The Nintendo Switch has been wildly popular, but not all of its games have. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down Switch games that deserve more love and recognition.
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00:00Looking around, the demon's eyes found Ceresa.
00:04It let out a low growl.
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for games on the Nintendo Switch
00:12that don't get as much love or recognition as they should.
00:16Do note that we prioritized console exclusives for this list.
00:21That about wraps it up.
00:2310. ARMS
00:35The Switch's first year was a monumental success, and pretty much every first-party game sold well.
00:42This includes ARMS, Nintendo's wacky take on an arena fighter.
00:47Yet, despite strong initial sales, it's a game that is rarely brought up in conversation
00:52and has mostly been forgotten among Nintendo's other first-party releases.
00:57In fact, when one of its characters, Min Min, was announced as a DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,
01:03the general reaction was confusion as to why ARMS was getting representation.
01:08It's a shame most players fell off, and that Nintendo has seemingly not considered following it up with a sequel.
01:15There's a lot of fun to be had, and it's certainly one of the more unique fighting games out there.
01:22Number 9. Princess Peach Showtime
01:38It may seem odd to call anything in the Mario universe underrated,
01:42but Princess Peach Showtime seemed to come and go with a little fanfare.
01:46While it wasn't necessarily a commercial disappointment, it didn't sell as well considering the royalty attached.
01:53It follows Peach as she attempts to rescue a theater full of patrons from a sorceress's forces.
01:59Most of the criticisms concerned its low difficulty.
02:02However, we wouldn't say the target demographic was meant to be that old.
02:06Still, what the game succeeds at is its creativity and style, both of which are whimsical.
02:12Peach takes on different personas and abilities with each genre of play she moves through.
02:17Even if it isn't that hard, it still has a lot of charm.
02:21Number 8. Golf Story
02:26Although many of the best indie games on Switch can be found on other consoles, some are exclusive.
02:40Among those, Golf Story is one of the best.
02:43It follows a man trying to get back into the sport that once made him so happy after his life has gone downhill.
02:50The game blends the structure and stats of an RPG with the gameplay of golf, and it's a mashup that works surprisingly well.
02:58There are several areas to explore new equipment to gain and even golf-adjacent minigames, like disc golf.
03:05You might not expect an indie golf game to have as much depth as this one does.
03:10If you need a fresh take on sports and RPGs alike, Golf Story is one to look into.
03:21Number 7. Ape Out
03:29While PC players can also download this game via Steam, the Switch is the only console you'll find it on.
03:35Ape Out is a top-down beat-em-up in which players control a gorilla, escaping from different maze-like environments for each level.
03:42Blocking your path are gun-toting humans, which can be slammed, thrown, or used as shields against gunfire.
03:49The game is simple, but incredibly addictive.
03:53Each maze is randomized, keeping everything fresh, and the soundtrack is composed of energetic jazz percussion,
04:00which reacts to the chaotic gameplay, making every kill more satisfying.
04:05There are many great indie games on Switch, but Ape Out seems to have been overshadowed by most of them.
04:11Number 6. Disney Illusion Island
04:23Is it normal to see a bookcase in the middle of a jungle?
04:26Well sure, but making a strange twinkling sound?
04:30For a game with Disney's brand attached, and starring some of its most iconic characters no less, Illusion Island didn't go nearly as well as we would have expected.
04:40It follows Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they are brought to the strange Monoth Island, whose inhabitants seek their aid.
04:48The hand-drawn art style is lovely, bringing to mind some of the earlier adventures of the characters.
04:53However, it got mixed reviews, with some calling its gameplay shallow, and does not seem to have sold well.
05:00While it certainly doesn't break any new ground among platformers, that doesn't mean it isn't fun, especially since it allows for up to four players.
05:08As long as you aren't expecting something revolutionary, you'll find plenty of joy here.
05:14You found this a picnic spot?
05:17Not exactly.
