Nintendo has always been known for its family-friendly games, with every one of the Japanese video gaming company's consoles featuring a far greater number of E-rated titles than its competitor's offerings. But with the release of the Switch, Nintendo has proven that it too can offer a fair balance of kid-friendly and adult titles, with the current console offering a great variety of horror games.
There are tons of great survival horror games for the Switch, with far more available here than any of Nintendo's previous consoles. Here are some great survival horror games that are available for the Switch.
Updated September 21, 2023, by Megan Smith: Horror games have been a prominent part of gaming for many years with players enjoying all sorts of different scary experiences. As October edges closer many players have decided they wish to have a month of horror to enjoy the spooky season. This can be enjoyed on a variety of platforms with players enjoying horror games on the Nintendo Switch also. Many of these games can also be enjoyed elsewhere such as on PC, but being able to have the horror directly in the player's hands can make for an intense experience. With that in mind, these are by far the best horror games on the Nintendo Switch that are more than just a player's simple survival horror experience.
Paratopic
| Release Date | March 2018 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Arbitrary Metric |
| Platform | PC, MAC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch |
The Nintendo Switch is a playground for short stories and Paratopic is no different as it has intrigued players across various platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. In this short horror title, the player takes control of three different characters whose stories will all intercept in some way while they explore this intricately designed world that feels as if it's on a VHS tape.
In a game masked with imagery in a world that somewhat looks like the player's own, a horror fanatic needs to try Paratopic which has been deemed as one of the best horror games to release recently.
Bioshock
| Release Date | August 2007 |
|---|---|
| Developer | 2K Games |
| Platform | PC, MAC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and iOS |
Bioshock is by far one of the greatest first-person horror experiences that has brought on an audience that yearns for a fourth title. Though there hasn't been a new title mentioned yet, players can now experience all three of the games on the Nintendo Switch by purchasing the Bioshock collection.
The collection holds up fairly well on the six-year-old console with little to no stutters as well as making Bioshock a game that can be enjoyed on the go if players are willing to face their fears while in public.
Metro 2033 Redux
| Release Date | August 2014 |
|---|---|
| Developer | 4A Games |
| Platform | PC, MAC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch |
Continuing on the theme of first-person shooter horrors, Metro 2033 is a classic horror title that explores a post-apocalyptic Russia where there are dangers lurking in the darkness of the subways in which humans are now forced to survive.
Metro 2033 Redux is a remastered version of the title that has been rebuilt with a better engine that has allowed it to even be enjoyed on the Switch. This classic has seen itself become one of the best horror games on the Nintendo Switch due to its incredible story and tense moments as players explore deeper into the subways where the mutants lurk.
Don't Starve
| Release Date | April 2013 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Klei Entertainment |
| Platform | PC, MAC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS |
Besides first-person horror experiences, the Nintendo Switch is also a brilliant platform for players to enjoy survival horrors as well. Don't Starve is a brilliant example of this as it has been previously enjoyed on a wide range of platforms including the PS Vita which has made its transformation to the Switch that much easier.
While it may not be as outwardly scary as other horror titles, there is still something mortifying about the dangers of the darkness and the rush to get home before the night arrives—not to mention the other monsters players will need to face.
Signalis
| Release Date | October 2022 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Rose Engine Games |
| Platform | PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch |
Signalis is a classic pixel horror title that is set in a futuristic world where humanity has taken control of the entire solar system. Playing as Elster has she awakens in a world she doesn't remember with the one goal of finding her partner.
While adventuring into the unknown players will need to stay on their toes as all sorts of dangers could be lurking within. The sci-fi elements of this title match nicely with its survival horror genre making Signalis a must for anyone looking for a horror game to enjoy on their Switch.
Amnesia Collection
| Release Date | September 2018 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Frictional Games |
| Platform | PC, MAC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch |
Many folks cite Amnesia: The Dark Descent as being one of the best survival horror games of the past decade, as it in many ways reinvigorated the genre by introducing plenty of new ideas and mechanics into the survival horror genre back when it launched in 2010.
Ten years later, the game continues to hold its own with the addition of Amnesia: Justine and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs to the collection; however, The Dark Descent easily stands out as the biggest highlight.
Outlast
| Release Date | September 2013 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Red Barrels |
| Platform | PC, MAC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch |
It's hard to believe that Outlast is now seven years old, with it originally released back in 2013. Taking place within an abandoned insane asylum, this game is easily one of the most aggressive and stressful horror games ever. Since its release, many other games have gone on to attempt to copy Outlast's horror magic with most failing to live up to the original.
