We’re arguably at the peak of
Switch roguelikes
right now, with a fresh procedurally generated treat seemingly hitting the eShop every other day.
As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the Nintendo Switch has become a veritable treasure trove for fans of roguelike games. The variety of titles available on this platform is nothing short of astonishing, and each one offers its own unique take on the genre.
Unlike many other game genres, roguelikes and roguelites naturally withstand the challenges of monotony due to their built-in design. In fact, they thrive on keeping repetition engaging.
The game is called by the name of the groundbreaking 1980 title, “Rogue.” It blended randomly-generated dungeons with a tough-as-nails permanent death mechanic, creating an experience where each try felt unique and significant, much like embarking on a new and impactful journey.
Games that follow in the footsteps of the classic Rogue design, featuring turn-based gameplay and combat mechanics, are often referred to as roguelikes. However, with time, there’s been a rise in games classified as roguelikes, where developers incorporate random level generation and permanent death elements into various gaming genres.
The ultimate list of Switch roguelike games
The Switch eShop is bursting at the seams with both. Indeed, Nintendo’s wondrous hybrid feels like the spiritual home of the roguelike / roguelite, with its inherent portability and indie-friendly nature.
1 Dead Cells
Moment by moment, there are not many roguelike platform games that match the delightful playability of Dead Cells. Its agile movement and battle mechanics stand out, while the abundance of weapons at your beckon is exhilarating. Mastering each move will make it as fluid as a Bach symphony, making progress rewarding. The action is swift and intense, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout.
2 Enter The Gungeon
In a nutshell, Enter The Gungeon stands out as one of the best twin-stick shooter games ever created. It throws you into various gun-centric dungeons and offers an endless array of eccentric weapons to use. Its pixelated yet charming graphics ensure clarity in every scene. The fast-paced action is reminiscent of older titles, providing a comfortable gaming experience for those who are more seasoned players. Despite its high difficulty level, you can finish the game fairly swiftly if you’re well-versed in its mechanics.
In our review of Enter the Gungeon, we highlighted that this game is an excellent choice for enthusiasts of shooter roguelike games on Nintendo Switch.
3 Hades
In the spotlight of the roguelike/roguelike genre, Hades stands out by blending compelling storytelling with its intricate, isometric dungeon-exploring gameplay. As the son of Hades, your task is to navigate the underworld, learning from each unsuccessful attempt. The gameplay is fluid, and every skill or spell you cast feels precise. With each enemy you defeat, a rush of adrenaline surges through you, making it hard to let go, even during end-game play. New abilities are unlocked with each run, offering you the chance to customize your gaming experience in numerous ways.
Hades is breathtakingly beautiful, and the story that initiates its gameplay is quite impressive as well. This title has earned a spot among our favorite roguelikes for the Nintendo Switch due to its exceptional quality.
4 Rogue Legacy
In the realm of contemporary Switch games belonging to the roguelike genre, Rogue Legacy stands out as a notable figure. In this game, you’ll be directing a fresh lineage of heroes on each playthrough, each carrying their unique traits and abilities. The narrative may seem conventional, but it’s not what will captivate you. Instead, you’re one of the royal heirs embarking on a quest to find a cure for your gravely wounded father, the king, who was struck down by an unidentified assassin. As you navigate through the accursed castle, you’ll face countless enemies and suffer numerous defeats. Indeed, Rogue Legacy is challenging, much like Dead Cells in its difficulty level.
Have you heard? We’ve got a review for Rogue Legacy too! If you’re excited to find out what makes this platforming extravaganza worth trying, take a look at our comprehensive review.
5 The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
Afterbirth+ is a highly engaging game that falls into both twin-stick shooter and dungeon crawler categories. What makes it stand out are its numerous special features and upgrades which can dramatically alter each playthrough. You’ll either find yourself hooked for hundreds of hours or losing interest quickly – there’s no middle ground here. Its addictive nature, satisfaction, and occasional frustration make it an exceptional game. With time, you’ll learn the boss patterns and item interactions, making the gameplay a bit smoother, I assure you.
Experiencing a rich connection between contemporary and classic games on your Nintendo Switch, as demonstrated by The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ review, is undeniably one of the richest and most rewarding experiences you can have.
6 Slay the Spire
Without a doubt, one of the most exceptional deck-building card games available and among the best roguelikes for Nintendo Switch is characterized by its tactical prowess. As you progress, construct an impressive deck of cards while navigating a randomly selected route towards the main antagonist. Essentially, you start with a single character, and you unlock additional characters each time you conquer the game. Although the concept isn’t overly complex, mastering it presents quite a challenge.
As a gamer, I can’t hide my excitement when it comes to this game. It’s got cards, it’s got brawls, and let me tell you, the action is insane! Isn’t that what draws us all to this genre? We were so hooked that we felt compelled to create a ranking system for the best cards in Slay the Spire. Plus, we’ve also shared our thoughts on who’s currently the top character in the game. Whether you’re new to the adventure or a seasoned player, these resources will undoubtedly come in handy.
