It is Halloween / All Hallows' Eve / mild vandalism night as we publish this, a rather fun occasion in which dressing up and eating an unhealthy amount of sweets / candy is not only allowed, it's practically mandatory. Of course, it's all about spooky experiences, or alternatively finding something suitably themed that won't necessarily scare you out of your wits. We all have our preferences.
In any case we recently shared a list of 3DS games that are perfect for Halloween, but now we move onto the Nintendo Switch. The system now has over 200 games available (yes, it really does!) and, actually, it wasn't that hard to find ten that are ideal for dark, spooky nights.
Yeah, this one's in there because a lot of Switch owners will still be hunting Power Moons, and so it had to be mentioned. It's not completely without connections to the occasion, though. Mario can acquire a whole lot of outfits to wear, so that's one. On top of that Cappy and Mario go around possessing dozens of creatures and objects, which is quite creepy when you think about it.
This 'rhythm violence' game is a bit of a favourite in Nintendo Life Towers, even if the difficulty of later levels can cause impressive tantrums. Fantastic music and fast-paced gameplay drives an aesthetic that is undeniably monstrous at times, but can also be strangely attractive.
Oxenfree's uncommonly palpable eeriness is filtered through a story of possessed teens and glitches in time, loops in reality that see a group of high-schoolers try to survive a night stranded on an island that isn’t quite as deserted as they believed. To dive into the particulars is to spoil a wealth of surprises, a raft of compelling beats that resonate with genre originality, that keep coming on a second playthrough – and even then, you might meet the credits with unanswered questions.
An experience designed to make you laugh rather than scare you witless, this revival of the golden era of LucasArts-style point-and-click gaming does have its eerie touches along with a humorous ghost in the form of a character's father. Perfect for a silly Halloween.
Possibly one of the oddest and creepiest video games of the year. Its unique art style drives a premise in which you fight a highly evolved poo - for example - and puzzle your way out of some truly ghastly scenarios. Smart and creative in its visual and storytelling approach, it's a downright weird experience that we certainly recommend.
A recent gem from WayForward that reminds us of the often-overlooked Aliens: Infestationon DS. A run and gun game in some respects, but also a Metroidvania that requires careful exploration and a cautious approach. Gorgeous visuals, cool music and a mechanic where death means hunting down your own zombie - yep, we think it suits the season well.
We suspect many reading this page own at least one copy of this game, with 'Treasure Trove' being the all-in version. It proved to be a popular early release on the Switch and is well worth consideration for anyone yet to jump in - there's a lot of fantastic action platforming on offer across multiple campaigns, and all of the strange foes, skeletons and themes will get you in the Halloween mood.
A critically acclaimed Metroidvania title, this has fantastic visual and audio design while blending old-school mechanics with innovative ideas. It puts glitches at the heart of its concept, adding a unique spin on proceedings that ensures it lingers in the memory once the credits have rolled.
A game controversial enough to be rejected by Nintendo in a previous form, it's now available on Switch in its latest iteration. You direct Isaac through multiple floors, fighting some horrific enemies with your own tears and more besides. Disturbing, creepy, difficult and downright addictive, this one has a legion of loyal fans for good reason.
A smart and interesting game from Drinkbox Studios, it's played with the Switch in portable mode in order to make use of its touchscreen. Combat is all about skilfully and strategically severing the limbs and body parts of assorted creepy foes, while also levelling up your abilities and exploring various rooms and areas. Also available on Wii U and 3DS, we're big fans of this one.
There you have it, ten highly rated Switch games that we think are well worth some playtime on the spookiest night of the year; also worth a mention are Perception, which looks like an interesting new arrival, and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle's 'Spooky Trails' area (which inspired the lead image for the article).
Will you be playing any video games this All Hallows' Eve?
Tom has been involved in the games industry for over a decade, mostly writing about it or struggling to sell Indie games. Loves reading, writing, hunting Capcom’s fiercest monsters and watching baseball.
