Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night? Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? Have you or your family ever seen a spook, spectre or ghost?
If the answer is "no"... you obviously haven't been playing any of the excellent horror games available on Nintendo Switch. There's no shortage of scary games on the console, but you may well be wondering which are the best Switch horror games to load up when you're in the house alone on a darkened night and in the mood for a fright.
We've rounded up the best scary games on Switch - in no particular order - to get that pulse racing. Not all of them are outright horror games, but each and every single one of these titles is a spooky treat in its own way. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Little Nightmares: Complete Edition (Switch)
Little Nightmares boasts some superb character and environment design, and exceptional sound too, with parts of the Maw screaming as if the ship was a gigantic bionic seafarer. Its story is compellingly told, and the way the main game connects with the DLC is immensely rewarding. If you're not afraid of a few scares – and let's be honest, you wouldn't be reading this if you weren't – then Little Nightmares is a moreish puzzler with an exceptionally creepy cast capable of turning any stomach.
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Observer (Switch eShop)
Despite threatening to fizzle under the weight of its reverence for Blade Runner, Observer manages to craft an impressive and affecting horror experience on Switch that doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s arguably at its best when you surrender to the barrage of imagery and sounds rather than scanning pools of blood with detective vision. This port walks a technical tightrope and falters a little in docked mode, but fares much better as a handheld experience – its ambition and rich world-building are admirable enough to make up for any technical shortcomings. As for the scare factor, well, everyone’s going to have their own personal scale when it comes to what makes you moisten your trousers, but if dread, unease and a total lack of predictability sound like your cup of tea, you could be looking forward to a long, sleepless night after playing this one.
Resident Evil Revelations Collection (Switch)
This series is granddaddy of survival horror games, so it's obviously going to feature on this list. Resident Evil Revelations Collection combines both the original 3DS title Revelations and Revelations 2 (although the sequel is a download code if you buy physical, so beware) and provides some excellent over-the-shoulder scares. Both are available separately on the eShop and the latter is ideal for co-op if you have a friend. In fact, we'd recommend you bring someone else along - it might be less scary that way...
Layers of Fear: Legacy (Switch eShop)
Layers of Fear: Legacy is a horrifying walking simulator in which you have to explore the house of a mad painter. The scares are psychological here, and even a simple pan of the camera can alter the environment considerably. You'll be terrified to take a simple step in this artistic mind-messer; the creativity in its scares helps to keep you guessing about what’s around every corner, and even then, its unique set-pieces will most certainly surprise you anyway. Slightly lacklustre gameplay aside, the plot’s descent into madness and the title’s dedication to messing with your expectations to set up a scare mean that this horrific experience is one you won’t want to miss out on.
Outlast: Bundle of Terror (Switch eShop)
The original Outlast: Bundle of Terror proved that indie developers can do survival horror – and do it well. You play as the freelance journalist Miles Upshur, who decides to stop writing about Brexit and new-age diets and go looking for a story inside a long-abandoned asylum. However, it might not be quite as abandoned as it looks...
If you like the original there's also Outlast 2 to consider. It takes place in the same universe as the original, but has you playing as a husband and wife investigative journalists Blake and Lynn Langermann. Armed with only a camera, you have to investigate the mysterious death of an unknown pregnant woman. Nothing can go wrong there, surely? Both Outlast games are must-have experiences for those who love to be scared witless, although the first one is perhaps the best. Still, the sequel is worth a look when you're finished filling your unmentionables with...fear.
Limbo (Switch eShop)
Limbo is a brilliantly moody and expertly poised platform-puzzler that tells a harrowing story entirely without the use of words. It might be a little stark, but it's dense with ingenious physics puzzles and weighty platforming challenges. It's pretty powerful stuff, and your imagination will run wild at what it all means. Oh, and there's an absolutely massive spider to contend with. That provides more than enough horror to earn its place here.
Detention (Switch eShop)
Detention is a horror classic that deserves a place on your Nintendo Switch. Its story has an important message behind it as it introduces themes that seem almost unfair when viewed through the eyes of a child, but that only helps to escalate the horror. Through a terrifying atmosphere, a series of chilling ghouls, and a soundtrack that will sink its teeth into you, Detention is a suitably horrifying title that should be experienced first-hand.
Inside (Switch eShop)
Inside is the spiritual successor to Limbo, and it builds on its predecessor in every imaginable way possible. A grimly beautiful platform-puzzler that, while brief, is packed full of jaw-dropping highlights, its dark tone won't be for everyone, but it's all been executed brilliantly, with gently taxing physics-based conundrums woven into a haunting wordless narrative. It's a very similar game to its predecessor in many ways, with side-scrolling elements, a gorgeous, moody art style, and a vulnerable protagonist at the heart of it. Everything's just bigger, better, and way more affecting.
