splasher

Set in a colorful cartoon universe, Splasher is a 2D platformer where players are given a paint cannon with ink that can be used to hurt enemies, as well as traverse different areas of the game. This exciting title is independently made by Romain Claude, a former game and level designer from renowned game studio Ubisoft.

On the surface, Splasher looks like yet another typical 2D platformer that could get old fast. However, the cartoony and vibrant art direction, as well as its fluid and fast-paced gameplay, help the fun title stand out from the crowd.

Shovel Knight

With more than two spin-offs, multiple awards, and a committed cult following, Shovel Knight is a Switch title that every gamer should try. The objective of the game is simple: help the main character make his way up to the top of a tower to defeat a powerful enchantress (and dig a lot along the way).

Game studio Yacht Club Games made sure that Shovel Knight’s groundbreaking graphics were partnered with diverse gameplay and brilliant level design, all of which work together to make it an exciting platformer for the Switch.

Evergate

Fans of puzzle games will surely enjoy Stone Lantern Game’s Evergate. In the 2D platformer, players control Ki, a spirit who is responsible for helping souls bridge into the afterlife. With a moving story and strong puzzle mechanics, Evergate is a title that perfectly balances the puzzle genre with popular aspects of platform games.

The player’s goal in the game is to reach a marked gate using crystals that perform a variety of functions, which include propelling Ki into different directions. While the controls are a little hard to master at first, the game’s intricate power-up system and fun puzzles make it a title worth losing hours to.

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