From way back when we used to tell scary stories around the campfire, humanity has always been obsessed with the things that go bump in the night, and our never-ending interest in the best horror games is a great testament to that fact. There's something so enticing about the strange and unusual, and nothing can get your blood pumping quite like a well-timed jumpscare.
However, it can also be a pretty tough genre to pin down, and sometimes it's a challenge to find the right spook to get your spine tingling. Luckily, our guide to the best and most scary horror games to play on the go is overflowing with frights, from spooky survival horror to petrifying puzzles. But be warned, you might have to sleep with the lights on after playing some of these.
The best horror games on handhelds are:
1. Luigi's Mansion 3
As an appetizer to the true terrors further down the list, we have to include the modern classic that is Luigi's Mansion 3. In this frightfully fun 2019 entry in the iconic Luigi's Mansion series, you get to take Luigi on a (not so) relaxing getaway to Last Resort, and embark on a ghostly, gooey quest to save Mario from the clutches of a haunted hotel. Basically, think Ghostbusters crossed with Scooby Doo featuring Mario characters, and you're pretty much there.
The combat is fun, the puzzles are simple, and the vibes are on point. I particularly love the fact that you can team up in co-op, with one player taking control of Luigi and the other playing as an ooey-gooey slime Luigi. The team here at Pocket Tactics loves playing this with our partners or pals, and it would be a treat for any parents with curious kids who have a passion for spooky settings.
Don't just take our word for it, either - Luigi's Mansion 3 won the award for the Best Family Game at the 2019 Game Awards, and Nintendo announced that it had sold 14.5 million copies worldwide by 2024, making it one of the best-selling Switch games of all time. With heaps of creepy capers and madcap fun, this spin-off Mario game is an accessible spookfest for the whole family, no matter how much of a scaredy cat you are.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch
2. Resident Evil 4 Remake
The original Resident Evil 4 is a true classic, so I was utterly delighted to see Capcom's 2023 remake breathe new life into it so expertly. Following on from the biological disaster in Raccoon City that takes place in Resident Evil 2, our beloved Leon Kennedy tracks the president's kidnapped daughter to a secluded European village, quickly learning that the horrors are far from over.
I can't tell you how many hours I've put into the remake since its release, and I go back to it every couple of months. It's just that good. It handles the blend of action and survival horror artfully, ensuring that even when you have an arsenal of weapons at your disposal, there's still tension in the air. It also offers a heap of intriguing lore for those of you who care to look for it, while still offering a great experience if you want to solely focus on butt-busting badassery. And, as much as Ashley can be pretty annoying at times, ensuring her safety adds an extra layer of challenge throughout certain sections of the game.
Oh, and don't worry if you're entirely new to the series - you don't need to play Resident Evil 2 (or the equally brilliant Resident Evil 2 remake) to pick up the story here, as it works perfectly well as a self-contained experience. However, if you're intrigued by the world, you'll be glad to know that most of the Resident Evil games, including the more recent remakes, are fully Steam Deck verified and run like a dream on many Windows handhelds. We also have confirmation that Biohazard, Village, and the highly anticipated upcoming Requiem will be arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 in February 2026, so it's a great time to dive in.
Check prices: Steam Deck and Windows handhelds
3. Detention
Initially released in January of 2017, Detention is a beautifully haunting, side-scrolling horror game with deep roots in Taiwanese-Chinese folklore and myth, along with the oppressive horror of the White Terror and martial law. Despite starting with humble beginnings built on a Steam Greenlight demo, it has since gone on to spark a novel adaptation, a movie, and even a fantastic Netflix series that aired on December 5, 2020.
Detention is set in 1960s Taiwan, and focuses on two students called Wei and Ray, who find themselves trapped in their high school. Located in a remote, isolated area, they soon notice that this isn't the academic institution they remember. The building and surrounding area begin to shift in unsettling ways, and the halls come alive with evil creatures known as the 'lingered'.
