On the 23rd January, Nintendo uploaded its newest set of Switch trailers, dubbed ‘Indie Highlights’. Part of the company’s dedication to satisfying both AAA players and indie lovers in equal measure, this 16-minute long presentation hosted trailers for the most exciting up-and-coming independent experiences we can experience on Nintendo’s flagship console.

Chucklefish had two games featured, being one of the larger indie studios out there. First up was Wargroove, announcing its long-awaited release date of the 1st of February 2019 and being placed on the Switch eShop for pre-download. The turn-based strategy fills a gap in the market not seen since the Advance Wars series stopped releasing games. A beautifully animated cinematic trailer accompanied this announcement, perfectly reflecting the game’s lighthearted style and tone.

Double Kick Heroes, developed by Headbang Club, is a crazy-looking rhythm-shooter game where you’re tasked with saving the world the only way you know how: metal. Featuring joycon motion control, the trailer went some way to show the crazy action that ensues. The music is high-octane, the art style is aggressive and impactful, and it looks like an exciting time for anyone who enjoys other rhythm-based games like Crypt of the Necrodancer.

When Ski Lifts Go Wrong was up next, a physics-based puzzle game brought to you by Hugecalf Studios. In it, you’re tasked with putting together various constructions, from the titular ski lifts to enormous towers and ski-jump ramps. Each minutia matters, as illustrated with pitch-perfect comic timing in the trailer, with a skier jumping just slightly too low and planting into a tree as the music suddenly stops. Currently released on the Switch, it’s one that piques the interest and definitely offers something different to the other games highlighted.

HopFrog’s Forager is an open-world game that allows the player to build their world how they want to. The trailer shows off a glimpse of the witty writing in the game, as well as the variety of activities there are to choose from, from resource-gathering and farming to fast-paced combat encounters. There’s no release date, but it’s one to keep an eye out for this year.

The trailer then showcased one of the most famous examples of indie success in history: Coffee Stain Studios’ Goat Simulator. Out currently on Switch, the Goaty edition includes all DLC previously added. If you somehow haven’t tried this game, then you might as well to see what all the fuss is about. Compared to the initial release, there’s a heck of a lot more content too, so I might even give it another go to see if it lasts longer than the initial comedic value it offers.

Chucklefish’s second announcement was the spooky puzzle-adventure Inmost. A perilous journey with three playable characters, this game is set to be released in 2019 and given that it is being made by such a proven studio, it’s certainly going to be an interesting one. The moody visuals look like they’ll blend fantastically with the creepy atmosphere the game tries to get across, so watch this space.

Unruly Heroes, inspired by the Chinese novel Journey to the West, showed off some superb, striking aesthetics as well as some tense platforming and fighting action that you can play with friends or solo. Magic Design Studios’ latest is currently on the Switch eShop, and since its release has garnered some favourable reviews for its delightful animation and sharp gameplay.

CrossCode, from Radical Fish Games, showed off its dizzyingly fast action in its highlight. Set for release in 2019, it’s an RPG in a sci-fi world, featuring all the flying lazers, flashing lights, and flamboyant characters you could ask for. It’s been a while since I picked up and played an entire RPG to its conclusion, so it’ll be interesting to see whether this one can pull off that difficult task.

Last, but absolutely not least, were Image & Form Games with SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech, a role-playing card game. A unique concept in itself, this one features some engaging steampunk aesthetics and a whole lot of pretty animation and art. As an avid card game player, crossing the playstyle into an adventure setting intrigues me to no end, so I’ll be keeping tabs on this one when it comes out in 2019.

You can watch the whole video here. It’s great to see Nintendo put so much emphasis on indies with the Switch, as far too often do we see brilliant games swept under the rug for big-money titles. Remember: don’t stop at just these highlights! There are no end to amazing independent experiences to be had, both on Switch and elsewhere, so do some digging of your own. You might just unearth a gem.