Inside (Switch eShop)

Inside is the spiritual successor to Limbo (also thoroughly worth checking out if you enjoy creepy 2D experiences), and it builds on its predecessor in every imaginable way. 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 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 more affecting.

Kamiko (Switch eShop)

Stunningly stylish and with an irresistibly kinetic sense of motion, Kamiko was an early Switch release and a true gem. It's a quick ride, to be sure, but gorgeous pixel-art visuals, a lush soundtrack and three very different characters with plenty of speedrunning potential make it well worth coming back to. A uniquely appealing, action-packed package, this is an easy recommendation for any Switch owner.

Superhot (Switch eShop)

Superhot offers a first-person shooter experience unlike any other, and although the main campaign is a little bit on the short side - a boon in this case - once you’ve made it through you’ll have dozens of new ways to replay it should you wish. In a genre that can feel a little tired sometimes, Superhot feels like the most innovative shooter we’ve played in years.

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda (Switch eShop)

This one might be a little too much for a single session depending on how quickly you pick up the beat-based mechanic, but unless you're a speedrunner you won't find a faster Zelda game. Brace Yourself Games has crafted a unique entry which fits in perfectly with the rest of the family. A transfusion from Crypt of the NecroDancer gives the old top-down template a fresh spin but it still manages to feel like Zelda. It feels like a celebration – specifically of the franchise's music, a part of the series destined to take a back seat as the majesty of Hyrule is increasingly conveyed through the scale of its world rather than melodies from the days when the 'kingdom' was a walled garden. Cadence of Hyrule is not just a brilliant game, it's a brilliant Zelda game - one that you won't want to miss.

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Downwell (Switch eShop)

Another one where your skill will really dictate how short it is, this is an excellent port of a game that feels like it’s found a natural home on Switch thanks to a plethora of control options and the console’s natural facility with vertical orientation. Short of popping your 4K TV on its side, Switch offers the very best way to play Downwell. Its roguelike structure and twitch platforming might not be for everyone, but you should really give it a chance. For our money, it’s a modern classic that should be in everyone’s collection.

Gorogoa (Switch eShop)

The Switch’s eShop is saturated with bucket loads of high-quality content. This is great in one way, of course, but stumbling across hidden gems within it will get tougher as time goes on. Gorogoa is one such gem; a puzzle game quite unlike any other that deserves your attention. It is a little on the short side, but the creativity that has been put into its design, and the effect it will have on you during your time exploring its gorgeous world, is something that you’ll want to experience. If you’re looking for something new to try, this would be an excellent choice.

Just Shapes & Beats (Switch eShop)

The sheer verve of Just Shapes & Beats is infectious. Self-described it as a ‘musical bullet hell’ game, bullets are the least of your worries – objects to evade range from simple Euclidean shapes to laser beams, spinning saws, spiralling tentacles and ocean waves made from EQ bars. True to its name, the elements are simple, but Berzerk Studio explores and executes on its modest premise with an exceptional level of polish. Challenge mode and the hectic multiplayer will keep you occupied after you’ve conquered the refreshingly breezy story. It's a celebratory explosion of the audio-visual in video games, showcasing chiptunes in their natural habitat. Headphones are essential for this one. Lovely.

Subsurface Circular (Switch eShop)

Subsurface Circular is a landmark moment in interactive storytelling. The elegance of its escalation is simply unmatched, as it tells a story that makes you feel like you’re in completely over your head, and yet still perfectly believable. The characters you meet along the way all feel unique with their own personality, which makes interacting with them a test of wit and cunning as you use the conversational mechanics to their full effect. There’s nothing quite else quite like Subsurface Circular (except its sequel, the equally wonderful Quarantine Circular), and when that uniqueness is combined with the phenomenal narrative at hand, you have all the ingredients for a simply unforgettable and very special journey aboard the subway.

Untitled Goose Game (Switch eShop)

Untitled Goose Game boasts more inventiveness, creativity and charm than the vast majority of titles on the Switch eShop, and offers a believable game world that's a real pleasure to explore, investigate and – of course – cause merry havoc in. Superb physics, excellent controls, surprisingly robust AI and unique presentation all combine to make this a real highlight in the Switch's library – a prime case of quality over quantity. Honk!