As you traverse the high school rendered in gorgeous yet macabre 2D, you find yourself immersed in a world of hostile supernatural events, and consumed by a deep fear of the monsters within us all. Do keep in mind that this fantastic indie game does touch on some heavy subjects and may cut close to the bone for some, but if you think you can handle it, I highly recommend you give it a try.
Check prices: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
4. FNAF: Into the Pit
Starting with the 2014 point-and-click survival horror game, FNAF has become one of the most iconic and influential horror franchises in recent history, and one of our favorite entries in the series has to be Into the Pit. Based on the book of the same name, this side-scrolling, 2D, horror adventure game sees you take control of a child called Oswald who explores the ball pit in a rundown pizzeria and soon finds himself stuck in the horrors of the past.
From here, you must survive five nights of terror, traveling between time periods and gathering clues as the threatening Spring Bonnie relentlessly pursues you. In her 9/10 FNAF: Into the Pit review, deputy editor Kayleigh Partleton describes it as "the best FNAF game [she's] played", stating that the series "has never been so terrifying".
Of course, any of the FNAF games could easily take a place on this list, and we highly recommend checking them all out if you haven't already. But if you're looking for a unique experience that allows you to break away from the security desk and into a truly terrifying, lore-filled tale, we urge you to take a dive into the pit.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
5. The Mortuary Assistant
The Mortuary Assistant is a wonderfully weird mix of adventure, simulation, and horror game, in which you play as - you guessed it - a mortuary assistant. You need a strong stomach for this one, because not only will you be walking through the entire process of inspecting and embalming a corpse, but you'll also be dealing with a supernatural threat, too.
It turns out that this morgue is a hotspot for the demonic, and it's up to you to work out which corpse is possessed and what the demon's name is before the night is through, unless you fancy joining them in the underworld. Along the way you have to deal with a lot of unsettling apparitions, nerve-jangling jumpscares, and hints of the traumatic past our protagonist has been through, all while getting the job done. Talk about a professional, this gal deserves employee of the month.
This horror-infused simulation game is, in some ways, quite short. However, you can continue to take on more shifts after the first, and, due to the randomized nature of the 'haunt events', it's rare that any two nights will be alike. There are also a variety of endings for you to explore if you fancy piecing together all the different elements of the game's twisted world.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
6. World of Horror
Released in 2023, World of Horror is a striking horror game inspired by the works of Junji Ito and HP Lovecraft. It combines elements of roguelite, RPG, text-based adventure, and visual novel, and sees you take control of one of several different protagonists as you explore a variety of spine-chilling stories, fight otherworldly monsters, and attempt to survive the wrath of the old gods.
Each short playthrough starts with the summoning of one of these old gods, which has a significant impact on your run. After this, the game tasks you with investigating five randomly selected mysteries, covering everything from rotten ramen to freaky found footage. In my 9/10 World of Horror review, I state that its "gorgeous retro vibes, twisted tales, and RNG-fueled gameplay loops" make it a "morbidly moreish experience that's hard to put down."
There are heaps of secrets to uncover and new features to unlock, as well as plenty of customization options to keep things fresh, meaning it offers hours and hours of replayability, which is quite impressive for such a small indie horror game. The storytelling is sublime, the vibes are on point, and it truly reads as a love letter to Ito's iconic stories.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
7. Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation is a 2014 survival horror game set 15 years after the original 1979 film. You find yourself in the shoes of Ripley's daughter, Amanda, who is trapped on a desolate spacecraft. In order to survive, you must explore the space station and complete mission objectives, all while avoiding, outsmarting, and even defeating your foes.
While there are plenty of hostile human survivors and androids in your way, the real antagonist is, of course, the titular alien (otherwise known as 'The Creature'). This fearsome foe is undefeatable and uses groundbreaking AI that allows it to hunt you based on sight, sound, and your previous actions. In our 8/10 Alien Isolation mobile review, deputy editor Kayleigh Partleton commends its "thick atmosphere", stating that "there's a constant sense of dread, and the fact that you can't always fight back - especially against the xenomorph - has your heart pumping."
