Are you troubled by unusual noises in the course of the evening? Do you expertise emotions of dread in your basement or attic? Have you ever or your loved ones ever seen a spook, spectre, or ghost? If the reply is “no”… you clearly have not been enjoying any of the wonderful horror video games on Nintendo Swap.
There is not any scarcity of scary video games on the console, however you might be questioning that are one of the best Swap horror video games to load up if you’re in the home alone on a darkened evening and within the temper for a fright.
We have rounded up a listing of one of the best scary Swap video games — in no specific order — to get your pulse racing. Not all of them are outright horror video games, however every certainly one of these titles is a spooky deal with in its personal method. Do not say we did not warn you!
Little Nightmares II (Swap)
We fairly loved the unique Little Nightmares, however the sequel — the appropriately titled Little Nightmares II — is the decide of the pair in our e-book. It is nothing lower than partaking from begin to end, with excellent pacing, entertainingly assorted stage design, and wonderful graphics and efficiency.
Its solely actual flaws are primarily based on the imprecision that comes with all video games in its sub-genre, in addition to just a few sections that really feel extra about trial-and-error than reactive survival. In our view, although, this does not detract from a far superior sequel and top-of-the-line cinematic platformers we have had the privilege of having fun with. An actual trendy deal with.
Resident Evil Revelations Assortment (Swap)
This collection is granddaddy of survival horror video games, so it is clearly going to function on this checklist. Resident Evil Revelations Assortment combines each the unique 3DS title Revelations and Revelations 2 (though the sequel is a obtain code when you purchase bodily, so beware) and supplies some wonderful over-the-shoulder scares.
Each can be found individually on the eShop and the latter is right for co-op you probably have a pal. The truth is, we would suggest you deliver another person alongside – it may be much less scary that method.
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Layers of Worry: Legacy (Swap eShop)
Layers of Worry: Legacy is a horrifying strolling simulator during which you need to discover the home of a mad painter.
The scares are psychological right here, and even a easy pan of the digicam can alter the setting significantly. You may be terrified to take a easy step on this creative mind-messer; the creativity in its scares helps to maintain you guessing about what’s round each nook, and even then, its distinctive set-pieces will most definitely shock you anyway.
Barely lacklustre gameplay apart, the plot’s descent into insanity and the title’s dedication to messing along with your expectations to arrange a scare imply that this horrific expertise is one you received’t wish to miss out on.
Observer (Swap eShop)
Regardless of threatening to fizzle below the load of its reverence for Blade Runner, Observer manages to craft a formidable and affecting horror expertise on Swap that doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s arguably at its finest if you give up to the barrage of images and sounds fairly than scanning swimming pools of blood with detective imaginative and prescient.
This port walks a technical tightrope and falters slightly in docked mode, however fares a lot better as a handheld expertise – its ambition and wealthy world-building are admirable sufficient to make up for any technical shortcomings.
As for the scare issue, properly, everybody’s going to have their very own private scale on the subject of what makes you moisten your trousers, but when dread, unease, and a complete lack of predictability sound like your cup of tea, you could possibly be trying ahead to a protracted, sleepless evening after enjoying this one.
Outlast: Bundle of Terror (Swap eShop)
The unique Outlast: Bundle of Terror proved that indie builders can do survival horror – and do it properly. You play because the freelance journalist Miles Upshur, who decides to cease writing about Brexit and new-age diets and go in search of a narrative inside a long-abandoned asylum. Nevertheless, it may not be fairly as deserted because it seems to be…
In case you like the unique there’s additionally Outlast 2 to contemplate. It takes place in the identical universe as the unique, however has you enjoying as a husband and spouse investigative journalists Blake and Lynn Langermann. Armed with solely a digicam, you need to examine the mysterious loss of life of an unknown pregnant lady. Nothing can go unsuitable there, certainly?
Each Outlast video games are must-have experiences for many who like to be scared witless, though the primary one is probably one of the best. Nonetheless, the sequel is value a glance if you’re completed filling your unmentionables with…worry.
Limbo (Swap eShop)
Limbo is a brilliantly moody and expertly poised platform-puzzler that tells a harrowing story fully with out the usage of phrases. It may be slightly stark, but it surely’s dense with ingenious physics puzzles and weighty platforming challenges.
It is fairly highly effective stuff, and your creativeness will run wild at what all of it means. Oh, and there is a completely large spider to take care of. That gives greater than sufficient horror to earn its place right here.
