Eternal Threads (Switch eShop)

LavaTwilight is into time-manipulation game Eternal Threads.

After years of waiting to come to the Switch, it finally shadow dropped to no fanfare. However this game was amazing. Unlike most branching stories, this one starts at the end with the constant grizzly reminder of what will happen if you fail your mission. Each change seems uneventful to begin with until you untangle the web. It was set up to receive a sequel but I think it was scrapped, which is a shame because this game definitely deserved better than the reception it received.

Fate/stay night REMASTERED (Switch eShop)

OctoAmbush apparently missed that we won't be reviewing any of these recommendations (we'd love to, but there are just too many games!), but Fate/stay night REMASTERED is worth highlighting.

YouTube VideoWatch on YouTube

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube841k

I think you should review Fate/Stay Night Remastered, it's the definitive version of a classic VN from the developers of Tsukihime and its first official English release!

Jubilee (Switch eShop)

FishyS had a couple of recommendations. Firstly, Jubilee:

Jubilee is a precision platformer with a tiny smidge of Metroidvania DNA - you can go various directions in a big map and find different areas, but there are no power-ups or new abilities or things blocking your progress. There are simply platforming challenges no matter what direction you go — spinning saws here, conveyor belts floating over a spike pit there. Some of the sections are slightly ridiculous, but there are enough checkpoints that it feels quite fair. It's the type of game where you can die 10 times in one minute and want more. And the platforming feels great.

Dadish 3D (Switch eShop)

Also from FishyS is Dadish 3D, "a cute retro-3D variant of the goofy radish precision platforming series."

50 levels with some nice variety, including some interesting 'race towards the camera' levels. Not hard but some of the levels took a few tries to beat and there are no checkpoints. Overall, a fun little romp and all the dad jokes you could want.

Vividlope (Switch eShop)

Squiddu was keen to highlight Vividlope by jaklub.

VIVIDLOPE is a puzzle-platformer game where you run around on tiles to paint them on a stage. However, many enemies will spawn that can kill you, but just as many items spawn to help you paint the map and defeat enemies. Paint enough tiles, and you win! It may be considered a puzzler, but it ends up being extremely hectic and fun hopping around and smacking things with a hammer like a maniac.

Arco (Switch eShop)

Arco looks great and is going on our wishlist thanks to a couple of recommendations:

ARCO is a choices-matter tactical strategy game based on Latin-American culture, published by Panic. It features captivating pixel art and a well-written Western-esque revenge story.
Jack Tanski

Arco is a tactical RPG with a unique setting and moving story. Battles combine turn-based movement with real-time elements. You’re typically outnumbered and outgunned, but you can see your opponents moves in advance. The key to success is using your available skills and the map environment to dodge, weave, and attack. Battles are tight and brutal! They fit within a beautiful story about indigenous peoples resisting miners and gangs in Mesoamerica, and the pixel graphics are surprisingly evocative. Post-release patches have also smoothed out performance for the Switch version, so check it out!
XiaoShao

Grand Mountain Adventure Wonderlands (Switch eShop)

Daniel was straight to the point with his appraisal of Grand Mountain Adventure Wonderlands.

Grand Mountain Adventure, the best skiing experience through snow since... ever? Simple to pick up, hard to put down.

Cosmo Dreamer (Switch eShop)

Quarth highlighted a couple of shoot 'em ups.

You've missed to review the two cute em ups Cosmo Dreamer and Like Dreamer. Really charming and fun shmups worth a look.

Seventh Lair (Switch eShop)

"Play Seventh Lair," said MR JACK W J BIRKS.

Quality visual novel about 6 hours long, it's a spin off to the house in fata morgana, which is famous for its high metacritic score. Be aware though you do need to play that before this.

About An Elf (Switch eShop)

About An Elf may or may not be a game about an elf. Kurt Asbestos assures us it's worth a look regardless.

This game is... weird. The visuals are awesome, the music is repetitive yet catchy, but the goofy dialog is the real star. The only downside is that there's not a lot of actual gameplay. They describe it as a "point-and-click-ish, rpg-ish, visual-novel-ish game", but I'd say that it's mostly just a visual novel. Still, I enjoyed my time with it. My only regret is developing a crush on Princess Dam only to find out that's she's entirely CG.

They Always Run (Switch eShop)

"They Always Run is an action platformer with a cool space cowboy look to it," says timtimtim.

The story is boilerplate sci-fi, but the reason to play is the gorgeous art and the rewarding combat — at least once you get used to the controls. I had a blast playing as a bounty hunter looking like the Man with No Name in a cyberpunk future and cutting through crowds of henchmen standing in my way, all while marvelling at each new location as I hunted my bounties.

Baron: Fur Is Gonna Fly (Switch eShop)

timtimtim is also a fan of Baron: Fur Is Gonna Fly.

Baron is the classic Intellivision's Biplanes (from the Triple Action cartridge) brought up-to-date! It has up to 8 players dogfighting on a single screen, several competitive game modes, and a couple of solo challenges. In addition, the special weapons are cartoonishly silly and add fun chaos when playing with lots of other players, and the music is a treat — WWI-era styled songs with amusing lyrics about the animal characters. It is just about everything I would want in a new version of Biplanes, without any connection to the Amico fiasco.

stitch. (Switch eShop)

And finally, KoiTenchi picks Stitch.

Stitch. showed off its charm right away in the first trailer. The idea of a puzzle game based around knitting is just clever and it's arguably the cutest puzzle game I've ever played. It never gets too difficult but I always find it a relaxing game to visit between other longer games. There is a crazy amount of puzzles along with daily puzzles and some paid DLC leading me to put over 90 hours into it and still be playing. There is a Mystery Master mode that unlocks after completing all the puzzles which adds even more replay value.


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? Perhaps a game dropped when we were crazy busy, or it failed to catch our eye amongst the deluge of AI-generated eShop bilge. Or maybe it just looked rubbish from the trailer - you never can tell 100%!

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!