21 Hidden Gems on Nintendo Switch (December 2019)

Nintendo has stated that they would like to see 20-30 games released on the Switch EVERY WEEK. Fans are concerned as these games will be mostly filled with shovelware, but deep within that shovelware there will be some hidden gems on Nintendo Switch.

This list is not to list the best indie games on the system, and if that’s what you were hoping for then you can click the link right here. No, this list is to highlight those games that you may just scroll past as you’re searching for that one big title; titles that we believe deserve their chance in the spotlight.

Disclaimer: We will only list hidden gems on Nintendo Switch that we have personally played ourselves, so please feel free to list any suggestions in the Comments section below and we’ll be sure to consider it when we update this list. Also, all prices listed are in USD.

The Bug Butcher

Price $7.99
Published By 2Awesome Studio
Genre Action / Arcade
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 2

The Bug Butcher is a beautifully crafted arcade shooter that requires you to take down the bugs across 30 stages, picking up power-ups along the way to increase your chances. Whether you play in solo or co-op mode, this game is sure to bring a challenge to any skilled veteran, whilst never seeming impossible. The Bug Butcher has colorful graphics and fantastic humor to really bring so much personality in this simple but engaging arcade-inspired gem.

Damsel

Price $16.99
Developed By Screwtape Studios
Published By / Arcade / Platformer
Rating E10+
Players 1

Damsel is an arcade action platformer full of bite-sized levels for you to quickly progress through from one to the next. The plot follows Damsel, a light-footed special agent with just the right amount of sass, as she takes on the underbelly of the corporate vampire world. Uncover their sinister plots, complete your missions and put a stop to their human kidnappings.

If you’d like to learn more about Damsel, click here to read our review.

Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers

Price $39.99
Developed By Undefined
Published By NIS America
Genre RPG
Rating E10+
Players 1

Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers is a turn-based JRPG about time travel and protecting the ones you love. When a young girl named Sherry and her friend Pegreo witness the folks of Clocknee being replaced with hostile machines on the turn of the millennium, they, and their time-travelling robot Isaac, must travel through time to change the course of destiny.

If you’d like to learn more about Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers, click here to read our review.

Ding Dong XL

Price $0.99
Developed By Nickervision Studios
Published By Nickervision Studios
Genre Action / Arcade
Rating E
Players 1

Ding Dong XL is a simplistic arcade game that has you shooting a ball from one side to the other. It may not sound like much, but the concept relies on its addictive simplicity instead of attempting to complicate things. It just depends on whether the core of the game is worth the buck.

If you’d like to learn more about Ding Dong XL, click here to read our review.

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Flat Heroes

Price $9.99
Developed By Parallel Circles
Published By Deck 13
Genre Action / Arcade / Party / Platformer
Rating E
Players 1-4

Flat Heroes is a platformer with a minimalistic art style, but the game packs in so much more than what you’d initially think. Packed with more than 300 bite-sized levels, as well as daily challenges, unlimited survival levels and online leaderboards, this game is packed with content for such a low price. The gameplay is smooth and refined, requiring you to avoid oncoming hazards from multiple directions and survive until they stop. It starts off easy, but you’ll soon find yourself dying multiple times in a single levels. Flat Heroes is certainly a game to challenge any seasoned platforming fan.

If you’d like to learn more about Flat Heroes, click here to read our review.

Forma.8

Price $9.99
Developed By MixedBag Srl
Published By MixedBag Srl
Genre Action / Adventure / Arcade
Rating E10+
Players 1

Being the only Metroidvania on the list, Forma.8 is a unique take on the genre. Play as Forma.8, the little exploration probe tasked with the mission to recover a powerful energy source on an alien planet. With a colorful art style and a clean presentation, Forma.8 is a rich adventure that thrives in its simplistic graphics and surprisingly deep gameplay. Forma.8 is often on sale so it’s definitely a fantastic game to consider for a steal.

