What The Best-Selling Indie Games On Nintendo Switch In 2021 Were

The Nintendo Switch is a thriving platform for classics and AAA releases but is also home to many indie games that have experienced great success over the years but indie games were some of the best-selling in 2021. Though the Nintendo Switch may appear as a home to more extensive franchises like Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, and Mario, it also features a vast library of games from independent developers and smaller publishers. While these games are more low profile than more prominent titles, their lower prices and smaller developmental teams result in charming products that are well-deserving of the spotlight.

While the Nintendo Switch struggles against other consoles in graphics, performance, and memory, its handheld and docked modes provide significant advantages with portability and modification. Gaming has steadily become a more time-consuming hobby, bringing more value to the Switch’s handheld functions. In addition, the brevity of indie games makes many titles a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch, resulting in many indie projects receiving plenty of love for the platform.

Nintendo released a short Twitter video highlighting some of the popular indie game releases on the Nintendo Switch console. A brief compilation of in-game cinematics and gameplay provides a glimpse at some of the best-selling indie titles on the Nintendo Switch in 2021. Though there are plenty of AAA games available on the Switch, indie titles have a chance to shine on a more exclusive platform while still reaching a broad audience.

Stick Fight: The Game Was A Best-Selling Indie Game In 2021 On Switch

Stick Fight: The Game is a relatively simple game where players utilize in-game physics to battle and defeat one another on various levels. Weapons like guns and spears spawn across shifting maps filled with dangers. Matches quickly descend in fun-filled chaos, tossing aside flashy abilities and character designs for a simpler experience. Stick Fight: The Game took the internet by storm after its release, featuring many videos by several high-profile content creators on Twitch and YouTube. Players can choose different colors for their stick figures and embrace a more classic fighting game than series like Mortal Kombat or Super Smash Bros. Given its low graphics quality and enjoyable gameplay, it’s unsurprising Stick Fight: The Game earned itself a spot as one of the most popular indie games on the Switch.

2021 Best-Selling Indie Game On Nintendo Switch – Unpacking

Like many games that succeeded in 2020 and 2021, Unpacking focuses on stress-free, zen-style puzzle gameplay that enables players to unpack certain boxes and steadily decorate rooms. While some levels come with challenges, the gameplay loop provides players with moments of introspection and encourages an attachment to only the most essential things. Combined with calming music and simple mechanics, Unpacking on the Nintendo Switch is reported to run quite well and provides an entertaining experience in both handheld and docked forms.

2021 Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Indie Game – Road 96

Road 96 is an indie hitchhiking game that pushes players into a procedurally generated journey to escape Petria. Players can meet dozens of unique characters on their trip to the border and experience a new adventure with each save. Peaceful exploration melds with heart-pounding action and drastic decisions that change the player character’s world (and characters). Though escape is the ultimate goal, the journey is what truly matters in Road 96. Road 96 is only 3.2 GB, a good sign for Nintendo Switch owners low on memory space, and is a single-player experience.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights Was A 2021 Bestseller On Switch

Ender Lilies is a dark fantasy 2D RPG that sets players after a kingdom’s downfall. While exploring the territory called Land’s End, players can unravel the mystery of “The Rain of Death” and how it brought about the end of such a sprawling kingdom. Accompanied by a strange girl called Lily, players must defeat terrifying enemies to discover the true mystery and reunite Lily with her former companions.

Choices are given to players throughout Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights has the potential to change the story, vastly increasing the game’s replayability. Given its beautiful art style and hauntingly calming music, it’s unsurprising Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is one of the Nintendo Switch’s best-selling indie games in 2021.

Subnautica On Nintendo Switch Was A Best-Selling Indie Game In 2021

Subnautica capitalized on the survival game genre during its peak, stranding players on a primarily oceanic world following their spaceship crash. Players must navigate the vast ocean, build bases, and uncover different ways to escape the planet. Unfortunately, the player and their submarine aren’t the only things exploring the deep, with terrifying creatures like Subnautica’s Leviathan and Reaper Leviathan lurking in the dark. Nevertheless, cohesive crafting mechanics and seemingly endless activities, goals, and base-building systems ensure players won’t run out of things to do in this aquatic survival game.

Nintendo Switch Best-Selling Indie Game Of 2021 – Slime Rancher

Slime Rancher isn’t a new indie game on the market and originated on older Xbox and PlayStation consoles several years ago. However, despite its growing age, Slime Rancher remains a frontrunner in the farming simulator genre. Players explore an alien planet and take on the responsibilities of a Slime Rancher. Different biomes are home to incredible creatures with different abilities and values, producing resources that vary daily on the galactic market. Though Slime Rancher’s setting is vibrant, its gameplay depends on a somewhat repetitive loop, but its relaxing music and satisfying mechanics provide an entertaining experience that runs amazingly on the Nintendo Switch.