7 Moonlighter
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about Moonlighter! This unique game combines the captivating dungeon exploration reminiscent of Zelda with an intriguing twist – instead of just fighting for loot, you get to decide its price and sell it in your very own shop. It’s a must-play experience, especially if you were captivated by the magic of Zelda years ago. After all, who doesn’t have fond memories of Zelda? Moonlighter promises an engaging adventure that blends the best elements of both worlds, making it a perfect choice for fans like us!
To discover more about it, don’t forget to check out our Moonlighter review. You’ll find all the essential information there.
8 Bad North
In simpler terms, Bad North reimagines the traditional real-time strategy format by making it more compact, borrowing elements from tower defense games, and integrating these aspects into a game that follows the rules of roguelike structures. This innovative blend results in an exceptionally strategic game set in a Norse theme.
It’s a stunning game. We know it, you know it, everybody knows it. And while we don’t have a review for them yet, we do have a couple of Bad North tips to help you master this Switch roguelike. That, and you’ve probably encountered it on our other lists as well because we love it so much.
9 Cadence of Hyrule
If you’ve experienced Crypt of the Necrodancer, you have an idea of what awaits. For those unfamiliar, prepare for something slightly unique. This isn’t your typical side-scrolling Zelda-like adventure; instead, it’s a Switch game that combines roguelike elements with rhythm action. It’s remarkable that Nintendo has granted permission to use the Zelda IP, considering their stringent policies. Given their notoriety for being strict, this is quite significant!
Don’t forget to check out our review for Cadence of Hyrule! It provides an insight into our take on the game, and helps you decide if it’s worth giving it a spin.
10 City of Brass
On Nintendo Switch, City of Brass showcases exceptionally well-executed first-person action. This encompasses an enticing whip technique that can either stun or knock over skeletal adversaries, allowing you to glide across its randomly generated, labyrinthine stages filled with traps. The visuals are vibrant and authentic, although the creators opted for a more cartoonish style.
As a gamer, I must admit, this game stands out from the crowd, leaving me pondering – could it be the next big thing? Personally, I find it impressive, but everyone has their own taste when it comes to gaming. In my review for City of Brass, I’ve placed it somewhere in the middle. You can gauge its strengths and weaknesses based on my perspective.
11 Risk of Rain 2
For thrilling, action-packed gaming experiences, Risk of Rain 2 stands out as an exceptional choice. In this game, your goal is to annihilate waves of enemies, ranging from common foes to formidable bosses. As you progress through levels, the monsters become increasingly dangerous, so it’s crucial to gather an array of items to boost your character’s abilities. The longer you take, the stronger the enemies become, raising the risk of your character’s demise. This is why timing your gameplay runs strategically is essential, as death forces a restart.
As I progress, I’m unveiling unique characters each with their distinct playstyles. What makes it even cooler is that this game allows cooperation, meaning when I stumble, there’s someone else to lean on and keep the adventure going together.
12 ScourgeBringer
A nimble and swift rogue-lite action-platformer game where you dart swiftly among targets at breakneck speed and agility. Played skillfully, your feet rarely touch the ground as you annihilate enemies with ease. From the moment you start playing, it exudes a powerful atmosphere that makes it one of the most exhilarating rogue-like experiences on Nintendo Switch.
Your amazingly swift ninja character is so fast, it might take your eyes a moment to catch up with the rapid-fire action on the screen. When you successfully navigate through several stages without getting hit, you’ll find yourself feeling like an expert, which is quite unusual for games of this type.
13 Dicey Dungeons
In a fresh twist for his latest venture, Terry Cavanagh combines a delightful roguelike game with elements from tactical RPGs and deck-building mechanics. While luck may play a part through the use of dice rolls, there are numerous strategies available to ensure success.
In terms of graphics and gameplay, there are many enjoyable aspects to Dicey Dungeons, with few drawbacks. This is a heartwarming game that excels in every aspect, and if you’re feeling particularly fortunate, you could roll something extraordinary. By the way, while Dicey Dungeons may appear adorable at first glance, it offers a level of strategy that might surprise you!
14 Void Bastards
Initially appearing as a single-player sci-fi shooter reminiscent of System Shock, Void Bastards actually transforms into a roguelike action game. It features unpredictable ‘dungeons’ and showcases a witty, distinctly British humor throughout its gameplay.
On a whimsical, cartoonish style reminiscent of comic books, this Switch roguelike shooter makes for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon blast against those pesky void creatures. But if you’re after a more laid-back gaming experience, there are other games that might suit your preference better.
15 Nuclear Throne
The twin-stick shooter developed by Vlambeer carries the brutal and unique charm that one would anticipate from its creators. Notable features are a variety of twelve individual characters to play as, dynamically changing levels, and scarcity of bullets.
Be sure to check out our review on The Nuclear Throne! This comprehensive analysis will provide you with a wealth of information about the game, enabling you to decide if it’s worth giving it a spin or not.
16 UnderMine
Instead of Undertale, there’s UnderMine, which follows a similar top-down style as The Binding of Isaac in roguelite games, but it offers a much lighter atmosphere. It also features a more extensive permanent upgrade system compared to its counterpart, and less emphasis on the use of “poop” (to clarify, this refers to excrement).