Freedom Planet

Price $14.99
Developed By GalaxyTrail
Published By Marvelous (XSEED)
Genre Action / Adventure / Platformer
Rating E10+
Players 1

On its initial release in 2014, 2D Sonic fans rejoiced as Freedom Planet represented a lot of what fans of the blue hedgehog were missing. However now that we’re living in a post-Sonic Mania world, that doesn’t take away everything that is unique about this hidden gem. Play as the dragon Lilac, the feline Carol and Milla the shy puppy on a quest to restore power to the Kingdom Stone that emits energy to the three kingdoms, but is beginning to weaken. The combat takes a more action/platformer approach, with a variety of attacks to dish out to your enemies. The story is deeper than you’d expect, with every single line of dialogue delivered with quality voice acting. Definitely not one to skip for Sonic fans, or simply fans of the 2D platformer genre.

Gyro Boss DX

Price $4.99
Developed By Chequered Ink
Published By Chequered Ink
Genre Action / Arcade / Party
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Gyro Boss DX is a fantastic example of how a game can have such a lasting impact with such simple graphics and controls. This hidden gem is a retro inspired bullet-hell arcade game that has you circling an invading alien and dodging the projectiles that come your way. The game also comes complete with a Party Mode that pits you against your friends and family in a last man standing deathmatch.

If you’d like to learn more about Gyro Boss DX, click here to read our review.

Hook

Price $1.99
Developed By Rainbow Train
Published By Rainbow Train
Genre Puzzle
Rating E
Players 1

Hook is a very simple puzzle game that requires you to retract all of the lines to complete a level. However, this is easier said than done. The lines must be retracted in specific orders as one line’s path may be blocked by another. The game starts off easy, but quickly becomes a head-scratching brain-twister as the levels become more complex.

If you’d like to learn more about Hook, click here to read our review.

Horizon Shift ’81

Price $9.99
Developed By Flump Studios
Published By Funbox Media
Genre Arcade / Shooter / Action
Rating E
Players 1

Horizon Shift ‘81 is a love letter to classic arcade shoot ‘em ups, recreating that feeling of walking up to an arcade machine for the very first time, but with modern twists to pull it into the 21st century. It may not look like much at first, but Horizon Shift ‘81 is a breath of fresh air to a genre that can often grow stale.

If you’d like to learn more about Horizon Shift ’81, click here to check out our review.

Jotun: Valhalla Edition

Price $14.99
Developed By Thunder Lotus Games
Published By Thunder Lotus Games
Genre Action / Adventure
Rating T
Players 1

Jotun: Valhalla Edition is a beautifully hand-drawn action game that immerses you in Norse mythology. Thora, a female viking warrior who has suffered an inglorious death, must prove herself to the Gods in order to enter Valhalla. Featuring nine levels filled to the brim with Viking mythology, take down ferocious Jotuns (giant Norse elementals) with Thora’s two-handed axe and powers bestowed upon her by the gods. While the game has been on many consoles (including Wii U), the game’s polish and unique premise is certainly cause for more notoriety. Jotun: Valhalla Edition is a beautifully rendered action game that is as challenging as it is beautiful.

The Low Road

Price $14.99
Developed By XGen Studios
Published By XGen Studios
Genre Adventure / Puzzle
Rating E10+
Players 1

Spy agencies in the 1970s were filled with danger and mystery, but when Noomi Kovaks is fresh out of spy school and lands a job at a spy agency that won’t let her out to the field, she takes matters into her own hands. Featuring over 32,000 words of fully voice-acted dialogue, The Low Road is filled with interesting characters and fantastic plot development. Use your wit to solve some branching dialogue puzzles in order to get the truth out of some wacky characters.

If you’d like to learn more about The Low Road, click here to read our review.

Mars Power Industries

Price $3.99
Developed By 7A Games
Published By SONKA
Genre Strategy / Puzzle
Rating E
Players 1

Mars Power Industries is described as a feel good resource management game. Humans are beginning to colonise on Mars and your job is to set up power plants in order to bring power and resources to thrive and survive. With calm and minimalist music to lay on top, Mars Power Industries may well be the perfect way to relax after a long day on the ol’ mine.

If you’d like to learn more about Mars Power Industries, click here to read our review.

Mimpi Dreams

Price $9.99
Developed By Dreadlocks
Published By Dreadlocks
Genre Adventure / Puzzle / Platformer
Rating E
Players 1

Mimpi is a lazy dog. He likes to sleep a lot but in his dreams, he can be whatever he wants to be and go wherever he wants to go. In his dreams, Mimpi can be the star of the show, the hero of the narrative, collecting dog bones and solving puzzles. Where does this lead to you might ask? Well back to his own bed, of course!

