Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Shinobi, Strider, Mega Man

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an absolute triumph in 'neo-retro' game design. It boasts fluid combat with plenty of variety in environmental and enemy design and an art style that looks like it beamed straight over from the early '90s. While its overall short length might be a bit of a sticking point for some, those looking for an action title that is not only a fantastic experience but also feels like an authentically retro one will find this to be an absolute no-brainer.

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Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider

Kraino Origins (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Mega Man, Castlevania, Super Mario Bros. 3

It may be over in the blink of an eye, but Kraino Origins proves itself to be a well-crafted and deeply enjoyable old-school action platformer while it lasts. There’s a little bit of Mega Man in here, a little more Castlevania, some Super Mario Bros. 3, but Kraino doesn’t feel overly derivative of such titles, largely because of its excellent level design. With some excellent 8-bit pixel art, this is an affordable and brief entry in the neo-retro genre, and one that we would definitely recommend.

Lunark (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Prince of Persia, Flashback, Another World, cinematic platformers in general

Even our minor frustrations with Lunark can’t overshadow the joy we felt as we played this unashamedly retro platformer. It is a competently put-together and lovingly crafted homage to an often-overlooked genre of gaming. Even the imprecise controls and Leo’s sluggish movements feel like a feature and not a bug in the game’s design. If you can wrap your head around them, there is a very solid platformer to enjoy here.

Tiny Thor (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: 16-bit Sega Genesis / Mega Drive platformers

Tiny Thor is a well-crafted retro platforming adventure that no fan of 16-bit gaming will want to miss. Though its controls can be a tad frustrating and its difficulty can be occasionally inconsistent, there’s no denying that this is a thoroughly enjoyable experience from stem to stern, especially for those who enjoy a fittingly old-school challenge. In all the best of ways, Tiny Thor feels like a lost Sega Genesis game, easily worth your time and money.

30XX (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Mega Man

Although it can be a bit uneven, 30XX is ultimately an enjoyable take on action platforming with a roguelite twist. The high difficulty, extreme replayability, and gorgeous visuals all come together to make for an action platformer you won’t want to miss out on. Beyond this, Mega Mode makes this one a solid recommendation even for those who don’t usually like roguelites, as it strips out most of the randomness and presents a more old-school challenge. For any fans of Mega Man, retro action platformers, or roguelikes, 30XX covers all those bases and then some, and deserves a spot in your Switch library.

Gravity Circuit (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Mega Man X, Mischief Makers

Now, cards on the table, we haven't actually reviewed this one. However, the very enthusiastic championing of many Nintendo Life readers made it the most recommended game in our regular Games We Missed feature, and if you're a fan of retro-feeling run 'n' gunning with a modern slant, we get the distinct impression that you'll enjoy Gravity Circuit. We'll update with our own thoughts once we've dug through our backlogs, but feel free to yay or nay in the comments.

Gravity Circuit
Gravity Circuit
Gravity Circuit
Gravity Circuit

Chico and the Magic Orchards DX (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Top-down GB puzzlers, Zelda: Link's Awakening dungeons

Chico and the Magic Orchards DX is an excellent callback to simpler days, featuring authentic retro visuals, tight level design, and a surprising amount of variety for such a small package. It’ll only last you a couple of hours at most, but anyone who misses the days of the OG Game Boy will want to give this one a look. It’s lots of fun, plenty charming, and a great use of a fiver.

Alisa Developer's Cut (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Resident Evil, Alone in the Dark

Alisa Developer's Cut is an excellent homage to classic survival horror that can easily stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark. From the tank controls to the cheesy voiceover work, it nails almost every aspect, providing an experience that feels like it was ripped straight from the '90s. Its overall appeal will likely be limited to those who are intimately familiar with survival horror, but if that's you, then strap yourself in for one of the best examples of the genre to date.

Sea of Stars (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: 16-bit RPGs including Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, and Illusion of Gaia.

Sea of Stars is a sensational achievement for Sabotage. The studio is two for two in providing impressively designed and genuinely innovative takes on classic genres. Some pacing issues aside, the complex narrative, deep and strategic combat, thoughtful level design, and fantastic visuals and music all combine to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make. If you consider yourself a fan of old-school RPGs, you must play Sea of Stars. And if not? The execution and polish here are so good that we’d suggest you give it a try anyway. There are few games that would be a better introduction and representation of what makes JRPGs great. Sea of Stars is an instant classic and a new high-water mark for modern retro-styled indies. You really shouldn’t miss out.

Sea of Stars (Multi-Language)
Sea of Stars (Multi-Language)
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars

Pepper Grinder (Switch eShop)

Inspired by: Dig Dig, Drill Dozer, Sonic the Hedgehog, DKC

Pepper Grinder is a wonderfully inventive and fun platformer that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on. Channelling the spirits of several retro dig-based games and 16-bit classics, it may have a runtime that feels a little too short, but this is ultimately a deeply enjoyable, challenging, and highly replayable game with lots of personality. If you think you’d be interested, we’d suggest you pick up Pepper Grinder at the next opportunity (and there's a even downloadable demo if you're on the fence).

Memory, all alone in the moonlight... Oh, sorry — we just had a flashback to watching Cats last Christmas. Fortunately, the selection of games above brings back far better memories. The past decade or so has been filled with retro-inspired gems and Switch hosts a great many of them. What modern games press your nostalgia buttons? Let us know your personal favourites below.

This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, 'Walking Sims' And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.

Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!

If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games Ever should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.