Alien: Isolation has been at the top of many horror fans' lists for years now, and it's easy to see why. With its claustrophobic, isolating atmosphere, hostile environment, and ever-present threats, it's everything we could have hoped for in a game based on the iconic Alien series, and we're incredibly eager to hear more news of the long-awaited Alien Isolation 2.
Check prices: Android, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
8. Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness
Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness is a striking survival horror game painted in beautifully simplistic pixel graphics. Set in 1920s America, it follows the story of troubled man and former circus clown Oliver Mills as he reunites with the rest of the Vlad Circus crew eight years after the tragic fire that tore them apart.
What follows is a unique and twisted experience full of mysteries and secrets to uncover, heaps of puzzles to solve, horrific hallucinations for you to battle, and a truly tragic tale sure to shake you to your core. In my 9/10 Vlad Circus review, I describe it as "a deeply atmospheric survival horror game with a twisting tale, tragic characters, and deeply hostile yet claustrophobic world that sucks you right in from the beginning".
The gameplay loop is simple but enjoyable, and makes for a very effective blend of puzzle game and survival horror. However, its wonderful storytelling and deeply atmospheric mood are where it really shines, and its spine-tingling spooks are sure to stay with you for a long time.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
9. Paranormasight
Paranormasight is a visual novel that pulls you into an intricately woven web of tales surrounding a group of characters who find themselves in the grip of deadly curses. Uncover the Seven Mysteries of Honjo and dive deeper into the horrors of the world around you as you explore the dreams, fears, and motivations of these compelling characters, all set against a beautifully crafted backdrop of late 20th-century Japan.
In my Paranormasight review, I call it a "masterpiece" and the "gold standard of supernaturally suspenseful visual novels". On a personal note, I even slapped my first ever 10/10 on this bad boy - it genuinely made that much of an impression on me, and I still find myself returning to it for another playthrough regularly.
Of course, as a visual novel game, the main thing you'll be doing here is reading, but it also features point-and-click elements, adding extra depth to the experience as you scan each location for any hidden details. Unfortunately, the game doesn't come with proper voice acting, but, for its surprisingly low price, you get a whole lot of lore, horror, and attention to detail, and, in my opinion, it's worth every cent.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
10. Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
While its gameplay is a simple combination of visual novel and point and click, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark has a cult following - due in no small part to its gripping story and spine-tingling artwork. You play as a man called Yashiki who finds himself wandering around with no memories and a mysterious bite mark-like scar on his arm. Arriving in a mansion with other people who sport the same scar, the group discovers that they're all cursed by spirits, and, as long as they have the mark on their body, their days are numbered.
You then embark on a nerve-jangling journey, facing off against spirits and putting them to rest to save yourself and the other mark bearers. Each ghost has a dark and tragic past, which you must unwind and resolve if you hope to see another day. Like Paranormasight, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark does lack voice acting, but the spooky sounds and music do a lot of heavy lifting.
If you do enjoy Spirit Hunter: Death Mark and want to know more about Yashiki and the Mark Bearers' battle with the supernatural, you'll be glad to know that Death Mark II is now on Switch and Steam Deck. In my 9/10 Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II review, I call it "a brilliant continuation of an already outstanding series, and a real masterclass in supernatural storytelling."
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
11. Madison
A chilling psychological horror with a suffocating atmosphere, disorientating puzzles, and an intriguing narrative, Madison is an absolutely frightful delight laced with an overbearing sense of dread. You take control of a young man called Luca, slowly creeping around an eerie, decaying house. Armed with nothing but a Polaroid camera, you must piece together a horrific tale of murder, demons, and possession, and work out how it all ties back to you.
