10 Best Download-Only Games For The Nintendo Switch
Physical releases for games are slowly becoming a niche market as digital-only releases steadily become the norm in the gaming industry. There are pros and cons for both physical and digital-only games, and choosing between the two is subjective, depending on your preference. That said, one cannot deny that a handful of amazing games, specifically from indie game developers, chose to go with a digital-only release.
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One such digital distribution platform that features a treasure trove of download-only games is the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo’s proprietary online shop comes with a bunch of amazing download-only games that you should check out.
10 Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight - A Lovely Pixel Art Homage To Metroidvania Games
Fans of Metroidvania games will have a lot to bite into in Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight by developer Bombservice. While a little rough around the edges, the charming pixel art style and satisfying controls more than make up for its shortcomings.
Be warned, as Momodora can be quite unforgiving at times with its difficulty and is comparable to Soulslike games. The developers did consider the game’s difficulty, as you can opt for an Easy mode, which gives the main character Kaho more HP and higher defense.
9 The Stretchers - A Goofy And Hilarious Co-op Game For The Family
The Stretcher is a casual indie game from Tarsier Studios released to little fanfare in 2019, which is unfortunate considering that the game is a bucket of fun to play. The Stretcher is best described as a callback to classic arcade casual games of the early 2000s with its peculiar humor and simple yet exciting gameplay.
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Delivering similar vibes to games like Overcooked and Moving Out, The Stretcher is a rare gem in the Nintendo eShop. As with the two comparisons, The Stretcher is best played with another player. The game is short, sweet, and easy to pick up and play.
8 Blaster Master Zero - A Reboot of an 8-Bit Classic That Greatly Improves Upon the Original
Blaster Master is a 2D action platformer that was among the more popular series of games for the NES in the late 80s and early 90s. Blaster Master’s fun gameplay has elevated it into a timeless classic. So, it is not surprising that developer Inti Creates decided to update the beloved Sunsoft series for a new generation on the Nintendo Switch in the form of Blaster Master Zero.
Despite the dated and simple gameplay mechanics, Blaster Master Zero thrives by polishing the original while retaining a nostalgic vibe. Blaster Master Zero is a worthwhile trip down memory lane and a good introduction to retro 2D action-adventure platformer for younger players with its accessible difficulty level.
7 The Touryst - A Quirky Puzzle Game With A Focus On Relaxation
One of the Nintendo eShop's unique must-haves, The Touryst places you in the shoes of a, well, tourist who has just arrived in the sprawling and charming voxel art-style Monument Islands. From here on out, it is up to you which activities the game offers you to participate in.
The Touryst is packed with fun puzzles and challenges that will keep you glued to your seat, and its eccentric sense of humor further adds to the game’s overall charm. The lovely minimalistic aesthetic and leisurely pace of The Touryst will provide a nice bookend to a hectic day at the office.
6 Mechstermination Force - A Simple And Exciting Boss Rush Shooter
The run-and-gun platformer has received a resurgence these past couple of years thanks to games such as Cuphead, which breathe new life into the classic genre.
While Cuphead appeals to the hardcore demographic, Mechstermination Force leans towards the more casual player with its straightforward mechanic and simple premise: here’s a gun, there’s a giant evil mech—go scratch that itchy trigger finger.
5 Yoku’s Island Express - An Amusing Genre-Bending Game With A Delightful Flair
Yoku’s Island Express is one of the more unique entries in any gaming library. Swedish developer Villa Gorilla managed to turn a significant handicap into one of their game’s most noteworthy traits. Lacking an animator, Villa Gorilla decided to turn the main character of the game into a dung beetle named Yoku, who transforms into a ball that doesn’t require much animation.
With movement restricted to left and right and jumping carried out by paddles located in various locations on the stage, Villa Gorilla has effectively made the first pinball/Metroidvania game in existence. Yoku’s Island Express is a creative and fun game with a fresh mechanic.
4 Wargroove - An Underrated Multiplayer Turn-Based Strategy Game
Wargroove is developer Chucklefish’s entry into Nintendo’s ever-growing list of top-tier tactical turn-based games. Wargroove is also a worthy candidate for those looking to satiate their thirst for the next Advance Wars or Fire Emblem game.
Wargroove features vibrant visuals, a deep gameplay mechanic, charming characters, and a lighthearted story. It is packed to the brim with content for hours on end of gameplay. While difficulty spikes can stump you at certain points, it never gets too frustrating.
3 Night In The Woods - An Emotional Tour De Force In Videogame Storytelling
At first glance, Night in the Woods appears to be a lighthearted tale featuring an anthropomorphic cast of animals. However, playing through this narrative adventure game by Infinite Fall will reveal a multilayered story with a dense sampling of philosophical quandaries about society as a whole.
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Night in the Woods is certainly another highly recommended digital-only game for the Switch for those looking for an absorbing story. A rollercoaster of emotions awaits those who decide to immerse themselves in Night in the Woods.
2 Cadence of Hyrule - A Fresh and Fun Rhythm-Based Game Set in the Legend of Zelda Universe
Developed by Brace Yourself Games, Cadence of Hyrule is a crossover of the developer’s critically acclaimed Crypt of the NecroDancer game and the Legend of Zelda series. Incorporating the innovative rhythm-based mechanic from their game, Cadence of Hyrule is a fresh take on the beloved Nintendo classic series with a new set of challenges for Zelda veterans to overcome.
With enthralling gameplay that is easy to pick up but hard to master, Cadence of Hyrule is a charming game that both old and new Legend of Zelda fans will enjoy. A demo is also available for download at the Nintendo eShop for those curious about this unique and quirky action-adventure rhythm game.
1 Ori and The Blind Forest - A 2D Metroidvania Indie Darling with Jaw-Dropping Visuals
Developed by Moonlight Studios and released in the Nintendo eShop for Switch in 2019, Ori and The Blind Forest is a clear labor of love from the developers. The game blends crisp controls, smooth animations, and a stunning art style into an award-winning combination that will cement it in the annals of the greatest games of all time.
Not only is Ori a visual feast, but it is also backed by a highly emotional story filled with memorable and fleshed-out characters that you will surely love. The demo is available for download right now at the Nintendo eShop. Check it out and see what you’ve been missing.
NEXT: Lesser Known Digital-Only Nintendo Switch Games
Source: TheGamer
