Nintendo hosted its latest Indie World presentation, giving a high-profile debut or fresh looks at a whole slew of promising upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch. From relaxing games to high-octane pixel platformers, there was a little something for everyone. And if you're just so itching for something new to play that you can't wait to get your hands on some great games, good news: Some of them are out right now. RIP your wallet.
As an Indie World presentation, this was focused strictly on third-party games--and more narrowly, on third-party games made by independent teams. So we didn't hear anything about Nintendo's own first-party releases like the long-MIA Advance Wars, imminent releases like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, or 2023 Nintendo games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom--though we did receive a fresh new Pokemon trailer in advance of the Indie World presentation.
The independent focus makes these games an eclectic mix of cultural influences and perspectives, from south Indian cooking to Japanese folklore. There are a few bigger indies in the bunch too, like a Switch port of the critically acclaimed Inscryption, and Sports Story, the sequel to the acclaimed Golf Story. Read on for a full wrap-up of everything shown at the Nintendo Indie World presentation.
Sports Story
After an absence so long that it was one of our most anticipated games of 2020, Sports Story made its triumphant return as the big finish in the Indie World presentation. This sequel to the acclaimed Golf Story takes the next logical step by blowing it out to include a ton of other sports and other activities. The new trailer showed off a dizzying number of sports you can play. You start out with only a few sports like golf, but before long you'll raise your sporting rank to unlock more sports including BMX biking, volleyball, cricket, and more.
Of course, this isn't just a sports story. You'll also visit the mall and go on RPG-like quests, explore dungeons and wastelands, encounter a pirate riding a train, and other wacky misadventures. Sports Story is also closer than you might think, as the presentation also announced that it's coming out in December.
Rogue Legacy 2
The anticipated follow-up to the roguelite action-platformer released on PC earlier this year, and now it's coming to Switch. And by now we mean right now, it's out, so go get it. The Switch release includes the Fabled Heroes update that packs new subclasses and items, so you'll get the full Rogue Legacy 2 experience right out of the box. For more, check out GameSpot's Rogue Legacy 2 review, which gave it a stellar 9/10.
A Little to the Left
In the "chill vibes" category we have A Little to the Left, a relaxing game that almost ended the presentation. A Little to the Left is a sorting game that focuses on tidying up, complete with extremely satisfying clicks and clacks as things fit just into place. It's basically r/oddlysatisfying as a series of minigames. The twist is the presence of a cat, inspired by the developers' real-life pet, who occasionally pops up to mess up your perfect organization. But who can stay mad at such a lovable fluffball? A Little to the Left is available today.
Venba
We got a fresh look at Venba, the narrative cooking game about an Indian woman who immigrates to Canada. While there, she restores lost family recipes by cooking authentic south Indian dishes. It looks like a tasty time, and it's coming in Spring 2023.
Goodbye World
Take a step inside a game development studio with this adventure game following a fledgling pair of indie devs making their own retro-inspired puzzle platformer. This trailer showed off the two layers of the game, including the narrative adventure elements and how the game-inside-a-game comes together on a Game Boy-like device. Goodbye World will release later this month.
Have a Nice Death
The humorously gothic action game Have a Nice Death is coming to Nintendo Switch, and a flashy new trailer showed tons of quick slice-and-dice combat alongside animated clips of our heroic little grim reaper. The game will be available on March 22, 2023, but preorders begin today.
Aka
This chill game from film veterans takes place in a small open world, where a retired red panda warrior seeks to find inner peace on an island. You can build a shelter, feed baby dragons, go on quests, and face the (very literal) ghosts of your past when it launches on December 15.
Pepper Grinder
This Devolver Digital joint features Pepper, a little girl with a big drill, as she burrows her way through pixel platforming stages to collect treasure and defeat enemies. It's coming in 2023.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
Good news, Coffee Talk fans. Another round of the barista narrative adventure game is coming. This trailer showed off some of the new characters you'll encounter, like an opera-singing banshee and an orc game developer. It's coming in spring 2023.
Oni: Road to be the Mightiest Oni
Who hasn't wanted to be an adorable little demon? You're an Oni who was defeated by a Japanese folktale hero, and so you set out to be a better demon. With a massive backpack in tow you encounter giant beasts and fight your way through an open world. You can set out to be the mightiest Oni on March 9, 2023.
Desta: The Memories Between
This character-driven roguelite features a full voice cast, as you delve into your dreams to play a turn-based strategic ball game with the colorful cast of characters. The studio behind Monument Valley brings this surreal sport to life. It's coming in 2023.
A Space for the Unbound
This slice-of-life RPG takes place in rural Indonesia in the 1990s, with a romantic undercurrent mixed with supernatural abilities. Two lovebirds search their town to discover secrets as a looming threat hangs over the world. It's coming January 19, 2023.
Dordogne
Summer can be a magical time for a child, and this painterly game tries to recapture that spirit through the eyes of an adult. You play as Mimi, as both an adult woman going through her grandmother's things and also as her childhood self remembering her time there. It's coming in Spring 2023.
Botany Manor
As a retired botanist with a grand manor to take care of, you care for plants, plant new seeds, solve puzzles and find clues to learn about yourself and your plants. Botany Manor is coming in 2023.
Once Upon a Jester
Once Upon a Jester is an adventure game centered around improvisation, with quirky writing and voice acting. You're a band of thieves attempting to steal a royal diamond, but the whole scheme relies on getting an invitation to join the Royal Theatrical Spectacle. You'll have to bluff your way through challenges against other performing troupes to earn your way into the competition. You won't have to wait long to brush off your acting chops, as it's available right now.
Blanc
We got a new look at this co-op adventure featuring an unlikely friendship between a wolf cub and a fawn. The monochromatic pencil-drawn style delivers a text-free story for players of any age to enjoy. It's coming on February 14, 2023, but preorders begin today.
Everyone loves a montage
It wouldn't be an Indie World presentation without a montage of games. This one included confirmation that Inscryption, the lauded card-based game that released on PC last year, is coming to Switch on December 1.
- WrestleQuest - May 2023
- Wobbledogs Console Edition - November 17
- Storyteller - March 23, 2023
- World of Horror - Summer 2023
- Curse of the Sea Rats - early 2023
- Inscryption - December 1, 2022
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