TEVI (Switch eShop)

TEVI deserves your attention, according to TheLaysOriginal.

This is a game that combines Metroidvania exploration and bullet hell gameplay into a beautifully seamless experience. With a nice modern pixel art style to boot. A rabbit character in a bullet hell Metroidvania you say? Where have I seen that before... (cough cough Rabi-Ribi). If you love Rabi-Ribi, you'll definitely get a kick outta this game!

Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

YouTube VideoWatch on YouTube

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube841k

Endling - Extinction Is Forever (Switch eShop)

Waddle's back with a shoutout for 2022's Endling.

I will try my best to avoid spoilers, but trust me: this game is just gut-wrenching. With its gameplay somewhere between infiltration and survival, you will quickly realize that nothing but the immediate safety of your litter matters in this cruel, depressing world. As resources become scarce and danger inexorably appears, mistakes become increasingly punishing. The game is not especially long nor difficult, but finishing it might be one the saddest story you will ever experience, and no one will blame you for throwing the towel before the end, or take long Kirby breaks between chapters to experience joy again.

Alpaca Ball: Allstars (Switch eShop)

And now over to Tommy for a load of balls in Alpaca Ball: Allstars.

Why? Alpaca Ball is the epitome to what makes the Switch the idea local multiplayer console, continuing the torch set by Nintendo themselves. Featuring up to 8 player local multiplayer, this arcade soccer experience has been our go to party game for years, with just enough polish to be taken seriously… as seriously as alpacas hitting soccer balls with their neck should be taken.

Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions (Switch eShop)

And Waddle caps off a quartet of potential corkers with Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions before squeezing in a cheeky fifth.

Captain Velvet Meteor is a great entry point for young players curious to dip their toes into tactical-RPGs, but who are afraid of the length and complexity that are usually associated with the genre. Here, the game proposes a minimalist approach to combat, each campaign focusing on two characters at a time with their own dedicated objectives and combo attacks. Despite its apparent simplicity, the experimental push-and-pull nature of the gameplay is interesting enough that even seasoned TRPG players could enjoy it as a short snack between more meaty adventures. Oh, and by the way: Spy x Family.

Spark the Electric Jester 3 (Switch eShop)

AmanPikon thinks that Spark the Electric Jester 3 is amazing.

I think Spark the Electric Jester 3 is amazing. It has fun level design, lively graphics, some great songs, and an okay story. It's worth way more than it's asking for, and has extra levels from it's predecessor. All in all, Spark 3 is GOATED and I can't wait for future releases.

JALECOlle Famicom Ver. Pinball Quest (Switch eShop)

A game for which we struggled to find a trailer, JJtheTexan likes a vintage Famicom release on Switch.

JALECOlle Famicom Ver. Pinball Quest is a clunky name for a great NES adaptation. As its original NES title suggests, this is a quest involving pinball tables. Your playable character is a pinball, and by using a magic set of flippers, you help the ball navigate its strange world and fight a series of enemies, obstacles, and bosses. It's a good challenge, but accessible to all thanks to a rewind feature and save states, plus in-game achievements. I love it!

Cattie (Switch eShop)

FishyS says that Cattie is "worth a grab on sale for anyone who collects cat platformers."

Cattie is a fairly standard precision platformer with the usual spikes to avoid and occasional enemies you can claw swipe. It has a pretty black and white aesthetic and satisfying jump controls. Although the game is extremely short and easy, it's a fun game to speedrun and has a cute level gimmick halfway through.

A Tiny Sticker Tale (Switch eShop)

Koi Tenchi comes back with a cosy one.

A Tiny Sticker Tale is a cute but short game (think 2 hours to beat, about 3 to 100%) that is full of charm. When I saw the trailer for A Tiny Sticker Tale, it reminded me of Paper Mario: Sticker Star. I know Sticker Star is hated, but hear me out! I found Sticker Star to be at odds with itself as it had a cute overworld sticker mechanic, but battles that were pointless. A Tiny Sticker Tale is like if you took Sticker Star, removed the battles, honed the overworld puzzles, and turned the charm up to 11!

A Year Of Springs (Switch eShop)

FishyS likes A Year Of Springs, "one of the sweetest slice of life visual novels I've read."

It's short and has simple but adorable art and does a great job describing a variety of types of interpersonal relationships and the inherent awkwardness that trying to live life as yourself can create. It made me both smile and cry and was one of those rare games which I know will stick with me for a long time.

Cat and Ghostly Road (Switch eShop)

FishyS swings back around for another pass with Cat and Ghostly Road. (Fishy is also a fan of Tetris The Absolute The Grand Master 2 Plus!)

Cat and Ghostly Road is a point-and-click adventure about a cat who enters the spirit world to save its owner. It has a lovely aesthetic and is simply a charming little game.

Botworld Odyssey (Switch eShop)

sdtrawick keeps things short and sweet. Well, short, at least.

Botworld Odyssey. Similar to monster taming (but instead of monsters they are robots). Auto battling tactical RPG.

Which Way Up: Galaxy Games (Switch eShop)

And finally, Alex (not that one) squeaked in there with a recent release.

Which Way Up: Galaxy Games launched last month and is a 2D party platformer inspired by Super Mario Galaxy. It's from one of the level designers behind Boomerang Fu and is seriously so much fun to play with friends and family.

Which of these Switch games have you enjoyed most?

You may select up to 3 answers:

Thanks again to everyone who responded. Let us know below if you've sampled any of the games above and if you agree with the recommendations.

Got more recommendations for us? Send us your recommendations by following the guidelines and instructions below:

Submission guidelines

  • 100-word limit - Keep it brief! A history of the genre and deep dive into every mechanic is unnecessary. Concentrate on what the game is about, what sets it apart from other games, and why you enjoyed it.
  • One entry per game - Feel free to send your thoughts on multiple games, but there's no need to duplicate.
  • Choose only games that we haven't reviewed on the site - To check if a Nintendo Life review exists, simply type the name of the game into the search box at the very top of the page (look for the magnifying glass icon in the top left corner) and click on the game page that appears. If there's no review, and it doesn't appear in a previous Reader Recommendations feature (which will also appear on the game page if it exists), you're good to go!

How to send a recommendation

  • Head to Nintendo Life's Contact page and select the subject "Switch eShop Hidden Gems" from the drop-down menu (it's already done for you in the link above). Type your name, email, and beautifully crafted message into the appropriate box, hit send, and Bob's your uncle!