Top 10 Overlooked Nintendo Switch Games of 2023

The Nintendo Switch has no shortage of awesome games. And to their credit, many developers and publishers out there are continuously supporting this console, even though it is famously underpowered when compared to its competition. The year 2023 was especially good for both Nintendo and their unique hybrid console. They released a bunch of new first-party triple-A titles, and all of them ended up being massive successes.

But these kinds of massive launches have one side effect. People often end up overlooking some great yet small games. A similar thing happened in 2023, too. Many Nintendo Switch games went unnoticed. It is about time someone shines some light on those titles.

Top 10 Overlooked Nintendo Switch Games

1. Venba

Gamers might have seen games that featured cooking. Gamers might have also seen games with a hint of emotional narrative. But games seldom combine these two mechanics. Visai Games decided to add these two elements to their narrative-heavy cooking game Venba.

The game follows a mother and son as they dig through their family’s history in order to restore a bunch of lost recipes. It’s a heartfelt game and a must-play for anyone who loves feel-good stories.

1. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp

Years ago, Nintendo looked at other companies releasing those fancy turn-based strategy games, and they decided to do something similar. But Nintendo being the kind of company it is, they decided to add a funky theme to these games. That’s how Advance Wars was born. These games were released on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS consoles.

Years later, Nintendo remade the first two games in that series for the Nintendo Switch. But they hardly got the popularity they deserved.

1. The Pathless

Years after releasing their excellent meditative experience, Abzu, Giant Squid announced The Pathless. The game launched on most platforms in 2020. But its Nintendo Switch port launched in early 2023. The game is as beautiful as Abzu was, maybe more so.

It features a master archer out to lift a curse on her island. She uses her trusty bow and arrow to complete this task. She has some very quick movement mechanics and an eagle that carries her sometimes. It’s a very fast-paced action adventure that is backed by some soothing music.

1. Fae Farm

With games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizon available, does the world really need more farming games? Well, if they introduce something new and worthwhile to this formula, then yes, it does. Fae Farm introduces a bunch of small new things to the formula that made Stardew Valley so popular. Players can now run and jump, and the game has a straightforward story to follow, which also acts as a tutorial.

Everything is faster and more fun. One can even say that the most annoying aspects of Stardew Valley have been fixed at Fae Farm. It’s totally worth trying.

1. Blasphemous 2

The influence of Dark Souls games can be seen everywhere. Even the smallest of indie developers try to recreate that magic with their 2D games. Many of them succeeded too; one such developer is The Game Kitchen. They developed Blasphemous, a gore-filled 2D adventure with an incredibly disturbing tale.

Its sequel is very similar; it excellently expands the lore of the first game and adds a bunch of new mechanics to its core gameplay loop. Players can now equip rosary beads to get additional power bonuses, and they can also dual-wield weapons. I have no idea why this game got overlooked, though.

1. Dredge

Someone at Black Salt Games might be reading H.P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu while they went fishing with some pals. That’s the only explanation for this game’s existence. A game that starts as a peaceful fishing experience quickly turns into a creepy Lovecraftian tale of horror.

Dredge was released to critical acclaim, but it never got the success it deserved on the Nintendo Switch.

1. Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society

Yes, old-school turn-based role-playing games are back. But that does not mean that every game of that kind would get equal attention. While games like Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default saw great success, games like Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society went unnoticed.

It’s a game for those who miss those days of dungeon-crawler RPGs. With unique monster designs and a curiously interesting UI, this game has every ingredient that makes a good old-school-inspired RPG.

1. Coffee Talk 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly

Visual novels are a niche genre, yet they have a dedicated enough fanbase that makes sure these games always end up being big enough successes. Coffee Talk was one such game; it was a visual novel with an interesting premise to back its beautiful art design. And that’s why it was a success; its sequel was largely overlooked.

If you ever wondered what it feels like to be a part of a game in a cozy settin, how it is to be the center of a highly focused interactive narrative, this game would no doubt be something to take a look at.

1. Charrua Soccer

Tired of those sports simulation games that take themselves too seriously? Charrua Soccer is the game for you. One of the few games out there that adds an arcade feel to a soccer game. Easy to get into, hard to master, and hard to put down. This easy-going soccer game features both cooperative and competitive play for up to eight players.

It’s a shame it did not get enough traction when it was launched back in 2023.

1. World of Horror

For horror fans who love narrative-driven, choice-based titles, World of Horror is a dream come true. It is a unique title that fuses visual novels with rogue-lite mechanics. Over there, there’s a healthy portion of Japanese horror.

It goes without saying that it’s not for the faint-hearted. Go into it knowing that you will be reading a lot, and it is considered by many to be one of the creepiest games ever made.

Nintendo Rumor: A Classic Legend of Zelda Remake Is Arriving in 2024!

Now no one is expecting these games to sell millions of copies in the mere three days of their launch, like Nintendo’s first party offerings. But at least show them some love; they deserve that much.

WATCH THIS STORY: Ranking The Highest-Selling Nintendo Games of All Time