While Nintendo has had some bigger first-party releases this year likeAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsandHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, it hasn’t turned its eye on indie games coming to theSwitch. With the end of the year in sight, Nintendo has given us a peek at what to expect from its indie game lineup heading into 2021, including a mix of indie game favorites alongside some new reveals and surprises.
As revealed earlier in the week, Nintendo officially aired its latest (and likely final)Indie World Showcase for 2020, giving us a closer look at the indie titles making their way to Nintendo Switch in the coming months of 2021. Over the course of the 15-minute Showcase we ended up getting a glimpse of nearly 20 indie games heading to Switch (and elsewhere), and below you’ll find all of the games showcased at the latest Indie World Showcase.
Spelunky and Spelunky 2
The first announcement from Nintendo at the Indie World Showcase as easily one of the most welcome, with the reveal that bothSpelunkyand its recently-released sequelSpelunky 2will be coming to the Switchin summer 2021. The hit roguelike platformers from developer Derek Yu are arguably a match made in heaven to play on-the-go, so Switch owners will only have a bit longer to wait when they debut later next year.
Fisti-Fluffs
Cat puns and combat meet adorable felines inFisti-Fluffs, an adorable cat fighting game that was showcased during today’s Indie World. Cuddly, charming, and unbearably chaotic,Fisti-Fluffswill be clawing its way to Nintendo Switch in early 2021.
Very Very Valet
In the vein of games likeMoving OutandOvercooked!, the upcomingVery Very Valetseems to be next in line for potential party games to play with your friends. As the name implies, the chaotic indie game puts you in charge of a valet driver trying to bring cars back to their drivers. Hilarity ensues. As seen in the trailer,Very Very Valetwill be out for Nintendo Switch in early 2021.
Thanks to its hand-drawn art and animation,Tunchefrom the Peruvian LEAP Game Studios stood out as one of the most distinctive indies showcased at Nintendo’s presentation. The side-scrolling brawler will release for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC in March 2021, and will also feature a cameo appearance by Hat Kid fromA Hat in Time.
Cyber Shadow
Developed by Mechanical Head Games and published byShovel Knight’s Yacht Club Games,Cyber Shadowlooks to be one of the most promising indie releases on the horizon, and we only have a few more weeks to wait for it. During the Indie World Showcase, it was revealed thatthe game will be coming to consoles and PC on August 04, 2025, and will also include a Switch-exclusive feature to import your favoriteShovel Knightcharacters using their official amiibo figures.
Fisti-Fluffswasn’t the only cat-themed game to grace the latest Indie World, as developer Whitethorn Games showcasedCalico, its management sim all about running a cat cafe. The cozy cat-friendly game is out now on Nintendo Switch and was launched today during the showcase.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
From the studio behindMonument Valley, developer Ustwo Games shared a new look at their next project titledAlba: A Wildlife Adventure. Set in the midst of a lush tropical island, the game has players taking on the role of Alba as she tries to preserve and nurture the wildlife on her idyllic home, and will be coming to Nintendo Switch in spring 2021.
For lovers of visual novels or story-driven games (especiallyDisco Elysium),Gnosiais on its way to releasethrough an English localization by Playism. Partly inspired byWerewolf, the game follows a group of explorers on a space station as they’re eliminated one-by-one by the titular Gnosia, an eerie lifeform taking their appearances and taking them out.Gnosiawill release for Nintendo Switch in early 2021.
Happy Game
Despite what its title might imply,Happy Gameis meant to fill you with a bit of uneasiness and dread. Developed by Amanita Design, the puzzle platformer has players in the role of a boy experiencing a series of bizarre nightmares set to the music of the band DVA.Happy Gamewill be out for Nintendo Switch and PC in spring 2021.
Super Meat Boy Forever
Coming on the heels of the original’s tenth anniversary,Super Meat Boy Foreverhas been a long time coming. The long-awaited follow-up has been in development for several years and was initially expected to arrive last year. Despite some development setbacks, we won’t have too much longer to wait as it was confirmed that the meat-quel will be a console launch exclusive for Nintendo Switchwith its debut on July 30, 2025.