Outlast is also one of the most impressive 3rd party ports to the Switch, with the game running at a buttery smooth 60 frames-per-second with little noticeable graphical downgrades.
Alien: Isolation
| Release Date | October 2014 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Creative Assembly |
| Platform | PC, MAC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android |
Alien Isolation is another awesome Switch port that shouldn't be overlooked, as Alien Isolation is an incredibly scary game, with it serving as somewhat of a follow-up to the original 1979 sci-fi horror film. Thrown into the role of Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley's daughter, the player must escape from a Xenomorph that has found its way onto their ship.
The game's terror comes from the Xenomorph's incredibly high intelligence level and lack of weaponry for the player to defend themselves with, which makes for an unforgettable horror experience.
Detention
| Release Date | March 2018 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Red Candle Games |
| Platform | PC, MAC, PlayStation 4, Android, and Nintendo Switch |
Detention is by far the most unique horror on this list, as it decides to go for a much different graphical style than most others. Additionally, Detention steps away from the third dimension entirely and instead presents itself as a 2D side-scroller, but it still packs in the scares.
Detention is a classic survival horror game through and through, with some elaborate level design and truly horrifying visuals. Set in a Japanese high school, Detention offers a very different experience that leaves players asking for more.
Resident Evil 4
| Release Date | January 2005 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Platform | PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, GameCube, iOS, and Android |
At this point, Resident Evil 4 has been released on pretty much every console to speak of. The Switch version of Resident Evil 4 is unsurprisingly exactly what fans would expect, which is one of the best survival horror games of the past two decades.
With one of the most loved horror games finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch, players can now enjoy the scares and the intense action anywhere on the go. Well, as long as they have the battery life left on their console.
Layers Of Fear
| Release Date | February 2016 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Bloober Team |
| Platform | PC, MAC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch |
Serving as the survival horror debut for the widely loved Bloober Team, Layers of Fear offers an interesting narrative of an artist slowly losing his sanity, with interesting visuals taking advantage of the game's artsy aesthetic.
The game in many ways feels more like a fun visual experience rather than a traditional survival horror game, with most of the game's enjoyment coming from its striking visuals. Because of this, the game could probably be better enjoyed on other platforms, but it's still a big console highlight.
Observer
| Release Date | August 2017 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Bloober Team |
| Platform | PC, MAC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch |
Fans of science fiction and cyberpunk would likely go crazy for Observer, the second horror release by Bloober Team. The game feels incredibly different from Layers of Fear, with the game feeling suspiciously similar to Blade Runner. Taking place within a futuristic world, the player steps into the shoes of Daniel Lazarski who works as a detective who hacks into suspects' brain implants with a device known as the Dream Eater in a futuristic form of police interrogation.
Observer is frightening both visually, but also psychologically as it brings up interesting moral and ethical questions. The game is another impressive Switch port, with it taking some noticeable graphical hits but still managing to run and look great on Nintendo's little hybrid device.
Dead By Daylight
| Release Date | June 2016 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Behaviour Interactive |
| Platform | PC, PlayStaion 4, PlayStation5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android |
While it's not necessarily a scary game, Dead by Daylight sets itself apart by offering an online multiplayer experience unlike any other. The game allows players to either step into the role of a survivor or a killer, where survivors must attempt to escape from the killer whose sole purpose is to kill every other player.
The game runs on nearly every current generation device and can be played cross-play (excluding mobile versions) with the Switch version being the only portable version of the title that offers full cross-play.
White Night
| Release Date | March 2015 |
|---|---|
| Developer | OSome Studio |
| Platform | PC, MAC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android |
White Night is another unique horror title that offers something very different from most other games on this list. Offering a third-person perspective, White Night uses fixed camera angles classic Resident Evil-style but is limited to only black-and-white colors.
Set in a haunted house filled with ghosts, the game uses its limited colors and camera angles to its advantage. The player also has a limited light source in the form of matches, which will go out in a matter of seconds if the player is not careful. Because of this, the player must constantly be thinking quickly and strategically in White Night, or else face the wrath of the undead.
Resident Evil
| Release Date | March 2002 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Platform | PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Nintendo Switch, and Gamecube |
The game that started it all can now be played on the go, thanks to the Switch version of this PS1 classic hit. Resident Evil has never looked or played as good as it does now, and with the original on the Switch, there are not a lot of reasons to not check it out.
It's great to see that so many more adult titles such as horror games like Resident Evil can now be enjoyed on the Nintendo platform as the original Resident Evil is just one of many that will hopefully find themselves on the handheld soon.
