Nintendo Indie World April 2024 – Every Game Revealed, its Trailers and Release Date

Nintendo held another of its Indie World showcase events in April 2024, revealing a huge slate of indie games coming to the Nintendo Switch over the next year. 

The 20-minute presentation was packed with new game announcements, release date reveals, and fresh trailers for previously announced titles.

From 3D platformers and roguelikes to open-world adventures and relaxing exploration games, there was something for everyone at the April 2024 Indie World event. 

Let’s dive into all the notable announcements and reveals from the showcase.

Little Kitty, Big City (May 9, 2024)

Developer: Double Dagger Studio

Genre: Adventure

Little Kitty, Big City is an upcoming adventure game from American indie developer Double Dagger Studio. 

Players will assume the role of a cat that has found itself lost within a bustling city, with the primary objective of making its way back home.

Key Features:

• Explore a playful, metropolitan environment inspired by the streets of Tokyo.
• Navigate various obstacles and challenges, including water hazards that the feline protagonist cannot withstand.
• Discover the joys and perils of city life as the cat protagonist, balancing the need to return home with the temptation to explore.

The game is set to launch on May 9, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.

Yars Rising (2024)

Developer: WayForward

Genre: Metroidvania

Yars Rising is a modern Metroidvania take on the classic Atari 2600 game Yars’ Revenge. ]

Developed by the acclaimed studio WayForward, known for their expertise in the Metroidvania genre, Yars Rising promises to take the Yars universe to new heights.

Key Features:

• Experience a side-scrolling platformer adventure, unlike the original shoot ’em up gameplay of Yars’ Revenge.
• Play as a human character, rather than the flying alien bug from the original game.
• Uncover deep secrets and unlock hidden abilities as you progress through the nonlinear, Metroidvania-style world.
• Explore the narrative nods and connections to the original Yars’ Revenge title.

Refind Self: The Personality Test Game (Summer 2024)

Developer: Lizardry

Genre: Exploration-based Adventure

Refind Self: The Personality Test Game is a unique exploration-based adventure that analyzes the player’s in-game actions to determine their personality type.

Key Features:

• Assume the role of an android character on a journey to regain their lost memories and discover their true identity.
• The decisions made during the adventure will influence the final “personality test,” which will prescribe one of 23 distinct personality types.
• Players can make different choices on subsequent playthroughs to influence the outcome and explore alternative personality types.
• An intriguing concept that has received positive reviews on Steam since its PC launch.

Sticky Business (Now Available)

Developer: Spellgarden Games and Assemble Entertainment

Genre: Simulation

Sticky Business is a creative and relaxing 2D game developed by Spellgarden Games and published by Assemble Entertainment. 

Players will take on the role of a sticker shop owner, engaging in various tasks and immersing themselves in the cozy atmosphere of the business.

Key Features:

• Create custom stickers, pack orders, and listen to the stories of customers.
• Enjoy a soothing and stress-free gaming experience focused on the operation of a thriving sticker shop.
• The game features an additional downloadable content (DLC) called “Plan with Me,” providing players with even more content to explore.

Sticky Business offers a charming and relaxing alternative to more intense gaming experiences, appealing to both casual and dedicated players.

Launched initially for PC, Sticky Business is now available as a timed console exclusive on the Nintendo Switch.

Antonblast (November 12, 2024)

Developer: Summitsphere

Genre: Platformer

Antonblast is an upcoming explosive and action-packed retro-inspired platformer developed by independent studio Summitsphere. 

The game features a hand-animated pixel aesthetic reminiscent of the Game Boy Advance era.

Key Features:

• The story follows Dynamite Anton, a demolition expert, as he sets out to recover his collection of spirits stolen by Satan.
• Silky smooth 60fps action platforming and explosive escapes combined in a bombastic adventure.
• Blast through buildings, fight your demons, and explore the game’s wonky worlds as the protagonist, Dynamite Anton.

Antonblast is set to release on November 12, 2024, for Windows and Nintendo Switch.

Valley Peaks (2024)

Developer: Tub Club and Those Awesome Guys

Genre: First-Person Climbing Simulation

Valley Peaks is a first-person climbing simulation game that tasks players with scaling towering mountains and placing radio towers for the froggy inhabitants of the titular Valley Peaks.

Key Features:

• Meet an assortment of froggy friends, from shop owners to fellow climbing enthusiasts, as you uncover the mysteries of Valley Peaks.
• A unique climbing mechanic that challenges players to hone their skills and overcome various obstacles, such as fake rocks and swinging lanterns.
• Explore a beautiful and relaxing miniature open world filled with gorgeous backdrops and a laidback, wholesome atmosphere.
• Complete climbing routes to fill out stamp cards and earn rewards from the local climbing club.
• Unlock an array of gadgets, including a glider, to aid in your mountain-climbing adventures.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (May 16, 2024)

Developer: Simogo and Annapurna Interactive

Genre: Puzzle/Adventure

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a surreal mystery adventure game developed by the acclaimed studio Simogo and published by Annapurna Interactive.

