Despite Nintendo’s familiar image, anyone who’s played a lot with the company’s output can tell you that while Nintendo games may start out bland, colorful, and welcoming, you’re going to need all the hugs and fluff you can get. when entering the end of the game. with the challenge increasing considerably in the last quarter, especially if you’re looking for every last secret.
Obviously this does not apply to all, but for a company known for its multicolored hardware offerings and cute, cuddly character design, it certainly knows how to up the ante in the difficulty department when appropriate. Throw in a bunch of relentless third-party and indie classics, and the Switch boasts some of gaming’s toughest challenges, yours to conquer on the bus or in the swamp (or, you know, on TV).
In the list below, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest challenges on console – the hardest Switch games available. Our only criteria other than asking players a lot was that the games had to be good, no, great. Anyone can do something difficult; it’s getting you to go back and try, try, try again, which distinguishes great game design from trolling. All the games below are super challenging, but also fair. Persevere and your effort Will be rewarded!
So, let’s take a look, in no particular order, at some of the hardest games on Switch…
Editor: bandai namco / Developer: Of software
Let’s eliminate the most obvious entry first, okay? Dark Souls: Remastered is a faithful remastering of a touchstone in video game design that improves on the overall performance of the original release while retaining all of the character traits that made it such a memorable experience. While no less forgiving and its menus a bit fiddly, this nifty iteration of the Nintendo Switch offers a great way to experience Lordran’s ultra-challenging odyssey in true portable form.
It can be challenging, but Dark Souls is a very fair game. Learn their systems, scan their areas, and approach with caution, and you will ultimately succeed. However, he stumbles into enemy encounters in a wing and a sentence, even against low-level enemies he’s beaten dozens of times before, and his first mistake will be mercilessly punished.
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Editor: StudyMDHR / Developer: StudyMDHR
A run-and-gun boss fighter dressed like a 1930s Fleischer or Disney animated short, Cuphead is a visually stunning, audibly charming, and incredibly difficult game. Its focus on intense boss battles won’t be to everyone’s taste, especially if you somehow come to the game expecting a cartoony, animated platformer, but as long as you know what you’re getting into, we can’t recommend it highly enough.
Editor: mouth of moss / Developer: mouth of moss
Many years after its debut, Spelunky still has all the fundamentals in place and is still a great entry in the roguelike genre. Solid gameplay, lots of secrets, and an addictive gameplay loop make it an easy game to recommend, though prepare to die. much before you really “get it”. Whatever your tolerance for difficulty, this indie classic proved to be a great option for the Switch, and its sequel is just as good, if not somewhat. better. Feel free to jump right into that one if you only have room for one Spelunky in your life. You know, if you don’t like challenges and want to skip a classic and take the easy exit.*
* Jokes! Play the games you love on the difficulty settings that make you happy. They are just games. Thanks.
Editor: NIS America / Developer: Nigoro
The original La-Mulana was a masterpiece in its own right, but we’d argue it’s been outclassed by the sequel, a mind-numbingly difficult, utterly puzzling, expertly paced adventure that constantly invites you to explore deeper and familiarize yourself with its unique charms. The Mulana 2 definitely It’s not for everyone, if you consider yourself an impatient or clumsy player stay away, but those who put in the time and effort to crack this nut will be deeply glad they did.
And if that’s not enough for you, you can always go back and polish the original too. Same for Spelunky.
Editor: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Metroid Dread was a triumphant return for both Samus Aran and developer MercurySteam, a super-slick, hugely entertaining and exquisitely crafted entry into the Metroid franchise that plays better than anything we’ve seen from the series thus far. It’s also a tough cookie, with punishing bosses and cleverly devious level design that demands a lot from you, especially after the relative linearity of Metroid Fusion, the previous entry in the 2D Metroid series.
Editor: team cherry / Developer: team cherry
Hollow Knight’s beautiful 2D world, tactile combat, and impressive number of secrets constantly draw you in for more and help you persevere when the going gets tough, which it often does. In an eShop packed with the highest quality indie games, Hollow Knight is one of the best; a big, beautiful and foreboding Metroidvania that is absolutely packed with detail and difficulty. From its shocking combat system to its charming art and sound design, this remains one of the best adventures you can have on Nintendo Switch.
Editor: matt makes games / Developer: matt makes games
Celeste is an exemplary amalgamation of style, mechanics, and character. A devilishly brilliant action platformer with enough skill to excite genre purists and the speed-running community, it also caters to audiences that aren’t the most hardcore gamers. It features a literal (well, digital at least) mountain for you to climb and conquer, with an art style and narrative that help you overcome the challenges the game presents.
Editor: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Okay, okay, what’s this doing here? Well, for an example of a Nintendo game that starts off simple and ramps things up in its final section, look no further than Super Mario 3D World.
Specifically, we spent several nights trying to beat the final level on Wii U, so much so that it is etched in our memories as one of the biggest video game challenges we’ve overcome in the last decade. Maybe we were just having a bad day. off week. Maybe we’re just scarred and emotionally drained and it’s really not that bad. However, watch the video below and tell us this isn’t terribly difficult…
Dark Souls was nothing compared to that. Claims to the usual address.
Editor: Red Hook Studies / Developer: Red Hook Studies
With a title like that, you’d be disappointed if this dungeon turned out to be a walk in the park, wouldn’t you? Darkest Dungeon has always been an RPG that finds ways to make life uncomfortable for the player, and this Switch version managed to add a couple of usability issues to that list. However, it’s still an overwhelmingly deep and utterly absorbing dungeon crawler that will swallow you up for hours.
Editor: Hempuli / Developer: Hempuli
Baba Is You is like a compilation of gift shop puzzles; They’re not for everyone, but some people just can’t get enough of them. One of the most unique puzzles you can find on Switch, we encourage you to break its rules and create your own, which makes for a refreshingly unique experience, albeit a difficult one if your brain isn’t weird that way. Its sudden spike in difficulty and lack of a hint system could easily put you off, but if you enjoy a good brain challenge, Slime’s riddles are a joy to get lost in.