Detention (Swap eShop)
Detention is a horror basic that deserves a spot in your Nintendo Swap. Its story has an necessary message behind it because it introduces themes that appear virtually unfair when considered by means of the eyes of a kid, however that solely helps to escalate the horror.
Via a terrifying environment, a collection of chilling ghouls, and a soundtrack that can sink its tooth into you, Detention is a suitably horrifying title that must be skilled first-hand.
Darkish Souls: Remastered (Swap)
Darkish Souls: Remastered may not be a strict horror sport, but it surely’s packing loads of frights nonetheless. It is a devoted remaster of a touchstone in online game design that improves general efficiency whereas preserving all the character traits that made the unique such a memorable expertise.
Whereas it’s no much less forgiving — and its menus are slightly fiddly — this slick Nintendo Swap iteration affords the solely solution to expertise Lordran’s ultra-challenging odyssey in true handheld type. Between the daunting problem, horrific monsters, and a claustrophobic darkish setting, Darkish Souls may have you as tense as an evening spent in a haunted home. Enter, when you dare!
Demise Mark (Swap)
Demise Mark’s mystical horror setting presents itself as an exploratory journey sport, and far of your time might be spent wandering round a single predetermined location looking for clues and objects that can assist resolve the case and quell the spirit’s thirst for revenge with out getting your self killed within the course of.
It is a uncommon sport that may begin off tense after which constantly ratchet up the temper to virtually insufferable ranges till the ultimate moments of the ultimate chapter – and a fair rarer one which has sufficient various characters, dialogue, and endings to make it value enjoying by means of greater than as soon as – however Demise Mark succeeds the place it actually counts.
There’s a lot on supply right here for each horror followers in addition to these in search of a thriller that requires greater than hoarding knick-knacks and ready patiently to your character to formally discover one thing earlier than you’ll be able to proceed.
Resident Evil Origins Assortment (Swap)
The primary Resident Evil stays a basic of the style. In some ways, it’s – and may solely ever be – a product of its time, although. Even when tuned and honed and buffed to perfection, it has its personal idiosyncratic character and methods; change them and you modify the sport. Collection veterans will know what to anticipate, however new gamers ought to put together themselves for a education in sport mechanics which have largely fallen out of style.
The identical applies to Resident Evil 0, and whereas the unique sport is the plain draw right here, the prequel deserves one other look, particularly for followers who skipped it. Each video games look nice on Swap and the power to play on-the-go helps alleviate a few of the frustrations inherent to their old style methods, giving them the absolute best alternative to win you over in a contemporary context.
Each can be found individually on the eShop, and when you purchase bodily you will nonetheless need to obtain REmake by way of a code regardless. Finally, there is not any higher solution to pattern that authentic survival horror method in 2019, offered you’ve obtained the abdomen — and the house in your system reminiscence — for it.
Darkwood (Swap eShop)
Darkwood is, fortunately, fairly in contrast to another horror sport on Swap. These with a style for survival video games will respect the fixed stress to salvage elements and craft new objects whereas a clock ticks down within the background, whereas these with a love for all issues sinister will actually respect a few of the actually disturbing moments.
Regardless of the occasional technical flaw, the result’s a purposefully gradual expertise that rewards a number of playthroughs with a storyline that branches relying on simply how far into insanity you’re prepared to tread.
Amnesia: Assortment (Swap eShop)
Regardless of being a set that features three entries in the identical collection, the Amnesia: Assortment really affords three very distinct experiences.
The Darkish Descent is a milestone for the style that belies its personal mechanical points by providing some good, old style scares. Justine is a short however experimental foray into grotesque puzzle-solving that’s properly definitely worth the detour, and A Machine for Pigs takes a extra stripped-down strategy to the unique’s methods, however introduces a way more immersive story consequently.
It’s a correct little time capsule that’s excellent for many who’ve already exhausted their worry glands with Outlast and Layers of Worry and need one other means to relax their blood on a chilly, darkish winter evening.
Tales Untold (Swap eShop)
Tales Untold is a chilling journey that manages to attract us proper into its world by means of the ingenious use of its UI and completely realised lo-fi aesthetic.
Via the partitions of outdated expertise and complex equipment, it creates a uniquely robust bond between participant and narrative, providing you with an actual sense of place inside its world because it slowly corrupts and twists from the comfortingly acquainted to one thing else fully.
It is top-of-the-line interactive horror tales we have ever performed and an ideal match for having fun with alone in the dead of night on Swap.
Alien: Isolation (Swap eShop)
Alien: Isolation is a survival horror masterpiece and straight-up one of many absolute best horror video video games ever launched.
