The Best 2D Games for Nintendo Switch

Update : Saviorless added at rank #10.
1

Anomaly Agent (2024)

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89
Review score
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Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch j

Step into the neon-soaked shoes of Agent 70 in 'Anomaly Agent,' a thrilling ride through a cyberpunk world beset by anomalies. Arm yourself with a collection of anomaly weapons and unleash mayhem with fluid combat that blends shooting, melee, and acrobatics. Shape the story with your actions, explore a rich narrative, and face off against uniquely challenging bosses. It's a sci-fi adventure filled with action, choice, and style!


What we like:
  • Innovative combat system blending melee and ranged attacks
  • Engaging story with meaningful choices
  • Unique and challenging boss fights
  • Rich, cyberpunk aesthetic with a captivating soundtrack
  • Customizable gameplay with character upgrades
What could be improved:
  • Steep initial difficulty curve
  • Some sections have frustrating platforming

  • cyberpunk
  • 2d
  • platform
  • pixel
  • scroller
  • action-adventure
  • sci-fi
  • action
  • fight
  • hack-and-slash
  • boss
  • conversation
  • choices
  • boss-fight
  • brawler

2

Kalinur (2023)

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97
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One

Defeat the mage Kalinur and bring peace back to the kingdom in this mini metroidvania with a lot of action.

Buy

  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • swordplay
  • retro
  • fantasy
  • platform
  • demons
  • pixel
  • dark
  • adventure
  • exploration
  • medieval
  • action
  • nonlinear

3

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef (2022)

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76
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is a side-scrolling shooter with a generous helping of verticality, wherein you play as a gleeful greenskin seeking revenge after being wronged by his boss. You'll trek across the surface of Luteus prime, encountering native Orks and cutting through them on your mission with all manner of ramshackle munitions at your disposal. Plus, its price point does wonders for forgiving that it isn't an 18-hour epic adventure.


What we like:
  • Generous checkpoints and gun store
  • Variety of denizens to oppose you
  • Colossal combatant bosses lifted from the Warhammer 40
  • 000 universe
  • Up to four players in its co-op space
  • Unique abilities and passive bonuses to change gameplay experience
What could be improved:
  • Short game length (2 hours)
  • Abundant load screens

  • shooter
  • twin-stick
  • 2d
  • warhammer-40k
  • cooperative
  • platform
  • pvp
  • boss-fight
  • boss
  • cartoony
  • beat-em-up
  • bullet-hell
  • hand-drawn
  • scroller
  • side-scrolling

4

Katana ZERO (2019)

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97
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Mac OS Nintendo Switch

Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.

Buy

  • platform
  • 2d
  • pixel
  • cyberpunk
  • assassin
  • violent
  • instant-death
  • manipulation
  • time
  • hack-and-slash
  • story
  • action
  • ninja
  • fast-paced
  • gore

5

Ghost Song (2022)

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78
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One

In Ghost Song, discover the secrets of the mysterious moon of Lorian while battling strange creatures and customizing your battlesuit. With stunning 2D graphics and a haunting story, Ghost Song is an adventure game you can't miss.


What we like:
  • Beautifully crafted game with eerie atmosphere
  • Unique paths to explore and interesting boss fights
  • Good dialogue and compelling story
  • Fluid and fun combat with unique modification combos and weapons
  • Moving main character with personal stories
What could be improved:
  • Excessive backtracking and frustration without enough fast travel locations
  • Limited replayability and short-lived experience
  • Some creative decisions fall flat
  • Nearly non-existent story that lacks item description
  • Lack of depth and tactics in combat, and poor damage output

  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • platform
  • boss
  • hand-drawn
  • sci-fi
  • atmospheric
  • scroller
  • exploration
  • boss-fight
  • metroid
  • horror
  • dark
  • robots
  • controller-support

6

Donut Dodo (2022)

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89
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows

If a long lost arcade game from 1983 resurfaced today, it would be Donut Dodo - a classic 2D platformer from the golden era, tough as nails and challenging for the whole family! Ready to top the high score table?


  • arcade
  • attack
  • score
  • 2d
  • 1980s
  • platform
  • chiptune
  • linear
  • funny
  • retro
  • cartoony
  • old-school
  • pixel
  • action
  • sprite-work

7

Nuclear Blaze (2021)

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87
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

Nuclear Blaze is a unique 2D firefighting game from the creator of Dead Cells, with all the devastating backdrafts, exploding walls and sprinklers you could expect. Fight your way through a mysterious facility and try to keep the blaze under control.


  • platform
  • 2d
  • action-adventure
  • mystery
  • scroller
  • exploration
  • atmospheric
  • pixel
  • colourful
  • rogue-like
  • action
  • investigation
  • full-blown

8

Nocturnal (2023)

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76
Review score
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Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Android Playstation 4

After years of traveling, Ardeshir finds his native island covered in a mysterious fog. Carve your way with fire and steel to find out what happened to your people in this action-platformer game. You’re the only one who can discover the secrets that lie beyond the Mist.

Buy

  • platform
  • scroller
  • soundtrack
  • 2d
  • linear
  • narration
  • action-adventure
  • mystery
  • hand-drawn
  • dark
  • puzzle
  • demons
  • exploration
  • combat
  • eroge

9

Beeny (2022)

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91
Review score
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IOS iPhone Android PC Windows Nintendo Switch

A vertical 2D platformer featuring a round bee in an early 90s prerendered environment.


  • platform
  • 2d
  • precision
  • 1990s
  • cartoony
  • colourful
  • vertical
  • nature
  • dark
  • cute
  • atmospheric
  • old-school

10

Saviorless (2024)

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84
Review score
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Linux Mac OS Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 PC Windows j

Saviorless is a stylish dark fantasy action-platform game. Features two distinctive main characters on their quest to escape from a cursed land known as the Smiling Islands.


  • platform
  • hand-drawn
  • 2d
  • fantasy
  • dark
  • narration
  • hack-and-slash
  • conversation
  • surreal
  • atmospheric
  • stylized
  • self-narration
  • narrative
  • puzzle
  • multiple-endings

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