Nintendo’s latest Indie World showcase was a vibrant display of independent game creativity, tailored for Switch enthusiasts. The event unveiled a plethora of new titles, ranging from platformers and life sims to tactical adventures and narrative-driven experiences. This showcase highlighted the depth and diversity of indie games, offering something for every type of gamer.
Highlighting Upcoming Indie Gems
The showcase featured a variety of games, each with its unique charm and gameplay mechanics:
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
Resurrecting a canceled Game Boy Advance title, this platformer from WayForward allows players to transform Shantae into different animals and manipulate stages. It also includes a 4-player local battle mode, set for release next year.
Core Keeper
A mining sandbox adventure by Pugstorm, set in a procedurally generated cave system. Players must survive, build, and uncover ancient mysteries, set to release in summer 2024.
On Your Tail
From Memorable Games, this sleuthy story-driven life sim takes place in an Italian seaside town. Combining mystery-solving with life sim elements, it’s a timed console exclusive hitting Switch next year.
Howl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_YkQRFZnO8
A turn-based tactical folk tale by Mi’pu’mi Games, set in medieval times and centered around a deaf protagonist fighting plague-infected beasts. It’s available now on Switch, with a demo on eShop.
The Star Named EOS
This first-person narrative adventure by Silver Lining Studio involves photography and puzzle-solving in a hand-drawn world. It’s slated for a spring 2024 release.
Backpack Hero
Jaspel’s roguelike adventure combines dungeon exploration with inventory management. It features different heroes and a story mode, available now on eShop.
Blade Chimera
Team Ladybug’s 2D cyberpunk adventure in Osaka, featuring the Lumina Sword, which can control time. It’s coming to Switch in spring next year.
A Highland Song
From Inkle, this narrative-focused platformer set in the Highlands is full of exploration and musical elements, arriving on December 5th.
Moonstone Island
An open-world life-sim by Studio Supersoft, featuring creature collecting and card-based combat. It’s launching as a timed console exclusive in spring 2024.
Death Trick: Double Blind
A non-linear detective visual novel by Misty Mountain Studio, offering two perspectives to solve a magician’s disappearance. A demo is available now on eShop, with a full release next year.
Outer Wilds
Archaeologist Edition: Mobius Digital’s acclaimed game arrives on Switch on December 7th, including the Echoes of the Eye expansion, with a physical release planned next year.
Other Notable Mentions and Releases
The showcase also briefly featured other exciting titles:
- Planet of Lana: A cinematic sci-fi puzzle adventure coming in spring 2024.
- Enjoy the Diner: A point-and-click-style narrative game available now on eShop.
- Heavenly Bodies: A physics-based space game releasing in February 2024.
- The Gecko Gods: A reptile-themed exploration adventure set for release next spring.
- Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist: A painting adventure available now on eShop.
- Urban Myth Dissolution Center: A paranormal mystery game arriving next year.
- Braid, Anniversary Edition: Scheduled to hit Switch on April 30th, 2024.