
The Nintendo Switch has a huge library of games, from first-party exclusives to hidden gems you’ve somehow spent years missing. If you’re on the hunt for your next game, but you want to stick to a budget (perhaps you need something to tide you over before Nintendo’s next big release), then these titles are what you’re looking for.
While not a single one of these games will cost you more than $15, they’ll give you a great experience nonetheless, whether you prefer to play in docked mode or on the go. There’s everything from RPGs to horror to rhythm here, so you’re bound to find a bargain that interests you.
Kirby’s Dream Buffet
Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a fun-filled multiplayer game for up to four friends — you’ll each control a Kirby and take on various food-themed minigames and game modes, aiming to eat the most delicious treats. Use Copy Food Abilities to take out your enemies and be the Kirby that eats the most.
You can play locally or online, so you can have some Kirby-themed fun no matter where your pals are in the world. Kirby’s Dream Buffet would be a great addition to a family game night, or a lighthearted way to spend an evening with friends.
Blanc – $14.99
Blanc is a sweet two-player game about the story of a wolf cub and a fawn who each gets separated from their families. You and a second player can help the two animals find their way back to their families, working together and assisting other animals on the way.
Though Blanc is a short game and can be completed in just one or two play sessions, the black-and-white graphics are beautiful, and the bond between the wolf cub and the fawn is a joy to behold.
Undertale – $14.88
Undertale is a beloved indie RPG that follows the protagonist, Frisk, who has fallen into the Underground. On their journey back to the surface, they encounter various creatures and characters, who you’ll have the choice to fight or spare.
You’ll explore a rich world and traverse through towns, caves, and many more intriguing places, and solve a number of puzzles along the way. The ending of the game is heavily dependent on your choices, and the overall story is one that will stick with you forever. This game is well-loved for a reason, and one best played with as little prior knowledge as possible.
Cozy Grove – $14.99
Cozy Grove isn’t just another casual life sim — this time, the island you’re fixing up is haunted. Don’t worry though: the local spirits are nice. You play as a Spirit Scout and explore the island each day, mining its resources and completing tasks for the spirits who have taken up residence there.
The game plays out in real-time, and provides you with around an hour of new content to sink your teeth into each day. If you’ve got a busy schedule and need a relaxing game to dip into every now and then (or to be spirited away to), Cozy Grove is a good choice.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition – $14.99
Based on the Scott Pilgrim comic book series, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up that wears its 2D arcade inspiration on its sleeve. You can play as various characters from the cast, including the titular Scott Pilgrim himself, as well as Ramona, Knives, and more.
You’ll battle your way through hordes of enemies, unlocking new items and allies as you progress. The Complete Edition comes with the added bonus of included DLC — you’ll also have access to the Knives Chau and Wallace Add-On Packs, which add new game modes and online multiplayer.
The Excavation Of Hob’s Barrow – $14.99
The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a point-and-click game that takes you to dreary Victorian England, where you’ll investigate the mysteries surrounding Hob’s Barrow. The haunting pixel graphics suck you into the game’s narrative, which is rooted in folk tale horror.
As you solve puzzles and collect items, the unsettling atmosphere of the rural town begins to creep up on you. The story and mystery unravel slowly but satisfactorily as you dig deeper into what happened at Hob’s Barrow.
A Little To The Left – $14.99
Who knew getting organized could be so fun? A Little to the Left is a puzzle game that tasks you with organizing various household items, like books, stationery, and cleaning products. It’s both relaxing and satisfying to fit all the pieces together and tidy up the in-game house. There are different solutions to each puzzle, so you can get creative with how you solve them too.
You can’t get too complacent, though, as sometimes a mischievous cat will come along and swipe away the progress you’ve made. Every game is better with cats though, right?
Detention – $12.99
Detention takes place in 1960s Taiwan, when the country is under martial law, and draws on various elements of Taiwanese and Chinese mythology culture. The game creates its spine-tingling horror through its atmosphere and stylized graphics as you explore Greenwood High School, where the main character, Ray, and her fellow students find themselves trapped.
In the school’s hallways and classrooms lurk terrifying creatures known as the ‘lingered’, and the building itself is not how Ray remembers. The game’s narrative is not only gripping but also a horrifying glimpse into what life was like during the White Terror in Taiwan.
Don’t Starve Together – $14.99
The multiplayer companion to Don’t Starve, Don’t Starve Together takes everything that was great about the survival game and allows you to experience it alongside other players. With slightly creepy, Tim Burton-esque graphics, Don’t Starve Together have you braving the wilderness and doing your best to survive.
Alongside collecting resources and fending off dangerous creatures, you’ll uncover the secrets and mysteries of The Constant — the world where you find yourself. You can play in private games with your friends, or work together with other online players.
Melatonin – $14.99
Ready to get in time with the beat? Melatonin is a rhythm game where the borders of dreams and reality meet. There’s gorgeous, hand-drawn art throughout, only made better by its pastel color scheme, which is used in each of the game’s levels. To help you stay in time with the rhythm, there are sound cues and animations, making the barrier to entry significantly less than in other rhythm games.
As you make your way through each of the levels, you’ll learn more about the protagonist’s life. There’s a lot to be revealed in dreams, after all. If you finish the levels and can’t get enough, you can also use the Level Editor to create your own rhythm.