It is a nerve-wracking affair – a gradual, methodical sport of cat and mouse in opposition to a brilliantly intelligent recreation of certainly one of cinema’s most notorious killers – however when you’re as much as the duty you will discover probably the most satisfying gameplay experiences within the style; an excellent and delightful homage to one of many biggest Sci-Fi motion pictures of all time.
Feral Interactive has finished a stellar job with this Swap port and the wonderful movement controls and inclusion of all previously-released DLC solely go to sweeten the deal. That is important stuff for survival horror followers.
Physician Who: The Lonely Assassins (Swap eShop)
That includes the completely terrifying Weeping Angels – finest recognized for the episode “Blink”, to which this sport is a direct sequel – Physician Who: The Lonely Assassins could be very in all probability one of the best Physician Who sport ever made.
When you might not put the long-lasting (and sometimes janky) British sci-fi present within the horror style, the pervasive affect of the aforementioned villainous statues and a few fairly frankly wonderful writing make this ‘discovered telephone’ sport genuinely scary in locations. Maybe not sufficient to make you weep, however definitely enough to have you ever drop your Swap on account of a bounce scare. Watch out!
The Strolling Lifeless: The Full First Season (Swap eShop)
Whether or not you performed this again in 2012, or are utterly new to the collection, Telltale’s The Strolling Lifeless: The Full First Season is a masterpiece of online game storytelling. It options a few of the finest voice-over performances you’ll discover on any gaming platform and units the stage for a grand, multi-season odyssey of tragic proportions.
Nevertheless, that is additionally a satisfying and poignant assortment even when you by no means play the next episodes. Even when you misplaced endurance with Rick Grimes and TV collection adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comedian books, this stays an unbelievable interactive adaptation of Kirkman’s world of walkers.
Carrion (Swap eShop)
Carrion is a particular factor in some ways — a sport which places you within the footwear (or slithering eldritch tentacles) of the sport’s ‘boss’ — however its precise meat-and-potatoes construction is as formulaic because the style will get.
Fortunately, its core gameplay of tearing room after room of individuals into moist chunks of corpse by no means ever will get outdated and sustains the expertise all through. It seems to be excellent, sounds nice, and is loads of enjoyable to play, regardless of some minor points which simply maintain Carrion again from absolutely the higher echelons of the Swap library.
Nonetheless, when you’re after a horrific Metroidvania with a twist, this one is disgustingly intriguing.
Deadly Body: Maiden of Black Water (Swap eShop)
There’s so much to love about Deadly Body: Maiden of Black Water (generally known as Challenge Zero in Europe). Whereas we did not discover it overly scary, it is vitally good certainly at being eerie. You may see ghosts out of the nook of your eye and if you test, they’re going to be gone. It is oddly cosy and non-stressful for a horror sport, as a result of your digicam is such an environment friendly weapon and the fight it propagates is just too action-packed to essentially let any dread sink in.
That is not essentially a foul factor, although we discovered the sooner PlayStation 2 instalments of the collection had been extra concerned with actively scary the participant. Get absorbed within the storyline — which is straightforward to do because the episodic construction makes “only one extra space” a compelling prospect — and you will find this sport’s an actual winner and price snapping up when you’re a horror fan who missed it on Wii U.
Dying Mild Platinum Version (Swap)
Whereas there are some simple {hardware} limitations, Dying Mild Platinum Version nonetheless interprets the total survival horror expertise in all its undead glory to the Swap with spectacular outcomes and stands as fairly a outstanding achievement.
Its bold open world stuffed with zombies is in contrast to the rest within the Swap’s library and, between the core marketing campaign and 6 years of fixed DLC updates, there’s doubtlessly lots of of hours of enjoyment available right here.
Granted, all of this comes at the price of efficiency that may be middling in comparison with different platforms, however that is neatly balanced out by the comfort of enjoying in handheld mode. In case you like your scares diluted with a wholesome dose of open-world motion, that is the sport for you.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Swap)
Okay, we have gone from horror to ‘horror-themed’ right here, however Luigi’s Mansion 3 shouldn’t be solely a graphical powerhouse and showcase for Subsequent Stage Video games’ unrivalled mastery of online game animation, but it surely’s additionally an immense serving to of spooky enjoyable as properly.
The quantity of care and consideration poured into each aspect of the sport is abundantly clear, and all of it leads to probably the most satisfying and enticing Swap titles of the 12 months. It is also the undisputed excessive level of a franchise which – following this sterling launch – will hopefully get much more love and a focus from Nintendo fandom, and the gaming neighborhood as a complete.
