The Best Retro Games for Nintendo Switch

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Update 27 May 2025: Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo added at rank #49.

Here are our 10 Best Retro Games for Nintendo Switch, position 31 to 40:

Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope
Lords of Exile
The Karate Kid: Street Rumble
Prison City
Retro Revengers
Super Onion Boy 2
Stranger Things 3: The Game
Dungeonoid 2 Awakening
Taito Milestones 2
RedRaptor

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Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope (2020)

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Screenshot of Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope

wii u vita Playstation 4 Playstation 3 Linux Mac OS Nintendo Switch Nintendo 3DS PC Windows amazon fire tv

Embark on an epic quest in this 8-bit retro-style game as the eponymous Shovel Knight. Defeat villainous knights and earn riches to upgrade your armor and weapons as you uncover all the game's secrets. Shovel Knight bridges the gap between yesterday and today with modern touches, including engaging RPG elements and fun and engaging storyline. With co-op and challenge modes, Shovel Knight is a warm welcome to newcomers and veterans alike.

What we like:

Great gameplay with retro-style graphics
Challenging levels provide a sense of accomplishment
Engaging storyline
Good value for the price
Enjoyable RPG elements

What could be improved:

Controllers take some time to get used to
Difficulty level can be frustrating at times
No Plague of Shadows bundled with the game

platform
retro
boss
boss-fight

Lords of Exile (2024)

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Playstation 4 PC Windows Mac OS Xbox One Nintendo Switch

Embark on a quest for revenge in Lords of Exile, an 8-bit side-scrolling action platformer set in the far Lands of Exilia. With classic retro mechanics and linear level design in 8-bit graphics.

retro
2d
pixel
platform
1980s
dark
gore
anime
arcade
fantasy
endless
physics
war

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble (2024)

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Screenshot of The Karate Kid: Street Rumble

j PC Windows Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox One

Dominate the dojo in The Karate Kid: Street Rumble, a pixel art beat ‘em up adventure. Grab your friends for local co-op multiplayer and dive into the classic The Karate Kid journey with retro-style gameplay, dynamic combat, and epic boss battles.

side-scrolling
martial
retro
2d
beat-em-up
cooperative
brawler
chiptune
arts
scroller
1980s
fight
arcade
local
action

Prison City (2023)

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Nintendo Switch l Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows

Prison City is a dystopian, action-packed side-scroller with tight mechanics and intricate level design. Battle techno-terrorists with your chakram and grenades, eat hot dogs for health, and locate contacts to help take down bosses.

dystopian
retro
1990s
crime-ridden
1980s
platform
2d
post-apocalyptic
scroller
capitalism
side-scrolling
cinematic
sci-fi
pixel
action

Retro Revengers (2023)

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Xbox Series X Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Windows

A retro-style adventure platformer game, inspired by hits of the past and featuring wonderful music created by Manami Matsumae, will take you on an eventful journey through the diverse environmental stages to encourage you to save the world of retro gaming.

retro
2d
pixel
1990s
platform
arcade
scroller
action-adventure
old-school
comedy
colourful
anime

Super Onion Boy 2 (2021)

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

Super Onion Boy 2 is a 2D adventure game in retro style platformer. Defeat enemies on the way with the help of superpowers and epic transformations, collect coins and stars to earn extra lives, find chests with magic potions and defeat all the terrible bosses until you reach the final boss.

Buy

retro
2d
platform
magic
pixel
boss
mystery
adventure
controller-support
ninja
chiptune
old-school

Stranger Things 3: The Game (2019)

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Screenshot of Stranger Things 3: The Game

Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Mac OS

Explore through the world of the hit Netflix original series in the official game for Stranger Things 3!

cooperative
retro
local
1980s
split-screen
adventure
pixel
puzzle
action-adventure
isometric
horror
action
controller-support

Dungeonoid 2 Awakening (2024)

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PC Windows Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch j

Classic dungeon crawling gets a block-busting twist in Dungeonoid 2 Awakening, a top-down adventure presented in retro pixel art style!

classes
rpg
pixel
top-down
retro
arcade
dungeon-crawler
fantasy
action
2d
casual
family-friendly

Taito Milestones 2 (2023)

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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

10 entertaining classics from Taito’s history featuring various genres and themes. Also included: Solitary Fighter, The Legend of Kage, Liquid Kids and Dinorex.

Buy