Key Features:

• Players will explore a mysterious, black-and-white manor in central Europe as a woman with laser eyes.
• Solve an array of handcrafted puzzles and unravel the enigma surrounding the character of Lorelei.
• Experience a non-linear, immersive narrative that constantly presents new riddles and challenges to the player.
• Dive into a macabre-inspired, dreamlike world that promises to captivate players with its unique atmosphere and storytelling.

Developed by Simogo, the studio behind the acclaimed title Sayonara Wild Hearts, further strengthening the game’s reputation for innovative and visually striking experiences.

TMNT: Splintered Fate (July 2024)

Developer: Super Evil Megacorp

Genre: Roguelike Action

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is an all-new roguelike action game starring everyone’s favorite Heroes in a Half-Shell. 

With visuals spanning various iconic TMNT universes, you’ll take control of the four brothers – Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael – as they battle through procedurally generated runs to save Master Splinter from the clutches of the Foot Clan and other classic villains.

Key Features:

• Unique powers and abilities for each Turtle character.
• Team up with friends for co-op gameplay and explore iconic TMNT locations.
• Face off against classic TMNT foes in an adrenaline-packed “fight, adapt, repeat” experience.

Cat Quest III (August 8, 2024)

Developer: The Gentlebros and Kepler Interactive

Genre: Open-World Action RPG

The award-winning Cat Quest series returns with an all-new swashbuckling open-world adventure in Cat Quest III: Pirates of the Purribean. 

This 2.5D action RPG lets you embark on a high seas journey through the pirate-infested Purribean archipelago in your very own ship.

You’ll encounter nefarious pirate cat crews, mythical treasures like the Northern Star, and hopefully avoid being made to walk the plank.

Key Features:

• Open-world pirate-themed action RPG
• Sail your own ship through the Purribean islands
• Encounter mythical treasures and pirate cat enemies
• Charming 2.5D cartoon visuals and lighthearted tone
• Local co-op allows teaming up with a friend

Stitch (Now Available)

Developer: Lykke Studios

Genre: Casual Puzzle

In Stitch, you’ll fill in numbered grid-based levels by creating beautiful cross-stitch patterns across landscapes, objects, plants, and animals.

With daily and weekly puzzle challenges, a chill vibe, and soothing gameplay loop of completing stitch-based “hoops”, it’s the perfect casual puzzle game for winding down. 

Key Features:

• Fill gaps and areas in levels by stitching together landscapes, plants, animals, and objects.
• Solve daily shikaku puzzles and weekly limited-edition Hoops challenges.
• Formerly an exclusive title on Apple Arcade, now available on the Nintendo Switch.
• Casual, relaxing puzzle gameplay with an embroidery-inspired aesthetic.

BZZZT (Summer 2024)

Developer: KO.DLL and CINEMAX GAMES

Genre: Platformer

BZZZT is a frenetic, lightning-fast side-scroller that harkens back to the tough-as-nails platformers of the 8 and 16-bit eras. 

You play as the robot ZX8000 navigating hazardous futuristic environments filled with precise jumps, sprinting sections, and tons of charm and personality from its solo developer KO.DLL.

Key Features:

• Fast-paced “jump-dash-run” platformer with a nostalgic pixel-art style.
• Choose from various difficulty levels, from casual to hardcore.
• Intuitive controls and exciting time challenges.
• Compete with others in global or friends leaderboards.
• Inspired by classic platformers, with a thrilling adventure and boss fights.

SCHiM (July 18, 2024)

Developers: Ewoud van der Werf and Nils Slijkerman

Genre: 3D Platformer

The delightfully inventive premise of SCHiM has you playing as a “schim” – the soul or spirit attached to any object, creature, or person in the game’s whimsical world. 

After becoming separated from your human host, you’ll jump between various shadows and environments solving puzzles in a unique 3D platformer blending light and darkness.

Each stage contains its own self-contained narrative starring different schims, with an overarching storyline to unravel about rejoining your original host body. 

Key Features:

• Play as a disembodied spirit/soul in a 3D platformer
• Jump between shadows and light in puzzle environments
• Animated shadow platforms and abstract environments
• Self-contained level stories with an overarching mystery
• Beautiful art style and light/shadow gameplay hook

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (May 23, 2024)

Developer: Happy Broccoli Games

Genre: Adventure

For a much lighter experience, the 90-minute casual adventure Duck Detective: The Secret Salami sees you stepping into the role of a down-on-his-luck private investigator who just so happens to be…a duck? 