Well 2 if you count Zelda BotW. 3 if you count MK8. 4 if you count Skylanders. Is Skyrim part of that 200 yet?
Great, now I feel the need to read the whole list just because.
One if the downsides of adulthood on Halloween, giving out candy rather than playing games. Maybe Nintendo needs a Switch commercial with Karen playing on Switch while she's answers the doorbell handing out candy, dressed in a wedding dress as Princess Peach.
What about Don't Knock Twice? I don't know if it is a good game or not, since I haven't bought/played it but enough people seem to have bought it for it to appear on the eshop best seller list...
Oxenfree is tops for me for Halloween game of this year...
Tried to play Bulb Boy again. Since there was a bug letting an item disappear in one of the first stages, I stopped playing confusedly. We made it through that level and in the next one we suddenly weren't able to hide in the bin anymore. We stopped playing angrily. Seriously, I usually don't bother about minor bugs, but if they appear that often and you have to restart the level because of stuff like that and hope the error disappears, I do. Anyone else having issues with this game? Does it become better? I wanted to like it.
Thimbleweed Park was pretty good so far. I stopped playing in front of the factory, because I became a little tired of it, though. I like the variety of characters, but sometimes it makes it a little hard to tell who should do what next. I also like the in-game-hint-system, but I started using it quite often because of the above, so I feel a little dirty now and am equally too lazy to return and figure things out by myself and too proud to look it up again. Maybe I am not patient enough anymore for Point and Click games.
I feel The Count Lucanor deserves a mention. In fact I think it may be the most successful creepy horror game of the bunch.
I'm kind of offended that Axiom Verge and Shovel Knight got nods instead, I don't see how anyone could be satisfied playing those for spooky considerations. I would rather even play something like Butcher on Halloween night, myself.
Mario + Rabbids "Spooky Trails" world is one of the most well-constructed haunted levels in any Mario game. Game art appears at the top of the story... but it is not one of the listed games. I has confuse.
Thumper is something else on the Vive. SMO shouldn't have been on this list, but I guess almost every Switch user will be playing it through Halloween anyways.
Oxenfree is probably the most deserving game here for a Halloween playthrough - played an hour last night, and can't wait to see more of the story. Great game, with a nicely eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
But Cappy is a ghost hat that possesses people. C'mon - that's the stuff of nightmares.
'Halloween game' or not, Super Mario Odyssey is all I care to be playing right now. And like the article states, there are a lot of different outfits Mario can use.
Completely overlooked LEGO Worlds, with its nighttime attackers and recently released Monsters dlc - probably the most appropriate game of the lot - because this site hates LEGO Worlds for some reason.
Comments 38
Some great games there, although.........half of them are ports.
Binding of Isaac and Shovel knight all the way!!
Still waiting on Axiom Verge Physical.
@Aurumonado Do you know when the physical copy is going to be released?
200? I'm impressed. We only own 1 though.
Well 2 if you count Zelda BotW.
3 if you count MK8.
4 if you count Skylanders.
Is Skyrim part of that 200 yet?
Great, now I feel the need to read the whole list just because.
One if the downsides of adulthood on Halloween, giving out candy rather than playing games. Maybe Nintendo needs a Switch commercial with Karen playing on Switch while she's answers the doorbell handing out candy, dressed in a wedding dress as Princess Peach.
I'm actually playing Akoumojo Kid Dracula and SD Splatterhouse. Never played either before and just recently hacked my NES mini.
You know the Switch is a new console with a pretty small library when Mario Odyssey gets listed as a Halloween game.
Party Golf is the best Halloween game because it's fun!
@Aurumonado That'll likely be my last physical Wii U purchase.
What about Don't Knock Twice? I don't know if it is a good game or not, since I haven't bought/played it but enough people seem to have bought it for it to appear on the eshop best seller list...
Oxenfree is tops for me for Halloween game of this year...
