Have you ever searched through new releases on the Nintendo eShop and found yourself googly-eyed and wondering what to play? Well, me too. I’ve gone through the charts to find what looks like some incredible new indie releases to Switch. Not enough people are talking about these titles—so let’s do it here!
While there’s so much to choose from, here’s a list of five new indie Nintendo Switch releases that you should check out this month.
1. For Those Nostalgic for the NES Era: Project Blue
A cool fact about Project Blue is that it was actually released three years ago on the Nintendo Entertainment System (yes, the one from the ’80s). Published by 8 Bit Legit, this 2D action adventure is now available to play on both Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X/S.
In Project Blue, a secret bio-weapons lab is conducting horrendous experiments on homeless youth living in the concrete wasteland. Together with a test subject codenamed PROJECT BLUE, your aim is to take down the multinational entity that’s overrunning Neo Hong Kong. The game features four main areas to explore, as well as multiple difficulty modes.
While this game is great for those nostalgic for a simpler time in gaming, there is one important thing to keep in mind. According to Indie Gamer Chick’s review of the game, there are no save states. That said, however, the game takes around three to five hours to beat. If you like old-school Mega Man or Metroid, or just love binging 8-bit graphics, Project Blue should be worth a pick-up.
Release Date, Platforms, and MSRP: 10/6 for $9.99 on Nintendo Switch; previously released on NES
2. For Those Who Enjoy Detective Games: Saltsea Chronicles
Saltsea Chronicles is a narrative adventure where you search for the missing Captain Maja. Together with her crew, you explore the post-flood world (“Saltsea”) and uncover the conspiracy of Captain Maja’s disappearance. Saltsea Chronicles lets the player decide where to lead the journey by choosing where to go, who and how deep to investigate, and so on. Along the way, you and Captain Maja’s crew will discover secrets and collect records of these experiences in your Almanac.
Saltsea Chronicles looks like it’ll offer a lot of replayability. Different playthroughs may take you to different areas within the world and bring new encounters with different NPCs. All in all, this game offers an exciting mystery in which the player is at the forefront of the investigation. I’m excited to try this when it comes out, as there seems to be so much to uncover.
Release Date, Platforms, and MSRP: 10/12 for $24.99 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Mac
3. For Those Who Play Too Much 8-Ball on iMessage: Subpar Pool
Subpar Pool is a silly, yet simple game about pool, but with a twist: Each course plays like mini-golf.
While the game is pool at its core, you get to create your course by choosing cards that provide you a uniquely challenging and tailored experience. With these cards, the game offers more than 14,000 ways to create a unique experience. Subpar Pool also includes zany gimmicks to shake things up like conveyor belts, portals, time limits, and more.
The art style reminds me of Dumb Ways to Die and looks like an absolute blast. Unfortunately, Subpar Pool doesn’t offer multiplayer, but it will still be a great title to play on the go on Nintendo Switch and sink countless hours into.
Release Date, Platforms, and MSRP: 10/12 for $9.99 on Nintendo Switch; previously released on Windows
4. For Those Who Need a New Dungeon Crawler in Their Life: Dwerve
Dwerve is a dungeon crawler RPG where you venture into a ruined kingdom. You play as a dwarf tinkerer who discovers turrets and traps—the only weapons that can protect you and other dwarves from Witch-Queen Vandra and her army of trolls. While wandering the kingdom, you’ll fight monsters, find hidden secrets, complete puzzles, and discover powerful artifacts to help you defeat the evil Witch-Queen.
What intrigues me most about the vibes of Dwerve is that it feels like Trolls meets The Legend of Zelda (NES). This game has received massive support on Kickstarter so it’ll surely be good. (Right? Right?!) Despite a successful Kickstarter campaign, I haven’t seen much buzz around this title. We’ll just have to wait and see how this adventure plays out for ourselves.
Release Date, Platforms, and MSRP: 10/12 for $19.99 on Nintendo Switch; previously released on Windows and Mac
5. For Those Who Love a Good Story (And Miss the ‘90s): A Perfect Day
Will this game make you cry? Maybe. In A Perfect Day, you play as an elementary schoolboy who lacks the courage to give a card to his favorite classmate. Throughout this interactive narrative, you discover secrets kept by your friends, family, and classmates and help them live their “perfect day.” However, the day never seems to end perfectly because you relive December 31, 1999, in an endless loop.
Within this magical realism-inspired visual novel, you get to play mini-games on your Gamicom system and be a regular ‘90s kid. However, I have a feeling this one will tug on your heartstrings a bit.
Release Date, Platforms, and MSRP: 10/25 for $19.99 on Nintendo Switch; previously released on Windows and Mac
What Indie Games Are You Playing This October?
Have you heard of any of the indie titles listed above? Do you plan on playing any of them or are you saving your time for something else? Let us know in the comments!