05:19Number 5. Game Builder Garage
05:23The tools to create your own games from the minds of Nintendo programmers should have been a smash hit similar to Super Mario Maker.
05:37And yet, Game Builder Garage, while initially embraced, has seen its player base leave it behind.
05:43Admittedly, part of the fault lies with Nintendo.
05:46There is no browser to discover new games.
05:49Instead, it uses a code sharing system, which makes discovering new games harder.
05:54Still, we would think that the intuitive design and wealth of options would have given it more staying power.
06:00While players have come up with their own unique experiences, as well as their own versions of Mario Kart and Sonic, there aren't many still spending time on it.
06:09Number 4. Vitamin Connection
06:18It's going to be okay, dear. Just rest up and I'm sure you'll feel better soon.
06:23The final indie exclusive on our list, Vitamin Connection was built with the Switch in mind.
06:28It follows Vitaboy and Minagirl, who combat various viruses inside human hosts with their Joy-Con shaped ship.
06:36Playing alone is pretty fun, as you use motion controls to move your ship around and blast the pesky germs out of each body.
06:44However, the true joy lies in co-op.
06:47One player moves the ship and fires the beam, while the other rotates the ship and aims the beam.
06:53This gives the game a distinct feeling of chaos, though is never enough to overwhelm or frustrate you.
07:00Regardless of how you play, it's a zany cartoon shoot-em-up with a pretty great soundtrack to boot.
07:06Number 3. Advance Wars 1 and 2 Reboot Camp
07:18Despite its cult following, releasing a remake of two GBA games at full price and 15 years after the last installment was always going to be a tough sell.
07:32But there are a few other reasons for Reboot Camp's inclusion.
07:36First, the delays.
07:38The second of which was a full year due to concerns over releasing a war game during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
07:44Then, there's the game itself.
07:46Strategy isn't exactly the most popular genre, after all.
07:50Still, for fans of the series, or those curious about how it became so beloved in the first place, there's a lot to love here.
07:58It's still a great strategy game, but Nintendo hasn't released any sales numbers, which can't be good.
08:12Number 2. The Smiling Man
08:17Another genre that's far from popular with mainstream audiences is the visual novel.
08:27The Famicom Detective Club series hadn't seen a new entry in 27 years.
08:33And until they were remade in 2021, the originals hadn't been released outside of Japan.
08:39While those remakes, along with a peculiar teaser trailer, did make more players aware of it,
08:45Emio The Smiling Man is still understandably pretty niche.
08:49The plot has you investigating a series of murders tied to an urban legend.
08:53While some found frustration with outdated mechanics, the game delivers a spine-tingling mystery that more than makes up for this.
09:00Everything about its presentation, characters, and narrative are sure to enrapture until the crime is solved.
09:07Morimoto Megumi-san. Takiguchi Kouhei-kun to you say to to
09:12Tokuni Naka ga yokata mitai desu.
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09:28Number 1. Bayonetta Origins, Sereza and the Lost Demon.
09:35Long ago, there existed two clans. The Lumen Sages of Light and the Umbra Witches of Darkness.
09:45Although Nintendo saved it from death, the Bayonetta series has seen diminishing sales numbers since it went exclusive.
09:51Since Sereza and the Lost Demon is a spin-off with different gameplay, controls, and tone,
09:57it seems most of the die-hard fans stayed away from it, leaving it with not much of an audience.
10:03The game bombed in Japan, and there aren't any sales numbers for other regions, which, as we've said, is usually a bad sign.
10:11That's a genuine shame.
10:13The art direction is stunning, pairing well with the fairytale approach.
10:17And the puzzles are engaging.
10:19The control scheme takes some getting used to, controlling Sereza and her demonic companion simultaneously.
10:25But, once you do, there's a wonderful, thrilling adventure waiting for you.
10:36What's an underrated gem you love on the Nintendo Switch?
10:40Share it with us and sing its praises in the comments.