Curse of the Dead Gods Is A Best-Selling Indie Game On Nintendo Switch

After the success of Hades, it’s unsurprising other roguelike games are seeing success on the Nintendo Switch. Curse of the Dead Gods is a top-down roguelike that explores a hauntingly beautiful fantasy setting. Players can wield bows, swords, spears, and more as they progress through the sprawling depths. Unique curses influence each playthrough, which provides the gameplay loop with interesting changes between each life. As the player seeks eternal life and endless riches, the labyrinth-like temple ends lives and bestows new gifts. The Curse of the Dead Gods roguelike experience provides Nintendo Switch owners with an excellent game to play for hours.

Cyber Shadow Is A Best-Selling Indie Game On Switch For 2021

Cyber Shadow is an indie pixel platformer that takes place in a world conquered by an evil scientist. Shadow, the sole survivor of his clan, travels through the ruins of Mekacity on a final quest to acquire ancient powers before time runs out. Players must slash their way through hordes of powerful bosses and mobs in a sci-fi robot apocalypse.

Cyber Shadow’s art style and aesthetic are pretty similar to Sonic’s urban levels, which provides a sense of nostalgia for this unique masterpiece. So it’s unsurprising that Cyber Shadow earned itself a spot as one of the Nintendo Switch’s best-selling indie games in 2021.

Tetris Effect Connected Sold Well On Nintendo Switch In 2021

Tetris is a classic gaming franchise that hasn’t seen much change over the years, but Tetris Effected Connected is an extremely enjoyable remaster with new modes and art styles. Tetris Effect Connected still features the classic Tetris modes and introduces several multiplayer modes. Players can now pit their skills against one another in competitive and cooperative settings. Though Nintendo Online services provide a questionable internet connection quality, Tetris Effect Connected is the perfect return to a beloved franchise for new and old fans alike.

Eastward Was A Bestseller On Nintendo Switch In 2021

Eastward is an action RPG puzzle game that follows Sam and John as they leave their underground home to explore the world above ground. Simple puzzles and encounters fill the world, along with a hidden minigame called Earthborn that remains available until Chapter 7. Eastward’s style is reminiscent of Undertale and other adventure RPGs, exploring different themes through its worldbuilding and characters that are prevalent today. Additionally, Eastward received a 5/5 from ScreenRant reviewers and many positive reviews from critics and players alike. Its difficulty level and art style makes it a perfect addition to the Nintendo Switch, and its recent release proves the popularity and attention Eastward is receiving on the platform.

Doki Doki Literature Club Was A Bestselling Title On Switch In 2021

Doki Doki Literature Club took the internet by storm when it first released in 2017, utilizing horror elements into its visual novel. The player character is a nervous high school boy who hasn’t connected with many social groups. However, he is invited by Syori, a childhood friend, to join the literature club and meet the game’s main cast.

Doki begins to explore romantic subplots and the personal journeys of each character in increasingly disturbing ways. While the game received a positive reception, its suicide and psychological horror themes may make it unsuitable for younger Switch owners. Still, these themes didn’t stop it from being a bestseller on Switch in 2021.

Spelunky 2 Was An Indie Bestseller On Switch In 2021

Spelunky 2 is a 2D platformer with roguelike qualities that takes place on the Moon, where the player controls Ana, who is searching for her missing parents. The lunar caves feature ravenous enemies, dangerous traps, and new challenges, with each playthrough providing new choices and strategies. As players progress through Spelunky 2, new levels and characters become available. Additionally, the game is available for four-player online multiplayer, which game owners can utilize in cooperative or competitive game modes.

Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Indie Games In 2021 -Littlewood

Littlewood presents players with an unexpected concept: beginning the game after the player character has already saved the world. The Hero must begin rebuilding their town, inviting passerbyers to settle down to cultivate a new society. Players can explore Enchanted Forests, Fishing Towns, Dark Caves, and more while exploring the world of Solemn. Littlewood also features farming simulator and building mechanics with fishing, mining, bug catching, and harvesting activities. As the story progresses, the Hero begins to regain their memories and understand how they defeated the Dark Wizard. Littlewood has something for everyone and provides players with the opportunity to explore a chapter of storytelling often left out, making it a must-have indie project on the Nintendo Switch.

About The Author

Natalie Lindner
(501 Articles Published)

Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.

Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.

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