It’s your job to interview suspects, inspect evidence, and crack the case in this silly, pun-filled romp.

Key Features:

• Solve a narrative mystery adventure as a down-on-his-luck duck detective.
• Inspect evidence, fill in the blanks, and bust the case wide open.
• Throw bread to the “fine beak of lady justice” and judge everyone on first impressions.
• A casual, 90-minute detective experience with a quirky, humorous tone.

Another Crab’s Treasure (April 25, 2024)

Developer: AGGRO CRAB

Genre: Action RPG, Soulslike

Another Crab’s Treasure takes the challenging action RPG gameplay of titles like Elden Ring or Nioh but applies a decidedly lighter, more colorful setting and protagonist. 

You play as a hermit crab forced to wear trash as improvised shells while embarking on a grand underwater adventure.

Key Features:

• Challenging Soulslike action RPG gameplay
• Play as a hermit crab hero wearing trash shells
• Beautiful, vibrant undersea environments to explore
• Monstrous enemy designs and intense combat

SteamWorld Heist II (August 8, 2024)

Developer: Thunderful Games

Genre: Turn-Based Strategy

The long-awaited sequel to 2015’s critically acclaimed turn-based strategy game SteamWorld Heist, this follow-up moves the franchise’s signature robot protagonists to the high seas for an all-new swashbuckling adventure. 

In addition to the return of the series’ brilliant tactical turn-based battles with ricocheting bullets, you’ll also explore a world map sailing your steam-powered ship and engaging in real-time naval combat.

Series veteran Captain Leeway leads a ragtag SteamBot crew as they investigate a world where the water is becoming increasingly corrosive and poisoned. 

Key Features:

• Join Captain Leeway and set sail on the Great Sea in a turn-based strategy game.
• Uncover the mysteries surrounding a water crisis threatening the SteamBots.
• Assemble a rag-tag crew and sail across the sea, engaging in tactical battles.
• Explore a new naval combat-focused setting, while retaining the core turn-based gameplay.

Europa (2024)

Developer: Novadust Entertainment and Future Friends Games

Genre: Open-World Adventure

Europa is a breathtakingly gorgeous open-world adventure game set on the lush, terraformed moon of the same name that orbits Jupiter. 

You play as an android named Zee who can run, glide, and fly amid the moon’s expansive landscapes as you unravel the mysteries of its fallen utopia.

Key Features:

• Run, glide, and fly across the open world, solving mysteries and uncovering the stories of a fallen utopia.
• Offers a sense of freedom and exploration similar to Breath of the Wild.

Animal Well (May 9, 2024)

Developer: Billy Basso

Genre: Action-Exploration

Despite its cutesy pixel art visuals, Animal Well is actually a dark and unsettling horror-themed exploration game taking unmistakable inspiration from the survival horror genre. 

You’ll need to tread carefully and assess potential threats as you utilize unconventional items and abilities to overcome obstacles and hazards.

With winding, densely designed environments rendered exquisitely in a custom pixel art engine, Animal Well creates an atmospheric, dread-filled world to lose yourself in. 

The intentionally haunting tone and focus on cultivating unpredictable surprises and psychological horror elevate this beyond your typical Metroidvania.

Key Features:

• Disturbing horror/survival-focused Metroidvania gameplay
• Exquisite custom-made pixel art engine and dense environments
• Unconventional items and abilities to manipulate the world
• Cryptic storytelling and unpredictable psychological horror
• Inspired by survival horror and unconventional Nintendo classics

A Tale of Paper: Refolded (Now Available)

Developers: Digerati DM and Open House Games

Genre: puzzle-platformer

A Tale of Paper: Refolded is a puzzle-platformer that promises to take players on an emotional and atmospheric journey. 

Developed by Digerati DM, the game follows the story of Line, a magical character made of paper who can transform into various origami shapes.

Key Features:

• Origami Shapeshifting: Line can use origami to change its shape, transforming into a frog, a rocket, a bird, and more, each with unique abilities to overcome obstacles and puzzles.
• Emotional Storytelling
• A beautifully crafted world filled with challenges and danger at every turn, immersing players in a captivating atmosphere.
• Three prequel chapters, each featuring a different paper protagonist with its own origami shapeshifting abilities and tale to tell.
• Blend puzzle-solving and platforming

Fans of atmospheric puzzle-platformers like Little Nightmares and Limbo will find A Tale of Paper: Refolded to be a captivating addition to the genre.