Despite the chaos that was 2020, it was another fantastic year for Nintendo indie titles. To illustrate the success of its continued support of indie titles, the legendary gaming company recently posted a graphic that rounded up the year’s best indies that made it to the Switch.
Nintendo has shown a commitment to bringing the best indie titles to the Switch, dating back to its first “Nindies Showcase” in February 2017. Nintendo rebranded the program to align with its Japanese “Indie World Showcase” in 2019, but the mission has remained the same. The commitment has proven beneficial to both the company and gamers, as Nintendo has made a majority of the year’s most acclaimed titles available on the Switch.
Highlights of the Switch’s 2020 indie collection include Streets of Rage 4, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, Moving Out, and the surprise launch of Among Us. Nintendo’s December 2020 Indie World presentation concluded with the announcement that InnerSloth’s mega-hit indie title was releasing on the console that very same day.
Though most indie games may not garner the attention AAA titles receive, Nintendo has proven that investing in the genre can be quite lucrative. Nintendo’s Indie World revealed the best-selling Switch indie games of 2020, led by SuperGiant Games’ critically acclaimed Hades. The Game Awards’ “Best Indie” winner and “Game of the Year” contender is only available through Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Also included on the list is Game Rant’s best indie game of 2020, Spiritfarer. Players assume the role of Stella as she helps dying souls pass on through in this management sim, akin to games like Stardew Valley.
The accessibility of indie titles on the Switch makes it a must-have console for gamers who enjoy exploring the genre’s experimental projects without needing a PC. As far as indies are concerned, Nintendo has established itself as a leader among major consoles.