The end of October has come, which means Halloween is right around the corner. It's the spookiest time of year, perfect for playing frightening pranks on friends and watching spine-tingling movies until the midnight hour. For gamers, it also provides an opportunity to dive into many of the most terrifying and unforgettable horror games available. The Nintendo Switch, being a portable console, is the perfect opportunity to do so. Players can plug in headphones, shut off the lights, and become completely absorbed in a game while huddled comfortably on a couch or bed.
Despite Nintendo's family-friendly image, the company has made a considerable effort the past few years to ensure that the Switch has a diverse library of games. While more happy-go-lucky games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons having Halloween events to celebrate the holiday, there is a selection of more properly themed scary experiences to enjoy this time of year. From long-time franchises to indie hits and even some psychological horror sprinkled in for good measure, these are the games that will keep players' pulses pounding.
Resident Evil 4
While the recent Resident Evil 4 VR release offers an entirely new way to experience the game, the original version is still a thrilling horror-action classic. Despite first hitting shelves in 2005, the game hasn't aged a day, featuring satisfying gunplay, a wide variety of locations, and a good pace to the action and narrative. The Switch version of Resident Evil 4 also boasts updated HD visuals, increasing the visual flair and atmosphere of the adventure.
Little Nightmares
Switching things up from relentless action to more puzzle-based platforming, the Little Nightmares series is a spooky, but highly enjoyable experience. Set in a bizarre world with a haunting yet mesmerizing art style, both Little Nightmares and its sequel follow the journeys of protagonists Six and Mono as they try to traverse their creepy surroundings. For those gamers who prefer a more methodical, slow-paced experience that doesn't sacrifice any of the layers of fear, Little Nightmares is more than worth a look.
Layers of Fear
Speaking of layers of fear, the video game of the same name is a truly terrifying first-person adventure. Both Resident Evil 4 and Little Nightmares above have excellent art styles that elevate the horror. In Layers of Fear, however, the art itself is quite literally what supplies the horror in the game. It follows an artist's cerebral descent into madness, with all of his paintings and other work being twisted into abominations, serving as metaphors for the dark recesses within his mind. Toss in some light puzzle-solving to compliment the psychological horror and Layers of Fear is a work of art in the realm of horror.
Bendy and the Ink Machine
To sum it up, Bendy and the Ink Machine is what would happen if the atmosphere and dread of the Bioshock series crossed with an eerie version of the classic Disney cartoon style. The visuals, in particular, lend a lot to what makes this game unsettling, taking the once lovable appearances of classic cartoons and twisting them just enough, that they become pure nightmare fuel. The game is played in first-person and features puzzles and plenty of jump scares to keep players on their toes. It also isn't particularly long, clocking in at a few hours, making for the perfect treat on Halloween night.
Limbo
Another title with a unique art style, Limbo made quite the splash on the gaming scene when it was first released on Xbox Live in 2010. Limbo, along with some other games, was responsible for ushering in a new generation of indie content. The black and white graphics bring a suspenseful atmosphere and a consistent sense of dread. Like other games above, Limbo features some solid platforming and puzzle-solving to pace out its adventure. One final note, for gamers with a serious case of arachnophobia, Limbo may leave a trauma that could last until next Halloween and beyond.
Yomawari: The Long Night Collection
A bundle collecting both Yomawari: Night Alone and Yomawari: Midnight Shadows, is a one-two punch of effectively haunting, and unexpectedly moving horror adventures. The games follow young girls, who after a series of events, become lost alone in the middle of the night. With only a flashlight to guide the way and a sense of cunning, the player must carefully navigate these girls through the darkness, and past the monstrosities ahead. Armed with its spectacular 2D graphics, the Yomawari: The Long Night Collection makes great use of horror elements to rival even the most terrifying entries in the genre.
Amnesia: Collection
The Amnesia series is highly regarding within the horror gaming community for giving the indie side of the scene a big start. Now, with the Amnesia: Collection, all of the fear can be experienced in one place. The games were revolutionary for the innovative sanity meter, which would deplete depending on in-game actions, resulting in further horrors to contend with. The puzzles, level design, and emphasis on psychological horror undoubtedly had an influence on other first-person horror games down the road like P.T. and Resident Evil 7.
Luigi's Mansion 3
When talking about Halloween games and the Nintendo Switch, it's a no-brainer to mention one of the console's top-rated exclusives. Luigi's Mansion 3 is the latest in the fan-favorite franchise and has upped the ante in more ways than one. Robust multiplayer modes, a lengthy single-player adventure, and stunning graphics make it a complete package for both young and older gamers alike. For any who found the above options a bit too on the spooky side and want a title that retains a certain sense of carefree fun, Luigi's Mansion 3 is a perfect choice.