April’s Nintendo Indie World Showcase was the place to be for any fan of portable indie games. This installment in the long-running Direct series updated us on some upcoming titles and threw in a few surprises along the way.
Given its recent rating by the Australian Classification Board, the number one thing that fans were looking forward to in this Indie Showcase is news of the Hollow Knight Silksong release date. Sadly, it wasn’t to be, but we did learn about a brand-new SteamWorld title, so that’s pretty cool.
The last Indie Showcase aired in November and gave us updates on games like Moonstone Island, On Your Tail, and Backpack Hero. Previous Indie Showcases revealed Switch hits like Mineko’s Night Market and A Little To The Left, but not every featured title is a guaranteed success. We learn that the hard way in our Sports Story review…
When is the Nintendo Indie World Showcase?
The Indie World Showcase aired on April 17, at 15:00 BST / 16:00 CEST / 07:00 PDT. For more information, head to the Indie World site right here.
Where can I watch the Indie World Showcase?
You can catch up on all the announcements on Nintendo’s YouTube channel below:
Indie World Showcase highlights
Little Kitty Big City – May 9, 2024
We’ve been waiting so long for this game and it’s finally here! Play as an adorable black cat (who looks just like Tilly’s cat Xiao) exploring a city filled with distractions and cosmetics to collect.
Yars Rising – 2024
A sci-fi side-scrolling adventure where you play as Yars, a hacker on a mission to take down a megacorporation.
Refind Self: The Personality Test Game – Summer 2024
Experience the life of an android in this pixel adventure, making important choices along the way to determine your personality type. There are 23 types in total and you can compare them with friends.
Sticky Business and Plan With Me DLC – available today
The super-cozy small business simulator Sticky Business is finally available on the Switch, alongside its recent Plan With Me DLC. Design and sell adorable stickers to customers who want to share their stories with you.
ANTONBLAST – November 12, 2024
Destroy your way through colorful and distinctive levels to take revenge on the literal Devil himself. He stole your soul collection and you want it back!
Valley Peaks – 2024
Explore a peaceful 3D world as a frog, using your leaps and tongue to reach new heights and avoid obstacles. Think of it like an amphibian version of Celeste, with minigames to play when you need a break and cheerful froggy friends to meet.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes – May 16, 2024
Experience this mysterious and paranormal noir game from the creators of Sayonara Wild Hearts on the Switch. Solve a variety of puzzles from combination locks to cophers to find the answers you seek.
Europa – 2024
You’ve been sent ahead of the rest of humanity to a new planet to make it habitable for your people. Glide your way through platforming puzzles to find the secrets of your new home.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate – July 2024
Previously an Apple Arcade-exclusive, TMNT: Splintered Fate transports the brothers to a Hades-like isometric roguelike dungeon. Use their unique specialties in combination with turtle powers you gain on your run to rescue Splinter. Oh, you can play in multiplayer too!
Cat Quest III – August 8, 2024
We love Cat Quest! In this third installment, you set out to explore the Purribean in search of the North Star, a long-lost treasure, when you’re confronted by the Pi-Rat King! Play solo or in local co-op to overcome evil and find the treasure.
Stitch. – available now
Another former Apple Arcade game making the jump to the Switch is Stitch., an adorable embroidery-themed puzzle game from the husband and wife duo at Lykke Studios. Create beautiful hoops by stitching the correct number of cells in the same color, similar to Picross. If you get stuck, you can access handy hints and there are plenty of accessibility options to help you.
BZZZT – Summer 2024
The first game in the quickfire portion was BZZZT, a retro-futuristic platformer with beautiful pixel visuals.
SCHiM – July 18, 2024
SCHiM is a 3D platformer all about using elements of light and shadow to your advantage.
ANIMAL WELL – May 9, 2024
ANIMAL WELL is an action-adventure set deep inside a labyrinth filled with secrets.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami – May 23, 2024
We caught a glimpse of Duck Detective during the most recent Wholesome Games Showcase, but we finally have a Switch release date. Use your powers of de-duck-tion to solve this lighthearted mystery.
Another Crab’s Treasure – April 25, 2024
Not long now until we dive into the ocean and take on a Souls-like that’s unlike anything we’ve seen before.
SteamWorld Heist II – August 8, 2024
This long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed SteamWorld Heist features more turn-based gunslinging and real-time naval combat as you fight for survival. The water has turned corrosive and no bot is safe.
That’s everything we learned from April’s Nintendo Indie World Showcase. While you’re here, why not check out our list of the indie games of the year from 2023? We’ve also got lists of new Switch games and new mobile games to look forward to this year.