If you’d like to learn more about Mimpi Dreams, click here to read our review.

The Mooseman

Price $6.99
Developed By Sometimes You
Published By Sometimes You
Genre Adventure / Platformer / Puzzle / Education
Rating E10+
Players 1

The Mooseman is a 2D puzzle adventure game that has you solving riddles in order to pass through planes of existence and make your way to The Upper World. Inspired by pagan myths of the Chud’ and Finno-Urgic tribes, encounter forgotten gods and unlock new abilities as you make your way through the layers of creation. For what this game may lack in challenge, it makes up for in its setting, presentation and education. The Mooseman offers memorable picturesque moments that you wouldn’t normally find in most mainstream games.

If you’d like to learn more about The Mooseman, click here to read our review.

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more Nintendo Switch content. Also, please consider supporting us on Patreon so that we can continue to do what we love doing.

Pawarumi

Price $14.99
Developed By Manufacture 43
Published By Manufacture 43
Genre Action / Arcade
Rating E10+
Players 1

Back in April 2017, Pawarumi was successfully funded on Kickstarter. The campaign promised high-octane shoot ’em up action whilst setting out to do its own thing in the process. After two years of waiting for a Nintendo Switch port, that day has finally arrived and is looking to challenge the likes of Ikaruga and Horizon Shift ’81.

If you’d like to learn more about Pawarumi, click here to read our review.

Pix the Cat

Price $9.99
Developed By PLAYDIGIOUS
Published By PLAYDIGIOUS
Genre Arcade / Multiplayer / Party / Puzzle
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Pix the Cat is an arcade puzzle game akin to classics of the genre. Manoeuvre Pix the Cat through top-down levels to collect eggs and guide the hatched ducklings to safety. However, there are many obstacles and hazards to overcome, including your own conga-line of ducklings behind you. Think Snake meets Pac-Man.

If you’d like to learn more about Pix the Cat, click here to read our review.

Poi: Explorer Edition

Price $29.99
Developed By PolyKid, LLC
Published By PolyKid
Genre Platformer / Adventure
Rating E10+
Players 1

For those who grew up in the golden age of 3D platformers, Poi will surely tickle that nostalgia bone. Poi is an ambitious title that takes inspiration from classic Super Mario and Banjo-Kazooie games on the Nintendo 64. Embark on a grand adventure across many worlds, and don’t forget to pick up many collectibles along the way! If you’ve played Super Mario Odyssey and Yooka-Laylee and are still looking for more 3D platforming fun, then Poi should be your next choice.

If you’d like to know more about this game, then click here to read our review of Poi.

Splasher

Price $14.99
Developer Splashteam
Published By Plug In Digital
Genre Platformer / Arcade / Action
Rating T
Players 1

Ever wanted to spray colored ink out of your gun and use that ink to reach certain areas. No we’re not talking about Splatoon; we’re talking about Splasher! This game takes place in a paint factory, and you are a worker that must stand up and fight back against Le Docteur in order to save the Splashers. With challenging platforming that forces you to utilize the game’s unique mechanics, Splasher is a one-of-a-kind 2D platformer that hasn’t had enough time in the spotlight.

If you’d like to learn more about Splasher, click here to read our Quick Review.

Squidgies Takeover

Price $15.00
Developer GiantMargarita
Published By Giant Margarita
Genre Platformer / Puzzle
Rating E
Players 1

Squidgies Takeover is a physics-based puzzle game where you’re tasked with guiding cute little blobs to warp holes so that they can escape their Momma’s tentacles and find new planets to inhabit. Use seven different power-ups to transform Squidgies in order to guide the others to freedom and unlock more levels. However don’t get too attached, not every Squidgy will have a fairy tale ending.

If you’d like to learn more about Squidgies Takeover, click here to read our review.

Tamashii

Price $11.99
Developer Vikintor
Published By Digerati
Genre Platformer / Arcade / Puzzle
Rating M
Players 1

Tamashii is a 2D puzzle-platformer set in a nightmarish temple filled with a mysterious source of evil. Delve deeper into this temple, make clones of yourself and use the game’s mechanics to its fullest in order to learn more about the horrors that lie within.

If you’d like to learn more about Tamashii, click here to read our review.

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