Best Short Games on Nintendo Switch
Let’s start with our short list of the best Switch games — in no particular order — with a sweet snack…
What Remains of Edith Finch is a ‘Walking Simulator’ that not only tells an unforgettable story – but is truly unforgettable. Although the story is tragic, it is always entertaining. When one part ends and you are fighting back tears, you will always continue, because the next story is just as compelling as the last. If you want a long, engrossing story that doesn’t waste a minute, Edith Finch is the story for you.
With tight controls, a classic minimalist art style, and a great sense of progression, Cat Robot is the perfect Metroidvania to play while you’re waiting actually Metroid or suitable Castle game. It’s just that its difficulty is a little bit too much to ask at times – anyone with a little experience will probably get through it in no time, and its quality is such that you’ll probably wish it lasted a little longer. Still, it’s packed with meaningful upgrades, secrets, and epic boss battles to keep you happily occupied for a few hours.
Years later, the cultural and developmental impact is undeniable. Already home has been in the gaming industry. It is both a near-perfect exercise in interactive storytelling and an example of how to handle complex and very real ideas in a game, just Life is strange has come close to reaching its significance. While there isn’t much ‘gameplay’ to be found here, the story you discover through exploring an empty house will stay with you long after you put the Switch down. Essential.
We struggle to recall a cheerful dystopian world like the one found in Pikuniku. It’s a short game, but packed with heart and imagination, with a great single-player component and a great couch co-op mode that anyone can really enjoy. It reminds us of the joy of cutting pieces out of our friends in Cutting clampBut while we sometimes run into obstacles with that game, Pikuniku avoids frustration in favor of a light and charming adventure; a perfect relief if you need a break from a long gaming session, but don’t dive in expecting to play for hours on end.
fire watch is just as captivating and charming on Switch as it was the first time. From the warm glow of the forest in the morning summer light to the subtle tension of exploring a rocky canyon in the isolated silence of night, Shoshone National Forest is a character in its own right. With a story that’s both funny and heartbreaking – and enhanced by some great performances from its two leads – this is a must-have, whether you’re playing for the first time on Switch or just using it as an excuse to revisit an old favorite.
Donut County is perfect if you’re looking for a short, relaxing, and fun puzzle game. It’s a fun experience that has enough appeal to justify its existence, and while some may find the relatively high price tag a tough pill to swallow for three hours maximum Content-wise, this is a fun little game that you can enjoy in one sitting. Short and sweet, that’s it.
We are very careful when using this word, but Gris To be A masterpiece. The shocking visual style and heartbreaking soundtrack combine to create one of the most emotionally charged interactive pieces of art you’ll ever play. It may be too short for some, the puzzles may be a little simplistic, and the lack of any real challenge may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s a game that focuses more on vulnerability than skill, and as long as you’re willing to go along for the ride, it’s a game that will stick with you for a very long time.
Goodbye wild heart is the video game version of Prince: it is extremely short and its journey may end a little sooner than you expect, but it packs so many diverse and beautiful ideas into its short life and masters so many different styles, although there is a real disappointment that it ends so quickly, what it gives you will stay with you for a very long time. A true creative masterpiece.
Abzu It’s certainly a standout release on the eShop, offering an experience that breaks away from the norm of objective-based gameplay in favour of something more focused on simply existing in a world and enjoying all its little intricacies. Those of you who appreciate casual adventures like strolling through the woods will certainly enjoy what Abzû has to offer, as the dreamlike visuals, charming orchestral score, and deliberately slow pace do a great job of drawing players into this alien world. We’d recommend Abzû to anyone looking for something a little more light-hearted for their Switch; this isn’t a game about winning, but rather about the journey (no pun intended) you take to get there.
Inside is the spiritual successor of Limbo (well worth checking out if you like creepy 2D experiences), and it builds on its predecessor in every way imaginable. A darkly beautiful puzzle-platformer that’s short but packed with shocking twists, its dark tone won’t be for everyone, but it’s executed brilliantly, with light-hearted physics puzzles woven into a haunting, wordless story. It’s a very similar game to its predecessor in many ways, with side-scrolling elements, a gorgeous, dark art style, and a vulnerable protagonist at its heart. It’s just bigger, better, and more affecting.
Extremely stylish and has an irresistible sense of powerful motion, Kamiko is the first Switch release and a real gem. It’s a quick trip, sure, but the gorgeous pixel art, rich soundtrack, and three very different characters with plenty of speedrunning potential make it well worth returning to. A uniquely engaging, action-packed package, this is an easy recommendation for any Switch owner.
Super hot offers a first-person shooter experience unlike any other, and while the main campaign is a little short – a plus in this case – once you’ve finished it, you’ll have dozens of new ways to play it again if you want. In a genre that can sometimes get a little stale, Superhot feels like the most innovative shooter we’ve played in years.
Relaxing but also tiring, The Gardens Between offers a profound combination of charming visuals, a relaxing soundtrack, and a sweet story. The simplicity of its controls hides a clever and terrifyingly complex puzzle formula that lets you rewind and replay time like an omnipresent director. Its unique setup makes it one of the most unusual puzzlers on the Nintendo Switch.
