The Best 2D Games for Nintendo Switch

Update : Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary added at rank #26.
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 Playstation 5 Playstation 4

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

Heian City Story (2024)

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95
Review score
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IOS iPhone PC Windows Android Nintendo Switch

A city-building sim with a historical twist


  • city-building
  • 2.5d
  • effects-strategy
  • 2d
  • pixel
  • building
  • simulation
  • casual
  • colourful
  • top-down
  • cute
  • strategy
  • platform
  • historical
  • demons

3

KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT (2024)

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88
Review score
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Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

A cat with the body of a bodybuilder fights against aliens in this 2D platformer with anime aesthetics.


  • anime
  • platform
  • comic
  • 2d
  • 2.5d
  • scroller
  • cartoony
  • book
  • action-adventure
  • hand-drawn
  • metroidvania
  • arts
  • aliens
  • colourful
  • hack-and-slash

4

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

5

Gradius Origins (2025)

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81
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X/s

Salamander III is the newest addition to the Gradius series, a legendary pioneer in the side-scrolling shooter genre, and comes with the original arcade versions of the previous games.


  • arcade
  • shooter
  • scrolling
  • 2d
  • compilation
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • retro
  • spin-off
  • platform
  • boss
  • shoot-em-up
  • pixel
  • space
  • vertical

6

King of the Hat (2023)

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97
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch

A 2D party platformer where you fight with a hat! Throw your hat to attack, defend and bait opponents. But watch out! If someone jumps on your hat... you die!

Buy

  • party
  • 2d
  • competitive
  • memes
  • local
  • cooperative
  • 4-player
  • fast-paced
  • multiplayer
  • family-friendly
  • funny
  • cartoony
  • platform
  • fight
  • pixel

7

Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey (2024)

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81
Review score
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Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One

If Twin Breaker was a brick breaker about space, Tri Breaker is a brick breaker on steroids, and this go-around, it’s all about time. Explore 40 stages spread across periods of galactic history, and obliterate the brick-breaking formula.


  • retro-fueled
  • retro
  • 1980s
  • pixel
  • arcade
  • casual
  • 2d
  • pinball
  • boss-fight
  • ball-and-paddle
  • chiptune
  • action
  • goal-driven
  • narrative
  • multi-stage

8

Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age (2024)

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84
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch

Diesel Legacy is a 2v2 fighting game where four players battle on the same stage at the same time. This unique twist on the traditional fighting game formula adds an entirely new layer of strategy where cooperation will become the key to success.


  • steampunk
  • hand-drawn
  • 4-player
  • fight
  • 2d
  • spectacle
  • pvp
  • team
  • futuristic
  • dystopian
  • cinematic
  • local
  • arcade
  • retro
  • simultaneously!step

9

Castlevania DominuS Collection (2024)

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90
Review score
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Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Three incredible action adventure games from the Castlevania series have finally returned, for the first time! But wait, there's more! Haunted Castle Revisited, a redesigned version of the very first Castlevania arcade game, makes its debut!


  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • pixel
  • rpg
  • vampire
  • action-adventure
  • action
  • exploration
  • 2d
  • dark
  • remake
  • compilation
  • arcade
  • piracy
  • time-consuming

10

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

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