Fresh off a partner showcase direct, Nintendo streamed another presentation this week dedicated to upcoming indie titles. Indie World Showcase revealed a slew of games featuring life sims, metroidvanias and…cleaning the house? Here’s everything that was covered:
Mina the Hollower Headed to the Switch 2
Earlier this year Yacht Club Games revealed they’ve been working on something other than more Shovel Knight content, namely Mina the Hollower. The isometric action-adventure game follows a mouse named Mina investigating a mysterious island against a Victorian-esque backdrop. Yacht Club’s second original title marked the start of the Indie World Showcase, with an announcement of a demo and the game’s release date of October 31st. The game will be available on both the Switch and Switch 2.
Well Dweller Shows a Dark, Fairy-Tale Metroidvania
It’s only appropriate we’d see at least one metroidvania on a Nintendo console right? Kyle Thompson (creator of SHEEPO, Islets, and Crypt Custodian) and Top Hat delivers that in the form of Well Dweller, where players take control of a bird called Glimmer. Armed with a matchstick, Glimmer will traverse a world full of macabre creatures to battle an evil queen and save bird-kind. The game is launching on the Nintendo Switch in 2026.
Neverway Presents a Less-Cozy Life Sim
Do you find Stardew Valley too relaxing? Neverway presents a change of pace from the usual cottagecore experience. Blending horror, action, and RPG elements, the game follows a woman named Fiona who becomes the herald of a dead god after quitting her job and moving to a farm. The game promises all the fixings of a life sim, like farming, fishing and NPC relationships, but also includes fast-paced, customizable combat. The game will land on the Switch in 2026.
Shepard a Group of Mysterious Creatures in Herdling
From Okomotive, the makers of Far, comes Herdling. As the name implies, the game is about managing a herd of strange creatures called Calicorns as you guide them to the summit of a mountain. Along the way, players will watch their herd grow, solve environmental puzzles, and handle stampede sequences in this wordless story. Pre-orders are available for the game’s August 21st launch on the Switch.
Hope You’re Seated for this Puzzle Game
Do you get social anxiety based purely on where you’re seated in public? Is This Seat Taken won’t solve your problems as an introvert, but at least you’ll have something to relate to. The puzzle game will see players choose the best seating assignments for groups of people based on their preferences. From airplanes to restaurants to concerts, you’ll unlock new scenarios as you complete more and more puzzles. And if you’re anxious about the release date, don’t worry! The game just launched today on the Switch, so you can get to seating right away. Unless you prefer to stand.
Update for Little Kitty, Big City
For the cat people out there, Little Kitty, Big City announced an update coming later this year. The upcoming cat customizer will let players change the look of their feline friend, and new areas will be available to explore. There will also be new skills to learn, and more options for photo mode. Just don’t neglect your actual cat when playing the game.
Imperil Yourself for Online Views in Content Warning
While you may not be willing to risk life and limb for social media views, you and three friends can pretend to in Content Warning. The co-op game, which launched earlier this year on other platforms, sees the players explore creepy, abandoned locales in pursuit of digital clout. Film otherworldly creatures and try not to die before you can make some ad revenue. The game will make its way to the Switch 2 in 2026.
Relieve Gym Class Trauma in BALL X PIT
Developer Kenny Sun (who, in the presentation, had a piece of fruit on his head for some reason) introduced BALL X PIT, a roguelike inspired by games like Holedown, Vampire Survivors, and Loop Hero. The game sees players battle through auto scrolling levels with brick-breaking style gameplay, as they work to rebuild the city of New Ballbylon. The game launches on October 15th for the Switch and Switch 2. Make sure to watch Dodgeball before playing this one.
Race to the Finish in Ultimate Sheep Raccoon
Remember Happy Wheels? Looking for something slightly less bloody? Ultimate Sheep Raccoon is a 2D party game promising exactly that. Race friends and build the courses together in local, online, and cross-platform play supporting up to eight players. The game will launch on the Switch and Switch 2 this winter.
Explore the Seas of a Frozen Earth in Glaciered
What would an ice-covered Earth look like 65 million years in the future? Studio Snowblind offers one answer in Glaciered. The third person action game will have gamers take control of a Tuai, an aquatic species descended from avians. They will fight against forces which threaten the Everwinter in real-time combat while levelling up different traits for a dynamic gameplay experience. The game will launch as a timed exclusive for the Switch 2 this holiday season.
All of the Rest
While the games above took up the majority of the time, Nintendo also gave mentions to several other games headed to Switch consoles. On September 17th, Stange Antiques will let players manage a store full of occult (and probably cursed) artifacts. Fall also brings OPUS: Prism Peak, a narrative game starring a photographer caught outside reality. October will see Undusted: Letters from the Past provide a sensory experience as players clean objects in a long-neglected house. Arriving this winter is (appropriately) Winter Burrow, a cozy life sim that sees a mouse restoring their childhood home. Around the same time the Switch will get Caves of Qud, the popular procedurally-generated roguelike reminiscent of Dwarf Fortress. Further out is Go-Go Town, a city builder with a chibi art style coming spring 2026. All games will be available for the Switch, and OPUS will be on the Switch and Switch 2.
For those looking to play something a bit sooner, two games are releasing on the Switch store today. Tiny Bookshop, will have you run a seaside bookstore while getting to know the locals of your town. And UFO 50 is a compilation of 50 games mixing a variety of genres in an 8-bit aesthetic.
Nintendo is certainly giving indie developers plenty of attention. Even those taking umbrage with the $79.99 price on first party titles have to admit, Switch players won’t be starved for choice anytime soon. For more Nintendo coverage, check back regularly with our Other Games section.
