It’s time again for what I’ve dubbed the Happy Showcase, as Nintendo Indie World Showcases always feature several games that just feel happy. Most of these titles are coming out this year. As the stream was UK-based, all seasons are from the Northern Hemisphere; “summer” is roughly Q3 and “winter” is roughly Q4.
Ooblets
I just edited what I initially wrote to cut out all the cussing, because I swear when I get happy and I was so happy to see Ooblets starting off the showcase! My Happy Meter is off the charts already! Ooblets is a farm sim slash creature collector. Collection creatures involves fighting dance battles with cards to get new seeds containing new Ooblets. You can decorate your arm, customise your farm’s layout, travel to different locations, and run your own shop. From Glumberland, Ooblets launches Summer 2022.
Batora: Lost Haven
This fast-paced action-adventure RPG is a story-driven game where players must use their character’s strength and wits to conquer challenges. Balancing physical and mental powers is key. Whatever you decide to do, your conscience will carry the weight of your decisions. From Team17 and Stormind Games, Batora: Lost Haven launches Autumn 2022.
ElecHead
From a one-person development team, ElecHead is a 2D puzzle platformer. Follow a small robot on a mission to restore light to the world. Electricity charges through the world and brings it to life. Oh, and a bonus: you can throw your head, but retrieve it within ten seconds or else! From by NamaTakahashi, ElecHead launches Summer 2022.
Soundfall
Have you ever played a rhythm-based dungeon crawler? Neither have I, but now I really want to! Fight to the beat, with over 140 songs to choose from, and save the world. There is also co-op available. Choose from five heroes and five hundred pieces of equipment to customise your experience. From Drastic Games and Noodlecake, Soundfall is available now.
Wildfrost
Take on harsh conditions in this Tactical roguelike deck builder. Customise your deck to try and end the frost. Battles waves of monsters, from cute to brutal. The game features a dynamic counter system. There are daily challenges, and a town to expand. From Chucklefish and Deadpan Games, Wildfrost launches Winter 2022.
TABS: Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
TABS is a game inspired by the feeling you get while playing with action figures as a child. It features loads of wobbly figures in silly simulated battles. Online multiplayer is available. It’s wobbling time! From Landfall Games, TABS: Totally Accurate Battle Simulator launches Summer 2022.
Gunbrella
This side-scrolling noir-punk action adventure game follows a gruff woodsman out for revenge. Glide, swing, dash, dive and take out enemies. Sleuthing skills are also imperative to get to the bottom of why the world is rapidly losing natural resources. From Devolver Digital and Doinksoft, Gunbrella launches in 2023.
We Are OFK
A music biopic game from an actual indie band, We Are OFK will have new episodes available every week. This emotional ride is set in downtown LA and is about an indie band struggling to establish themselves while also having to hold down boring adult things like jobs. The developer describes it as “a heartfelt making-the-band journey.” From Team OFK, We Are OFK launches Summer 2022.
SILT
This hand-drawn game is downright haunting! It features a surreal underwater realm filled with strange machinery and ocean inhabitants. Players can even possess creatures to solve puzzles in the unsettling, monochromatic world. From
Spiral Circus Games, SILT launches June 2022.
Mini Motorways
I love Mini Motorways and its predecessor, Mini Metro. Mini Motorways is currently available on Apple Arcade, but it’s about time it comes to Nintendo Switch! Solve congestion by building roads. Resign and expand as you need to. There are daily challenges to keep it fresh. From Dinosaur Polo Club, Mini Motorways is available now. Read more about Mini Motorways from its initial AA launch here.
Wayward Strand
Have you even been on a flying hospital? Neither have I, but that’s about to change. Set in 1970s rural Australia, the game follows a teen journalist as she learns about the home’s residents. Each story unfolds in real time, at the same time. Follow inhabitants, eavesdrop, or converse. Keep track of information and spend time with certain characters to open up new characters and locations. From ghost pattern, Wayward Strand launches on July 21.
Cult of the Lamb
This game’s premise is a bit of a whacky one (I say after the one about a flying retirement home in the 70s), as it is about a possessed lamb saved by a stranger. This creates a a massive debt, and the lamb must repay it by creating a community of woodland worshipers. From Devolver Digital and Massive Monster, Cult of the Lamb launches later this year.
Another Crab’s Treasure
A crustacean-themed soulslike action-adventure, Another Crab’s Treasure has players taking over a crab trying to buy back its repossessed shell.In the meantime, scavenge through trash and use what you find as a shell. The best news? Crabs have natural weapons! The developer promises the game maintains soulslike difficulty while being approachable to new players. From Aggro Crab, Another Crab’s Treasure launches in 2023.
To end the presentation, there’s a sneak peak at more indie games coming to Nintendo Switch.
- OneShot: World Machine Edition from DANGEN Entertainment and Future Cat LLC, launching Summer 2022
- Gibbon: Beyond the Trees from Broken Rules, available now
- Idol Manager from PLAYISM and Glitch Pitch, launching on August 25
- Card Shark from Devolver Digital and Nerial
- Cursed to Golf from Thunderfull and Chuhai Labs, launching Summer 2022
- A Guidebook of Babel by Pixmain and StarryStarry, launching Autumn 2022
- OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition from SIGONO, available now
I’ve added all the individual trailers I can, but to watch the entire presentation or fill in the gaps, here is the entire showcase. It begins at the 20-minute mark.