In my 9/10 Madison review, I describe it as an "all-out spooky vibe fest", commending the way that "the slow, dread-filled crawl towards answers pushes and pulls you in different directions as you gain scraps of exposition from random notepads, graffiti, police radios, cassette tapes, and a bunch of other seemingly innocuous items."
With a palpable sense of tension, painful pacing, and a truly morbid mystery beneath the surface, Madison is one of those brilliant PT-inspired horror games that I just can't get enough of. While its gameplay could be summed up as a walking sim or point and click game with more steps, the puzzles and narrative elevate it to a new level, and its use of some surprisingly effective jumpscares makes for a truly enjoyable yet spooky experience.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
12. Poppy Playtime
An episodic survival horror game bursting with puzzles, possessed toys, and freaky fun, Poppy Playtime has become another cult classic, going toe-to-toe with the likes of FNAF. You take the role of a former Funtime Co. employee, returning to the now-abandoned factory where you used to work. Once inside, you face a multitude of monsters, painstaking puzzles, and morbid mysteries, seeking to uncover the truth behind Funtime Co. and the haunting horrors that lie within.
Each chapter sees you delve deeper into the factory, edging ever-closer to the horrific truth behind this seemingly innocent toy company, and constantly facing new and even more fearsome foes with every step you take. In my 8/10 Poppy Playtime Chapter 3 review, I state that Poppy Playtime's "unique art style, engaging gameplay, intriguing concept and setting, and more lore than you could ever hope for" has "truly earned it a place in the horror hall of fame".
While the puzzles are great, the true stars of the show are always the Poppy Playtime characters. In fact, I find the most exciting part about clocking in for each fresh chapter is seeing what new creations you'll be meeting and uncovering their tragic tales and origin stories. Admittedly, the performance can be a little buggy at times, and some chapters are definitely better than others, but we still can't help but eagerly anticipate our next opportunity to return to the frightening factory.
Check prices: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows handhelds
13. Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a truly unique co-op horror game that launched into early access back in September 2020. Now, over five years later, it's built up a massive following, spawned countless copycats, and has scared the daylights out of aspiring paranormal investigators all around the world.
Teaming up with up to four other players, it sees you head off to a haunted location, using a range of ghost hunting tools to investigate and identify the entity. As you and your teammates uncover more evidence, you can use your journal to narrow down the possible suspects, observing their behaviors and reactions as you go along. However, each ghost has its own trigger, and if you manage to irritate it, it will go into a hunt, during which it will relentlessly pursue and eliminate any intruders.
With a wide range of paranormal equipment, a bunch of different ghost types based on creatures and entities from various cultures and religions, and a variety of maps of different sizes and difficulties, Phasmophobia is a tricky treat for any fans of the supernatural. But, of course, the real pull is that this is one of the best co-op games to enjoy with your fright-loving friends, offering heaps of hilarity and horrified hysterics. I would know - I've spent around 200 hours playing it!
Check prices: Steam Deck and Windows handhelds
14. Cronos: The New Dawn
A recent addition to the survival horror world, Cronos: The New Dawn arrived on September 5, 2025, gripping us all with its brutal vibes. Set in a grim, retro-futurist world, you take the role of a Traveler working for the enigmatic Collective, exploring the wastelands in search of time rifts that transport you back to 1980s Poland.
Straddling the lines between past and future, you dive into a hellish reality where a pandemic has torn through the land, and there are mutated monsters and harrowing horrors hidden around every corner. In our 8/10 Cronos: The New Dawn review, Kayleigh describes it as "a tense experience that can test even the most seasoned survival horror veteran".
Kayleigh also highlights the game's successful use of dark, eerie environments, Dead Space-esque combat, and solid implementation of survival horror mechanics, all of which add up to make for an incredibly immersive horror action game, and one of the most exciting new horror IPs in recent times.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
15. Dredge
Released in 2023, Dredge is a truly unique horror adventure RPG, where you play as a fisherman who finds himself wrecked upon the shore of a small town. From there, you set out to pay off your debts and earn an honest living by taking to the treacherous seas in your rickety little boat in search of the next big catch.