Dark Souls: Remastered (Switch)
Dark Souls: Remastered might not be a strict horror game, but it's packing plenty of frights nonetheless. This is a faithful remaster of a touchstone in video game design that improves overall performance while preserving all of the character traits that made the original such a memorable experience. While it’s no less forgiving - and its menus are a little fiddly - this slick Nintendo Switch iteration offers the only way to experience Lordran’s ultra-challenging odyssey in true handheld form. Between the daunting difficulty, horrific monsters, and a claustrophobic dark setting, Dark Souls will have you as tense as a night spent in a haunted house. Enter, if you dare!
Comments (92)
No Vroom in the Night Sky?
This list is a joke.
The Coma isn't on this list.
I do like a good horror game, I think both Outlast games has some of the most messed up horror gaming in them that I have ever played, Love it!!
Inside--seriously good.
I was going to play Little Nightmares...but apparently it's not scary enough for this list
Wow... Spooky. Like 3 games on the list could be considered scary, but no one is afraid of 2d pixels.
Kind of a boring list in my opinion. Nothing against the article but the lack of good horror games on switch. Imagine if We had a true vc how much better this could've been. ( zombies ate my neighbors, castlevania etc).
I played the prologue on the 24th and started playing one in game day each day after that. That'll actually put me on the in-game Halloween festival "Harfest" on Halloween. I love Night in the Woods, and I want a sequel! The story and the fact it takes place in fall also make it the perfect fall/Halloween game.
Bulb Boy? Nah.
I really enjoyed both Detention and Oxenfree; fascinating tales about how past misdeeds can taint the present. Detention can get quite disturbing at certain points and Oxenfree's dialog mechanic is pretty great.
Limbo, on the other hand, just gave me cheap deaths, underused mechanics and a story that was just a barely there pile of nonsense. A total waste of money, in my opinion.
Going too try bulb boy
Dark Souls is a horror game now?
@MagnaRoader 2D pixels?!?! AAAHHHH!!!
When you realize the Switch does not have a single retail horror game...
And plz stop making lists plz.
Dark souls isn't scary, and where is little nightmares?
If you're putting Dark Souls on that list (number 1 no less) then you might as well throw Skyrim on there, lol
After all dark souls does have a very 'army of darkness' vibe to it which is a horror comedy
@Giygas_95 I couldn't agree more about a sequel. The quality of this game is so immense I would put it up there with the likes of Mario Odyssey, Xenoblade 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in terms of must have titles.
Oxenfree is a good game to and its length makes it perfect for a Halloween play through.
Outlast series looks to sadistic for me. Not my thing.
I almost didn't make it to the end of Bulb Boy - it's beyond disgusting!
@Vapeguy Yes, Skyrim should easily be able to make that list considering what else has made the cut.
Played Limbo yesterday. A real work of art.
Today Bulb Boy - I can highly recommend it for halloween.
Next will be Little Nightmare
Played through Layers of Fear yesterday in a single long sitting so can recommend that to people as a good source of creepiness.
Oxenfree is also class as a Halloween game.
Gotta give Little Nightmares a whirl- didnt release physically over here in the US so had import it- i know its not a Switch game but gotta give Killer Instinct on the XB a shout out for Halloween games- Sabrewulf vs Spinal in 4k on the XBX
I just started playing Diablo 3 on Switch, this will be my Halloween game. This game was leaked today, but I will be buying the retail cart when it's selling in the store.
@bluemage1989 This is my third play through of the game, and I'm currently doing the first hangout with Gregg, which I've never actually done before. I just dropped the crate and Gregg down the stairs a whole bunch just to see what he and Mae would say to each other. XD I restarted it so I can see what happens when you actually do it right.
Prices are way too high for these games, save for the couple of indies. 50 bucks for Doom on Switch vs 10 bucks for Doom on PS4 with better graphics. Also Resident Evil 7, The Evil Within 2 and Bloodborne are having criminally low prices right now. I’m sorry Nintendo, but I have to give it to PS4 for the horror nights.
I hope an exclusive quality horror game will come out for the Switch some day. Just like Project Zero for the Wii U.
@Giygas_95 funnily enough I'm on my third play through also doing an all Greg play through as I've only seen a little of his side and so far id say it is just as great as Bea's side.
After the great response I'm not sure why there has been no hint of a sequel.
