
Rounding off 2021 in style, December was yet another cracking month for downloadable delights on the Switch eShop.
These awards aim to celebrate the best of Nintendo's digital store, giving some love and attention to the games that could so easily be missed in the Switch's ever-growing library.
So, let's get started. Here are the best Switch eShop games of December 2021!
Honourable Mentions:
While these titles didn't quite make our top three this month, they're still certainly worth checking out:
- Archvale | Review: 9/10
- Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Anniversary Edition | Review: 9/10
- Super Impossible Road | Review: 8/10
- Life is Strange: True Colors | Review: 8/10
- Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Anniversary Edition | Review: 8/10
- Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition | Review: 8/10
- Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space | Review: 7/10
- Wytchwood | Review: 7/10
- Omno | Review: 7/10
- Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX | Review: 7/10
3. Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon (Switch eShop)
Taking third place this month is Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, a super-addictive puzzler based on a universe we're all more than familiar with at this stage.
You can't really go wrong with a well-made falling block puzzle game, and Shovel Knight's latest outing is a smartly designed and truly delightful revitalisation of the genre. We praised the title for boasting "high intensity, combat-driven gameplay, oodles of replayability, a cute art style, and a surprising amount of depth" in our review, and plenty of members of the team have been gripped ever since.
A very strong entry for a third-place position, this one.
2. Loop Hero (Switch eShop)
Sneaking ahead of Pocket Dungeon and grabbing second place, though, is Loop Hero.
A creative new take on the RPG genre, Loop Hero successfully combines light deckbuilding elements, an alternative take on tower defence gameplay, and a solidly paced loot system. The very nature of its gameplay means it's a pretty repetitive title – hence the 'Loop' – but we called it "a consistently rewarding and engaging game that’ll easily get its hooks in you" in our review.
If you haven't heard about this one yet, get that review read to learn all about it and see whether or not it's for you. We certainly recommend it. And again. And again.
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1. Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Switch eShop)
As for this month's winner? That prize goes to Chicory: A Colorful Tale.
One of the best adventure games available on Switch, Chicory won this month's staff vote very comfortably indeed. With a cast of likeable characters and a great sense of humour, yet not afraid to tackle some surprisingly heavy themes, the game's 25-30 hour journey is one we wholehearted recommend you take.
We described it as "a beautiful marriage of mechanics, themes and visuals" in our review, and we hope you have the opportunity to check it out for yourselves.
< Nintendo Life eShop Selects - November 2021
How we decide our eShop Selects top three: As we reach the end of every month, the Nintendo Life staff vote on their favourite titles from a list of games selected by the editorial team. To qualify for this list, these games must have been released as a digital-only Nintendo Switch eShop title in that particular month, and must have been reviewed on Nintendo Life; we select the qualifying games based on their review scores.
Staff are then asked to vote for three games that they think deserve to sit right at the very top of that list; first choice gets 3 points, second choice gets 2 points, and third choice gets 1 point. These votes are then tallied to create a top three list, with the overall winner taking that month's top prize.
Comments 24
This eshop selects thing, I don't know if this is a series here already or it is a new idea. But I liked a lot.
I don't count the Danganronpa games considering they had a physical version (or they'd clearly win) so for me I'm probably going to say Archvale. Played it on 'Hardcore' difficulty and it was super fun with a bit of challenge.
Loop Hero was a lot of fun while it lasted but I beat the last couple of chapters really easily first try which put a bit of a damper on things. I never really got that into Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon for whatever reason.
Definitely would like to play Chicory: A Colorful Tale at some point but I'm waiting for an eShop sale.
Finished Loop Hero on Steam yesterday. Pleasantly addictive gameplay, if you don't mind the slightly tedious grind needed to unlock all the buildings and menus within the campsite.
What a strong month of releases last month was, I'm so keen to play all of these 3 games and a lot more on the longlist too.
I bought a load of games over December but I don't think any of them released that month. Chicory is on the wishlist though and I'll buy it once I've finished with Crosscode and Eastward. Of the games I bought and started in December, my game of the month has to be Kaze and the Wild Masks. An absolutely brilliant platformer.
I noticed Eschatos got a Western release this week. I already bought it from the Japanese Eshop a while back. I hope to see NL review it and for it to feature in the top 3. It's a really superb shmup that looks and plays amazingly and is rather unique among the enormous Switch shmup library. It kind of reminds me of Silpheed on the Mega CD.
For me, first Danganronpa is the best eShop game of December.
I haven't bought any of these yet, December being what it was, but Chicory is definitely on my radar. I was hoping to get Danganronpa physical, but it seems like it had the tiniest print run - prices are already climbing, and I think I might have missed out. I'm overextended now anyway. Fingers crossed for a second printing.
@OorWullie Eschatos looks really good. I see it comes with two other shmups bundled, too. Are those any good?
@JasmineDragon I've only played them briefly. They're rather basic but seem alright. I think they have their own online leaderboards so I'll give them a proper go at some point. It's a pretty feature packed port. It's got everything you'd hope for and more. There's quite a lot to unlock too, like various special effects, wallpapers and other options. Plus there is the alternative modes. Really great game. Just finished playing it 5 minutes ago actually.
Chicory is on my radar. I really like what I’ve seen on the game so far.
Chicory looks adorable! Thanks for letting me know about it!
its funny how until now I never made the connection between chicory and okami although both are zelda-esque action adventures with a dog and a paintbrush.
I do understand its still sorta different and wouldn't ever call chicory a rip off or anything. Its just funny to see these sorta obvious parallels.
Currently I'm pretty deep into various games, but I'm sorta excited to dive into chicory sooner or later as it even made it into GOTY discussions and when announces on PS4 I didn't wanna buy it there as it just looked like it had to come out on the Switch.
I hope Chicory gains some real traction this time. I haven't played it yet, but its predecessor, the under the radar Wandersong, is one of my favorite indies ever. Sadly, it never really gained that big of a following
Chicory and Shovel Knight both look impressive.
I bought Omno but haven't had a chance to play it yet because I was playing Brilliant Diamond so much last month. The majority of the honorable mentions are on my wishlist, although ironically none of the top 3 are.
Hollow 2, Miracle Snack Shop and Sakura Santa
I'm waiting until next month to get the physical release of Life is Strange: True Colors
My vote was "Something Else" and that is Yu-Gi-Oh Rush Duel, been really enjoying it, and it looks amazing on the OLED model.
Chicory was kinda boring(for me),I'm not a big fan of those easy wholesome big chungus games about depression and I got bored of drawing 4 hours in the game.
I've been backlogging it recently but all 3 of these are on my list. I think Chickory is up first once I finish a couple of other games.
I finished Chicory a few days ago (though I still plan to try to get 100% in the post-game). Easily, one of my favorite games of the last few years. One of those rare instances of a perfect match between story and gameplay.
And the Switch version offers optional touch and motion controls, both of which fit this particular game like a glove.
Chicory looked great in the Indie Direct last month - I'm just waiting for a physical release announcement as I'd really like to be able to share the game with my daughters.
@JasmineDragon Just a little update about Eschatos, or rather about one of the extra games included, Judgement Silversword. I've just been playing it there and it's a lot better than I initially thought. It is quite basic looking but the action is intense. It has a cool scoring system too and online leaderboards. Plus it looks great in TATE mode as when enlarged, the play area takes up most of the screen with only little borders.
The whole package of Eschatos is really impressive. There's a lot in there. Plus an ongoing levelling system that unlocks stuff as you play.
@OorWullie Thanks for the update! I need to eliminate some backlog before I buy it, but it's officially on the list.
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