However, you soon find yourself caught up in a net of a sinister nature, dredging up increasingly horrifying creatures as you venture further into open waters. In my Dredge preview, I explain "the twists and turns to the story, as well as the almost Lovecraftian vibe to the creatures of the deep, are all delightfully dark and otherworldly, and the warning of setting out on the sea at night should not be taken lightly."
While the core gameplay is a relatively simple blend of fishing game and RPG, Dredge chooses to incorporate its horror themes as a deep and dark undercurrent, as the very human fear of the unknown eats away at you. It drops frequent though sometimes subtle reminders that you're not alone - that something beyond your comprehension lies beneath the surface, just waiting for its moment to strike. And, if you really think about it, isn't that the scariest thing of all?
Check prices: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
16. The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation
Based on the 2020 Taiwanese movie, The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation is a first-person atmospheric horror game, and the first entry in the Softstar Horror-verse. However, it's not a direct adaptation. Instead, it takes the core themes of the source material - that is, urban legends and curses - and expands the world with new stories and scenarios and, in my opinion, manages to surpass the movie entirely.
The game follows six college kids who participate in a courage test challenging the well-known Bridge Curse legend, accidentally awakening a terrible curse in the process. Now, it's a race against the clock to find a way to break the curse and make it out alive, all while avoiding the terrifying female ghost that has haunted Tunghu University for decades.
With a bunch of high-pressure puzzles, spine-chilling chase sequences, and a deliciously dark story at its core, it really feels like a classic horror B-movie come to life. Its fantastic sequel, The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication, only steps the horror up even more, and would be absolutely perfect for any fans of Silent Hill f looking for some supernatural shenanigans to explore on the go - especially as we still don't have a Silent Hill 2 Switch port or Steam Deck support. Overall, I genuinely love both of these games, and consider Softstar's Horror-verse to be one of the most promising names in the horror genre.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
17. Dying Light: The Beast
2015's Dying Light was quite a juggernaut in the survival horror space, and still holds a staunch following to this day. Its unique mixture of roof-hopping parkour, open world exploration, and zombie-bashing action was a clear recipe for success, but, unfortunately, Dying Light 2 struggled to capture that same essence. However, fans of the original (and of action-infused survival horror in general) will be glad to know that Dying Light: The Beast is a big step in the right direction.
You once again take the role of Kyle Crane, who was captured by the Baron and, at this point, has endured years of painful experiments. Finally making your escape, you find yourself on the edge of humanity with both human and zombie DNA, and must struggle to control your inner beast as you seek out your revenge. And, as writer Sam Comrie says in our 8/10 Dying Light: The Beast review, "controlling Beast Mode isn't easy".
Sam spent most of his time with Dying Light: The Beast enjoying the co-op play with his pals on the Asus ROG Ally Z1e, and had a real blast. The game is also fully Steam Deck verified, meaning you can beast-out on many of the best handheld consoles whenever and wherever you like.
Check prices: Steam Deck and Windows handhelds
New horror games
Our regularly updated lists of the biggest new Switch games and new mobile games track all the top titles arriving on your favorite handheld platforms, including plenty of new horror games. Currently, we're eagerly anticipating the release of Resident Evil Requiem in February 2026 alongside the Switch 2 ports of Resident Evil VII and VIII. We're also looking forward to diving further into the factory with Poppy Playtime Chapter 5. And, of course, we can't wait for a new FNAF game to come along, too.
We're quite happy with our top picks for the best horror games that you can play on handhelds, but we're always looking for new fearsome frights to get our blood pumping. If we've missed your favorite, be sure to hop into our community Discord and give us a nudge. Or, if you're looking for a wider breadth of experiences to explore, be sure to check out our lists of the best Switch games, the best Steam Deck games, and the best mobile games overall.