@KirbyTheVampire - It's because you're possessing things in the game, ffs.
What about Don’t Knock Twice? Unless it’s terrible, of course...I’ve not seen any reviews.
[edit] oops, just seen the comment above!
Regardless of the proximity of Hallowe’en and its appropriateness thereto, people should be playing Odyssey anyway. It’s that good.
You forgot Golf Story with its Halloween-themed Oak Manor course.
@ExoticSquidy32 I got an email from the place I ordered last Thursday that it was postponed until January 26 (Europe).
Why didn’t they mention any of the horror games out on Switch?
@senshu I can see that.
Tried to play Bulb Boy again. Since there was a bug letting an item disappear in one of the first stages, I stopped playing confusedly. We made it through that level and in the next one we suddenly weren't able to hide in the bin anymore. We stopped playing angrily.
Seriously, I usually don't bother about minor bugs, but if they appear that often and you have to restart the level because of stuff like that and hope the error disappears, I do. Anyone else having issues with this game? Does it become better?
I wanted to like it.
Thimbleweed Park was pretty good so far. I stopped playing in front of the factory, because I became a little tired of it, though. I like the variety of characters, but sometimes it makes it a little hard to tell who should do what next.
I also like the in-game-hint-system, but I started using it quite often because of the above, so I feel a little dirty now and am equally too lazy to return and figure things out by myself and too proud to look it up again.
Maybe I am not patient enough anymore for Point and Click games.
I feel The Count Lucanor deserves a mention. In fact I think it may be the most successful creepy horror game of the bunch.
I'm kind of offended that Axiom Verge and Shovel Knight got nods instead, I don't see how anyone could be satisfied playing those for spooky considerations. I would rather even play something like Butcher on Halloween night, myself.
Totally forgot I'd picked up Binding of Isaac physically. Might have to give it a whirl this evening.
@Sinton Thanks
Mario + Rabbids "Spooky Trails" world is one of the most well-constructed haunted levels in any Mario game. Game art appears at the top of the story... but it is not one of the listed games. I has confuse.
Thumper absolutely, that game haunted me for days after i finished it
@KirbyTheVampire Exactly. Why the had to shoehorn the game on a Halloween list? Because it was recently released?
This speaks volumes of the NL staff integrity, IMHO.
Thumper is something else on the Vive. SMO shouldn't have been on this list, but I guess almost every Switch user will be playing it through Halloween anyways.
What about Trivia Murder Party in Jackbox 3??
Botw has the spooky lost woods. And all kinds of monsters. But nothing is scarier than a dropped player in Splatoon 2 ranked mode.
Oxenfree is probably the most deserving game here for a Halloween playthrough - played an hour last night, and can't wait to see more of the story. Great game, with a nicely eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
But Cappy is a ghost hat that possesses people. C'mon - that's the stuff of nightmares.
I was like wait Mario?? Ok ok Explanation accepted! 😃
I did make a special effort to head back to the Cap Kingdom since it's Halloween today. It feels so Burtonesque, I love it.
@Tiefseemiez Bulb Boy has been patched since the release. It might work better for you now.
'Halloween game' or not, Super Mario Odyssey is all I care to be playing right now. And like the article states, there are a lot of different outfits Mario can use.
@yeayeanaynay Oh yes, I really hope to see a Luigi's Mansion 3 on the Switch, love the gameplay and animations, so immersive.
@techdude I heard Don't Knock Twice is really buggy and the frames can drop below 20. So I'd skip it.
Bulbboy, Oxenfree, severed, thumbleweed, the mummy and The binding of Issac are the only ones Halloween related.
I'd like to see Mario+Rabbids in the actual list as well. After all, 25% of the game is in a brilliant spooky world.
Completely overlooked LEGO Worlds, with its nighttime attackers and recently released Monsters dlc - probably the most appropriate game of the lot - because this site hates LEGO Worlds for some reason.
Count lucanor is the best one this Halloween
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