This game offers challenging boss battles, shopping areas, and numerous smaller features that make for an enjoyable adventure. It’s a dungeon crawler that you’re likely to develop a strong affection for right away. The artwork is one of my favorites, as it has a pixelated aesthetic but lacks the choppiness typically associated with such graphics; instead, everything feels smooth and fluid, giving it a slightly retro feel without being too overpowering. The controls are incredibly intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play. Overall, it’s an engaging roguelite that any fan of dungeon crawlers will appreciate.
17 Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos
Instead of asking ‘What if Zelda turned into a roguelike?’, let me tell you that Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos provides a compelling response to this concept. The game’s charming top-down exploration style aligns well with most expectations, and even its multiplayer aspect is executed effectively.
This pixelated style evokes a somewhat nostalgic, retro charm, similar to that of Zelda. However, it still feels modern and fresh, reminding us of the games we used to adore from the past. Does this explanation resonate with you?
All in all, it’s a more laid-back Switch roguelike game that you’ll need to add to your collection.
18 Darkest Dungeon
Indeed, Darkest Dungeon – a captivating side-scrolling RPG that seems to thrive on creating an atmosphere of despair. I wonder how many players it has left in sorrow… If you’re drawn to Lovecraftian mythos and enjoy the gravity of your choices, this roguelike might just be the one for you, my friend, though it may test your tolerance for melancholy.
For the brave adventurers seeking an exciting peek, we recommend checking out our Darkest Dungeon tier list. This guide will help you decide which characters to focus on and provide insight into their strengths. Additionally, we’ve written a review for the iOS version that offers a comprehensive understanding of the game. Darkest Dungeon stands among the top choices in its genre across all platforms, solidifying its place as one of the best roguelike games on Switch.
19 Galak-Z
An exceptional game combining elements of ’80s anime flair and space travel realism: a roguelike shooter. Navigate your mechanized warrior through treacherous asteroid belts, firing at enemies while enhancing your abilities.
This game is vibrant than you might imagine, and every special effect and explosion serves a single purpose – to immerse you in the genuine feeling of space combat. It does this effectively, so if you’re looking for an alternative roguelike game on Switch that takes place in space, Galak-Z is your best bet.
20 Curse of the Dead Gods
In simpler terms, “Curse of the Dead Gods” blends a dense dose of eerie Lovecraftian folklore into the roguelike gaming style, adding intense, close-combat action for good measure. This mix is quite powerful and engaging.
In a top-down action role-playing game style, Curse of the Dead Gods boasts immense potential and intensity that makes it a worthy addition to our recommended list. If you’re seeking an overlooked yet engaging and thrilling roguelike experience, this is definitely worth your time.
21 Crown Trick
As a passionate gamer, I must say that among the multitude of roguelites in the digital marketplace, Crown Trick stands out as a precious gem. Unlike its faster-paced counterparts, this game offers a refreshing, turn-based dungeon exploration experience. And to top it off, the intricate 2D sprite artistry adds a touch of elegance that truly makes it a delight to play.
The animations in this game are playfully odd yet delightful, and there’s just an abundance of praiseworthy aspects that make it hard to be fair. Crown Trick is visually stunning, offers smooth gameplay, and is certainly worth investing your time into. It may not offer the intense challenge found in games like Downwell or other hardcore roguelikes, but instead provides a more relaxed, enjoyable experience.
22 The Persistence
Originally developed as a virtual reality game, The Persistence on Switch offers an unexpected delight. It skillfully blends first-person action with nerve-wracking science fiction terror, while maintaining robust roguelike elements. In essence, it shares similarities with Doom Eternal, but on a more compact console and featuring fewer, somewhat less monster-like creatures.
As a horror enthusiast, I must admit that this title leans more towards the “jump-scare” side of things rather than building an overwhelming sense of dread. If sudden, shocking moments aren’t really your cup of tea, you might prefer exploring other terrifying tales instead.
23 Gods Will Fall
In this game, you lead a group of eight characters, each representing a life, through a roguelike dungeon adventure. They’re pitted against the capricious gods who torment them. Each character has unique abilities and combat styles in the hack-and-slash genre.
There is a lot to learn, and even more to discover. The graphics are also pretty good, mashing a smooth 3D approach with some slight minimalistic elements. The result – a fun-looking, yet intense action to everyone’s delight.
24 Into the Breach
One could contend that this game isn’t strictly a roguelike, but rather a turn-based strategy, however, upon closer inspection, it seems there’s some misconception. When you fail in “Into the Breach,” you restart from the beginning, thus negating any argument about its genre. In this game, you assume the role of mech warriors tasked with defending your territory from extraterrestrial invaders. The territory you protect is compact, resembling a chessboard and often shrinking due to earthquakes. The layout of the terrain and obstacles play crucial roles here, as you can manipulate enemies into oblivion by pushing or pulling them towards the void.
Although the graphics is pixelated, the artwork is very nice, and it will all be clear even on a small screen. Music is pumping the atmosphere, and you’ll love it right from the start. The game is very catchy, almost like its big brother FTL but is unfortunately not available on Nintendo Switch yet. But hey, Into the Breach is fun as well, try it out!
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2024-12-12 19:19