Indie games have carved out a unique and beloved space in the gaming world, offering creativity, innovation, and heartfelt storytelling. In 2024, the Nintendo Switch continues to be a fantastic platform for indie developers to showcase their talents. Here’s a look at some of the best indie games of 2024 that you won’t want to miss!
1. A Little to the Left
“A Little to the Left” is a cozy puzzle game that combines organization and creativity. Players are tasked with sorting and arranging various household items, from kitchen utensils to stationery. The calming gameplay is paired with charming visuals and soothing music, making it a perfect escape from the chaos of everyday life (you know while also doing chores :-)) Its gentle challenges are ideal for players looking to unwind while engaging their minds. The visuals are amazing and the cat coming in to mess things up every once in a while is a super cute addition. Created by a two person team from K’jipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia A Little to the Left takes its inspiration from items and clutter in the developers everyday lives. This is a really cool game that is definitely worth a look. As of this writing A Little to the Left is only available on Steam but is set to be released October 18, 2024 on Switch.
2. A Space for the Unbound
“A Space for the Unbound” is a breathtaking narrative-driven adventure that explores themes of love, anxiety, and self-discovery. Set in rural Indonesia in the late 1990s, players follow the journey of Atma and Raya as they navigate personal and societal challenges. The artwork is stunning in this game, and the emotionally resonant storytelling makes it a must-play for anyone who appreciates a strong narrative.
3. Balatro
Balatro is the poker roguelike taking over the world at the moment. Developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, it blends the mechanics of poker with roguelike elements, offering a unique and addictive gameplay experience. Players navigate through procedurally generated levels using cards to defeat enemies and overcome challenges. As with many indie games it has been out for a while on steam but is now coming to the Switch.
4. Venba
“Venba” is a narrative cooking game that celebrates South Indian culture and cuisine. Players guide a Tamil family as they migrate to Canada, using cooking as a way to preserve their heritage. The visuals in this game are amazing and pair that with a compelling storyline and you have a winner, “Venba” offers a fresh take on the cooking genre, blending gameplay with cultural storytelling in a way that feels both personal and relatable. Interestingly the game focuses on the parents which was a deliberate choice by the developers as they felt that the parents had “a cooler story to tell, because they up and leave their country at the age of 40 or 50, and they move to a brand new place.” Eurogamer did a really interesting piece on this game that is definitely worth checking out.
Hope you get to check some of these games out! And we will come back and update some more as the year continues!