The best Nintendo Switch puzzle platformers
The switch has one lots of platformersand a Lots of puzzle games, and that extends to puzzle games. If you’re raising your eyebrows and saying, “What are you talking about, you can’t combine these as if they were ice cream flavors,” then stick with us. That’s one thing, we promise.
Instead of games that focus entirely on running and jumping accurately or just using your mind to find clever solutions, these games combine the two to create quite a fascinating effect. . Often you will pause at some point to chart a path forward, combining skill with wisdom. Puzzle game players also often have a strong approach to storytelling, making them a relatively impactful experience when at their best.
Below you’ll find our picks of the puzzle-platform games currently available on Switch. This selection is presented in no particular order and will continue to grow and develop over time. We will also continue to check for suggestions from readers in the comments section and from our team, as quality games in this genre appear regularly.
Bigger and more full-featured than ever, BABY BOX! + BOX GIRL! marks the pinnacle of this quirky puzzle platformer series. It’s not perfect – the stripped-down aesthetics and indifferent physics won’t be to everyone’s taste – but fans of co-op puzzle games, in particular, should investigate immediately. The ‘Tale for Two’ campaign puts a second player in control of Qucy, and you must work together to create chains of boxes and navigate through each 2D level to escape. It’s still an exceptional puzzler and is layered very well trilogy on 3DSbut the fact that you can now bring a friend along to join the fun makes this the ultimate BOBOY.
A beautiful little game, Captain Toad: Treasure Hunt be a winner whether you’re after puzzle platforming or buttonless jumping. With beautiful visuals and a vibrant soundtrack, it’s truly a gem; an amazing and gorgeous 3D platform puzzle game suitable for all ages and one that you should definitely experience if you haven’t already. The two-player co-op feature that Nintendo added makes this product even more appealing when Toadette joins Captain, and even a little fun part of the DLC once you have completed the main game.
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Another puzzle platformer with no real jumping, But You solve environmental puzzles to progress. Toki Tori 2+ is a game that was slightly overhauled after the original Wii U version (hence the ‘+’ sign) to help players understand its surprisingly large world. This is an intriguing twist on the IP’s puzzle style. Original of course Toki Tori also available on the Switch eShop, if you want a more conventional single-screen challenge.
Inside is the spiritual successor limbo and it builds on its predecessor in every way imaginable. An incredibly beautiful platform puzzle game that, while brief, is filled with surprising highlights, its dark tone won’t be for everyone, but it’s brilliantly done , with gentle physics-based conundrums woven into a haunting wordless story. It’s a game very similar to its predecessor in many ways, with side-scrolling elements, a gorgeous, moody art style, and at its heart a vulnerable protagonist. Everything just gets bigger, better and more influential.
We are very careful when using this word, but Gris To be a masterpiece. The incredible visual style and heart-pounding score combine to create one of the most emotional interactive works of art you’ll ever play. It may be too short for some, its puzzles may be simple, and its lack of any real challenge may not be to everyone’s taste, but this is a solid game. focusing more on vulnerability than possibility and as long as you’re willing to take it with you, it’s truly a trip that will stick with you for a very long time.
Another game you technically doesn’t jump, but flipping gravity does essentially the same thing. VVVVVV still feels as fresh on Switch as it did on 3DS in 2010; If you haven’t tried it yet then you should definitely pick it up now. If you did then now might be a good time to review. Multiplayer makes the Switch version even more fun, and it’s a game that still offers a thrilling and fun challenge.
Evergate is a wonderfully designed puzzle/platformer that starts strong and grows stronger throughout the campaign. Each new world you encounter here adds a new twist to the proceedings, gradually becoming more complex as it stacks mechanics on top of each other, allowing you to experiment and devise ways your own unique way to pass its complex levels. To us, the speedrunning here felt like it was tacked on for no real reason, but aside from this one small misstep, this is truly a must-have for fans of the game. puzzle/platformer and an outstanding example of its genre on the Switch.
Horace is something very special – combining challenging stages with emotional storytelling. If you’re interested in great level design, a complex and complex mix of tight platforming and puzzle solving, excellent storytelling, great art, evocative music, great characters, funny situations and emotional punches, Horace is a no-brainer. It’s moving without being manipulative, smart without being complacent and nostalgic without being rehearsed and lazy. It’s also extremely challenging if you like challenges.
The entire series is available on Switch, so this entry will ultimately represent them all. With the exception of the third edition, they’re all essentially 2D puzzle platformers, with combat thrown in as you embark on fantasy adventures with our three heroes. Some rooms (especially in the first two games) can take a while to puzzle out, and mastering each character’s abilities is integral to progression.
And if you like this, Trine 5‘What a good shout.
This is a game that has endured incredibly well, even just counting this final and updated HD version. A boy and his blob was once a genre-defining element, that status is gone but this is still a very enjoyable puzzle/platformer experience in which you must take full advantage of the Blob’s various abilities to improvement. It’s also quite adorable in the Switch iteration.
FEZ is a fun, challenging puzzle platformer that’s bursting with original ideas and unique gameplay. Its puzzles bend reality and sometimes even enter our world, but aside from a few select big challenges, it remains fair. From the previous era of ‘Indie’ games and one that has made its mark on the industry, it’s well worth a visit on Switch.
Clarification two Already a great little game, filled with heartfelt moments with deep storytelling and challenging platforming puzzles, it then found a fitting new home on the Nintendo Switch. Even with a slight visual downgrade, Unravel Two still doesn’t offer an inferior experience when playing on Nintendo’s hybrid system. Full of charm and personality, this is one of the best cooperative platformers you can play anywhere, and another strong Switch port is well worth the wait.