Many gamers are drawn by the nostalgic magnetism of Retro-Inspired Action Games. Nintendo Switch has become a haven for these games, blending classic gameplay elements with modern twists.
1. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Metacritic Score: 91
Release Date: March 3, 2017
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete edition of the Shovel Knight saga, featuring all expansions. It’s a comprehensive, classic action-adventure game featuring outstanding gameplay, unforgettable characters, and a charming 8-bit retro aesthetic.
2. Celeste
Metacritic Score: 88
Release Date: January 25, 2018
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Celeste is a platformer who talks about climbing a mountain literally and metaphorically. It combines classic games’ tight, precise platforming with a heartfelt, modern narrative.
3. Streets of Rage 4
Metacritic Score: 82
Release Date: April 30, 2020
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Bringing the classic beat-up series into the modern era, Streets of Rage 4 adds fresh visuals and mechanics to its nostalgic core, making it a thrilling experience for old and new fans.
4. Hollow Knight
Metacritic Score: 85
Release Date: June 12, 2018
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Hollow Knight is a grand action-adventure game set within a sprawling, devastated kingdom inhabited by insects and heroes. It features fluid and challenging combat, beautiful hand-drawn characters, and an intricate world to explore.
5. The Messenger
Metacritic Score: 86
Release Date: August 30, 2018
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC
The Messenger starts as a classic 8-bit ninja adventure but transforms into a thrilling 16-bit time-travelling tale, offering a unique twist on the genre.
6. Blazing Chrome
Metacritic Score: 78
Release Date: July 11, 2019
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
In Blazing Chrome, machines dominate the world, and the few humans left are on the edge of total extermination. This game brings back the golden era of side-scrolling shooters with modern enhancements.
7. Axiom Verge
Metacritic Score: 79
Release Date: October 17, 2017
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Axiom Verge is a Metroidvania game that relies heavily on the exploration and discovery aspect of the genre, featuring a unique glitch art style and deep, engaging gameplay.
These games celebrate the past and push the boundaries of genre and style with innovative mechanics and captivating stories. Whether you’re looking to revisit the classics or experience new twists on beloved formulas, the Nintendo Switch has something for every retro game enthusiast.
8. Hyper Light Drifter
Metacritic Score: 84
Release Date: September 6, 2018
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Hyper Light Drifter is an action-adventure RPG that channels the spirit of classic 16-bit titles yet elevates the experience with updated mechanics and expansive design. Players explore a beautiful, vast, ruined world with dangers and lost technologies.
9. Sonic Mania
Metacritic Score: 86
Release Date: August 15, 2017
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Sonic Mania returns to the Sonic franchise’s classic 2D platforming roots. It revisits the classic zones of the first games while introducing new zones and a frenetic gameplay experience, capturing the retro spirit with modern polish.
10. Cuphead
Metacritic Score: 86
Release Date: April 18, 2019
Platforms Available: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Cuphead is a classic run-and-gun action game based on intense boss battles. Drawing inspiration from 1930s cartoons, the game’s visuals and audio are meticulously crafted using authentic techniques from that era, such as traditional hand-drawn cel animation, watercolour backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.
Summary
The Nintendo Switch has become a hub for gamers who cherish the nostalgia of Retro-Inspired Action Games, combining classic gameplay mechanics with contemporary enhancements. This blog explores some of the most celebrated retro-inspired action games on the platform, each offering a unique blend of old-school charm and modern gameplay innovations.