No thanks. I'll head back to ZombiU on, of course, the WIi U.
The switch is missing some Project Zero, I'm surprised they didn't port maiden of the blackwater to switch, I thought it was quite a good game that didn't get the audience it deserved on Wii U. Also Koei Tecmo are happy to bring every Warriors game under the sun to Switch so you would think they would be quite used to the porting process now.
I would put outlast 1 & 2 on spine chilling like Silent Hill the original that gave me the creeps literally and that was on the PS. Doom series is more of shoot'em horror game instead.
wish the list had consisted of games thare are or had coming out this and last month, a good portion of these games had been out for a while
I will recognize that Binding of Isaac falls less under "Creepy" and more like "Incredibly Disturbing", I mean, no matter how many times you play it, a baby running around doing some (and having some) gruesome shnizzit is pretty bad, it wasn't very fun, I see the unique novelty that drew/draws so many people to it, but take away some of it and it was pretty boring for me, it was the first (and as yet only) Switch game I have traded away
(remember this is "personal opinion", so no one get insulted like some people do here)
...No Knock-Knock? It's not exactly scary, but it was quite creepy...
@MagnaRoader The remake of Corpse Party, a 2D pixel art horror put together in RPG Maker, scared the bejeebers out of me. So yes, 2D pixel games can be very effective. Not super keen on the one coming to Switch, though, with the chibi 3D style.
Well I watched the youtube player for Outlast and that was creepy enough for me. I did order 1 & 2 but man just watching and hearing him play was more than enough. Some games gives you the willies and some are just let's blast them to hell.
Don’t let the list fool you into believing this is a good list. Layers of Fear: Legacy deserves to be up higher and Little Nightmares also deserves to be on this list. And take out Dark Souls for goodness sakes! The Outlast games are arguably the best produced AAA horror titles on the Switch so why so low for 2? Anyway, I love horror games.
Since were on the topic I would love to see Five Nights at Freddy’s games (if they count) come to Switch as well as Amnesia! Also might as well ask for Silent Hill lol
I'd strongly recommend The Missing and Black Bird.
@jhewitt3476 For mie it was just too hard
@mgnoodle
it was incredibly frustrating, but also trying to play through, it was just Very unfulfilling also
Just seen the list on the official Switch channel. It's quite a lot better - but this features more, er, deep cuts.
No Kona on the list, bad list.
Cya
Raziel-chan
Where did "little nightmares" go?! Why is it not on the eShop!?
Fairly decent collection of games. In my experience, Silent Hill 2 was the absolute best at creating an atmosphere of fear. Pyramid Head is an iconic villian — imagine him following you around in the dark.
@nintendobynature castlevania ain’t horror tho. Just a gothic setting.
Shouldn’t Mario Odyssey be on this list? Those nipples!!!
Dark Souls is actually really creepy, although at the same time it’s very over the top, not taking itself too seriously. Some of the NPC’s feel like their taken straight from some campy B-horror movie and I love it!
Little nightmare where are thou
Oxenfree is gash. Don't bother.
Dark Souls No. 1!? Ah, Amazon...
when i think of Horror games. i think of something jump scaring me. like outlast.
@Skalgrim I hear you I was just speaking in general terms. Either way, it should be able to be played on switch is all I was saying.
@bluemage1989 I sure hope it happens. I badly want to see what Mae does next. I don't feel like the first game gave her a conclusive enough ending. At least if she had gotten a job that would have been something. I felt like the game ended too suddenly.
Truly the Dark Souls of Halloween game lists.
My own top 5 in order
Layers of Fear
Outlast 1
Outlast 2
Detention
Resident Evil Revelations
Inside would certainly be in there but it's not horror. Neither is Doom or Dark Souls. Bulboy is alright and Oxenfree was absolutely terrible.
I feel like Dark Souls is somewhat forced in here, much like many other games, while some real under-the-radar horror games that aren't half bad are once again left out of the spotlight.
A few games are discounted until Halloween... But my payday isn't until halfway next month and I don't have the spare cash now.
Trying to resist the temptation is a horror unto itself.
I've plumped for Bulb Boy and Inside on the current discounts. Worth mentioning that the (currently discounted?) Cave Story+ has a delightful (but not scary) seasonal Halloween theme right now! And co-op on Switch. Defintely worth the upgrade from the free PC version whilst on discount.
There is a Halloween sale on the eShop right now with a few more suggestions. I have played Detention for a bit. Haven't gotten to the scary parts, yet. But I like the atmosphere so far.