We all know what you are considering, and no, it is undoubtedly not precisely an outright horror sport, however when you’re after a spooky title you could play with the youngsters, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is excellent.
Inside (Swap eShop)
Inside is the non secular successor to Limbo, and it builds on its predecessor in each conceivable method potential. A grimly stunning platform-puzzler that, whereas transient, is packed stuffed with jaw-dropping highlights, its darkish tone will not be for everybody, but it surely’s all been executed brilliantly, with gently taxing physics-based conundrums woven right into a haunting wordless narrative.
It is a very related sport to its predecessor in some ways, with side-scrolling components, a stunning, moody artwork type, and a weak protagonist on the coronary heart of it. Every part’s simply greater, higher, and far more affecting.
Signalis (Swap eShop)
Signalis got here out of nowhere to offer survival horror followers a near-perfect love letter to the long-running style. It’s at its finest if you’re darting between enemies, utilizing stealth and endurance fairly than brute power. Whereas a few of the fight encounters felt slightly pressured, the puzzles are simply the right combination of difficult and approachable.
The surreal imagery and distinctive storytelling construction right here add to the general polish of a sport that’s the excellent size for what it’s. There have been an terrible lot of homages to basic survival horror, however Signalis stands as top-of-the-line.
Afterdream (Swap eShop)
Afterdream is a trippy puzzle sport that takes all the long-lasting hallmarks of basic survival horror video games (minus the survival half) and crams them right into a cute but fully unsettling bundle. The sport makes nice use of the digicam mechanic to disclose secrets and techniques and scares, and whereas it would not go fairly as freakishly horrifying as we would maybe like, the overarching environment greater than makes up for this.
In case you’re after one thing spooky that is not going to outright scare the residing daylights out of you, then that is undoubtedly one to take a look at.
Ghostbusters: The Video Sport Remastered (Swap)
One other entry that is extra spoopy than genuinely spooky, we may hardly exclude the ‘busters, may we!?
Your enjoyment of Ghostbusters: The Video Sport Remastered will rely virtually fully in your affection for the flicks – we love ’em (and we’re more than pleased to scrupulously defend Ghostbusters II if you wish to hear us bang on about it for an hour down the pub), so this sport is an excellent type of time journey.
Mechanically talking, there’s little you haven’t seen elsewhere, but it surely’s a handsome, enjoyable third-person romp dripping in slimy spooks and nostalgia, and the prospect to spend time within the firm of those outdated pals – a few of them dearly departed – is just too good to move up when you’ve ever strapped in your college backpack and gone out to catch ghosts within the backyard.
Want much more nostalgic paranormal entrapment in your life? We have you coated…
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed – Ecto Version (Swap)
Launching on Swap a 12 months after its debut on different platforms, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed – Ecto Version douses its completely serviceable on-line 4v1 gameplay in positively charged psychomagnotheric nostalgia slime.
From small touches within the visuals to snippets of dialogue, the element and care that has gone into recreating the Ghostbusters’ world right here makes you forgive the occasional visible glitch and fundamental, predictable plot.
If ‘busting makes you’re feeling good, you will have a good time with this one, even when it is not strictly a ‘horror’ sport within the blood-curdling, spine-tingling sense.
You made it? Nicely finished. Right here we’ll reply some frequent questions readers have on the subject of getting your scares with Swap.
Often Requested Questions
Does Nintendo have any horror video games?
Nintendo itself? Hmm, not likely. As you’ll be able to see above, the Swap console hosts loads of horror video games, however Luigi’s Mansion is the closest factor Nintendo itself has to a horror franchise of its personal, and that is most undoubtedly a kid-friendly spookfest. A superb collection, however not one which’s going to genuinely scare you. Famicom Detective Membership has some unsettling moments, but it surely’s not a horror sport per se.
Nintendo has printed a number of scary video games up to now, although, together with Deadly Body: Maiden of Black Water on Wii U (the Swap port was printed by Koei Tecmo, although) and the genuinely terrifying Everlasting Darkness on GameCube. The platform holder retains the IP rights to Everlasting Darkness, so it is potential — if unlikely — that Nintendo may return to ‘correct’ horror once more someday sooner or later.
Extra lately, Nintendo launched Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Membership on the Swap which, because of its creepy preliminary advertising, led many to consider that it could be a full-fledged horror sport. As it’s, it is a fairly commonplace detective journey title, albeit with some horror components connected.