The other game I bought is Agatha Knife. It more gross and disturbing instead of scary so far. I like how weird an off beat it is.
@OorWullie I was beginning to think I was the only one who didn't like Oxenfree.
Soo.... Fatal Frame when?
@Kimyonaakuma I was one of the few that didnt enjoy that game.
@BANJO Right?! There are some seriously creepy and or scary moments in Skyrim
@Jack_Goetz Same here, with all of its near universal praise I expected something quite different, it's good if you like talking games I guess..
So did you change the list, but leave the original comments? 🤔
@Razzy
Kona looks interesting. Is it really that scary or just a just a bit spooky/mysterious?
Games with a spooky vibe I like but the really scary games, not so much. I've made exceptions for Dead Space 1 and 2 on PC though.
I'd add The Count Lucanor to the list, I'm not sure I'd have Dark Souls on this list either.
Is Hellblade not on the list because it wasn't yet released on Switch when this was compiled?
Where’s Night Trap?
Dark Souls? Friday the 13th?
This list just reveals how weak Nintendo Switch's horror game library currently is.
@Rapido
I hope for it every day!
Deadly Premonition
The best one is Amnesia, it'll make you sh*t in your pants.
Little Nightmares and Layers of Fear are pretty cool too and so is the RE: Revelations collection (which we don't get here tsk). I never played Outlast but I heard it's cool too.
Limbo as a horror? Hmm... I see it more as a dark platformer. Dark Souls is definitely not horror and I'd add the amazing Hellblade to the list instead. Friday the 13th is yet another silly Android game ported to Switch. If these are horror then The Last Door deserves to be included more than them.
I'm sure there are also a lot more that deserve attention but can't play them all.
@Kimyonaakuma Little Nightmares is the first on the list. Maybe they meant to have it on the list and fixed it.
Where's Luigi's Mansion 3?
Everybody forgets Kona.
I think Ghostbusters deseves a place on the list. I was hoping Alien Isolation would have released for Halloween.
@Gwynbleidd Are you thinking of Slayaway Camp? the Friday the 13th Game isn't on mobile.
You open the article with a direct quote from Ghostbusters yet don't have the Ghostbusters Remastered game on the list....
Thumper is classified as a horror game, so I'm sticking with that. lol
EDIT: Wait, this was from last year...? What happened, I'm confused. >.<
I’m curious about welcome to hanwell. It’s on sale and I kinda want it but I’m concerned about the Y inversion and if it’s in the game or not.
@TwoTilMidnight dang, you're right! It was still Friday the 13th, but got confused with Killer Puzzle, my bad.
This is an old article that has been updated, which is why you are seeing comments asking where X game is when you are seeing it on the list.
I’d also recommend Death Mark’s sequel, Spirit Hunter NG, which I liked even more than the first. It was more streamlined and had better writing. I also really liked True Fear: Forsaken Souls. It wasn’t really that scary, per se, but it had great atmosphere and was probably the best ‘hidden object’ game I’ve ever played. The writing and mystery story were great and the gameplay much better than the usual hidden object game.
Detention is one of my favorites! Def eerie game. 👀🧐
alien isolation will be the king of Nintendo best horror games forever after the release
just finished hellblade senua's sacrifice and that could qualify as horror game ,in fact it's one of the most disturbing game I have ever played.
Added Stories Untold
Both Yomawari games.
Especially the 1st.
No Alien Isolation
It's strange, it's not a genre that I really really like but I have played and enjoyed a fair fw in that list because they are just basically high quality video games.
Such as: Resi Evil 4 (especially Wii Edition, one of my fav all time games), RE Revelations, Alien Isolation, Limbo & Inside. Stories Untold is on my wishlist, haven't got round to downloading it yet.
I loved Luigi's mansion 3 and Ghostbusters Wii (a Switch version exists as well, as you know) for the cartoony fun, horror/thriller video games
@BigKing The Coma has a psychical release as I bought it £10 in Argus. Also Remothered is another I own.
Not included Remothered ‘Tormented Fathers in that list is just criminal as it’s far scarier then 90% of the games in your list. The Spider in the Limbo and the long haired ghost girl who frowns you in Inside are the only scary things in those game.
Granted Remothered has flaws such as the killers hanging around the rooms in the house you need to be. And the Mirrors only healing Laura so much before they crack. Still the best survival horror game since Maiden of the Dark Water
Sinking city is on my list with Outlast. SC has its issues, but it has an interesting open world and the most scared I've been in a boss fight since the early silent hill games. Frogware said that Silent Hill was one of its influencers when making this game. It's rough at times, but we've been loving it.
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