Roguelike games have gained a lot of popularity, and if you are someone who has a PC, you have likely played a lot of the popular roguelike games. But did you know that the Switch platform also has a ton of roguelike games that you can enjoy? If these are the types of games that you have always enjoyed or are planning to get into on your Nintendo Switch, then you’ve come to the right place.
We will be taking a look at the best roguelike games that you can play on your Switch, and also mention which Switch models you will be able to play them on. This is important because not all Switch 1 games will work well on the Switch 2. Let’s get started.
Best Roguelike Games That You Can Play on the Nintendo Switch
We have listed the best roguelike games for Switch in no particular order. Additionally, the prices for the games are listed as of the day of writing. Prices can fluctuate based on sales, discounts, or other factors.
Hades
A very popular roguelike game, Hades, is one of the best dungeon crawlers out there. In Hades, you play as the prince of the Underworld who has to break free from the grip of death. The game has a ton of character builds that you can experiment with and use during the intense battles that follow.
The game’s art style, background score, and storytelling make the Underworld area come to life. Hades also has a high replayability value, as there are new surprises that show up every time you go to battle with guardian bosses in the Underworld.
- Release Date: 17th September 2020
- Developer Supergiant Games
- Price: $24.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is an interesting game if you enjoy the replayability element of such games. In Dead Cells, you are in control of an experiment that has gone completely wrong. Set on an island that is cursed. While you are injured and not dead, your job is to take over the bodies, move around, explore, and fight against all enemies.
Each time the body or the host that you use is destroyed, you die and have to start all over again. The game has no checkpoints. You need to learn from your past mistakes, fight all enemies, and defeat the boss in one go. However, you will keep certain progress that you have unlocked, such as new paths, new levels that have been unlocked, and most of all, the abilities, weapons, and all mutations.
- Release Date: 7th August 2018
- Developer: Motion Twin
- Price: $24.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Enter the Gunegon
Enter the Gungeon is a fun bullet hell style dungeon crawler where you come across enemies who are looking not only to attack you, but also to hunt and loot the hidden treasure- a special gun that can kill the past. You will have to take down the disciples of the Gundead, who will do everything to stop you from getting the special Gunegon treasure.
There are lots of weapons for you to unlock as you take the journey to the secret treasure. Every gun in Enter the Gunegon is unique, so make sure to pick and use the guns that work the best for you.
- Release Date: 14th December 2017
- Developer: Dodge Roll
- Price: $14.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Darkest Dungeon
Here’s a gothic-style roguelike turn-based game for you to spend hours upon hours. Your goal is to train various heroes for the battles that take place in forests, ruined crypts, and caves. Apart from the enemies, you will also face other elements, such as famine, disease, and the dark.
There are various monsters for you to deal with, and you can choose from 16 or more playable heroes. Darkest Dungeons also has elements like replayability, character permadeath, and procedural dungeons.
- Release Date: 18th January 2018
- Developer: Red Hook Studios
- Price: $24.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Slay the Spire
Want to have a fun roguelike experience? Slay the Spire is a card-based game where you pull out cards from a deck that you have built to fight against the enemies and stand at the top. You can choose between a safe path or a risky path- the choice is yours.
As you battle around, you will unlock various relics that can help enhance and power up your deck of cards. However, when it comes to relics, some of them can be extremely difficult to get hold of.
- Release Date: 6th June 2019
- Developer: Mega Crit
- Price: $24.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Balatro
Following the path of Slay the Spire, Balatro is another deck-building roguelike game for the Nintendo Switch. Following the poker card game style, Balatro lets you create and build a powerful card deck that will help you put out crazy combos and eventually find a way to defeat the big bosses.
- Release Date: 20th February 2024
- Developer: Playstack
- Price: $14.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
Here is an interesting survival game where you play as Isaac, who has found a secret labyrinth right under his house. It is your job now to hunt for the treasure, but at the same time, beware of the creepy monsters that will be looking for you.
With the elements of a dungeon crawler and shoot-em-up, the game changes every time you play. What makes this game replayable is the 11000 unique room configurations that have endless enemies, challenges, secrets, and items.
- Release Date: 17th March 2017
- Developer: Nicalis
- Price: $39.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Rogue Legacy 2
Here’s a rogue-lite game where you are tasked with spending the inheritance that was given to you by growing the family manor, and at the same time, giving your children a chance to fight the enemies. The roguelike elements kick in when you give your children unique abilities and traits that they can use in different battles. The game lets you choose how you like to play- there is no defined step or way to progress through the game.
Every adventure is unique whenever you enter the kingdom. And yes, if you have played the previous Rogue Legacy 1 game, this new one has been improved in many ways and deserves some play time if you haven’t already.
- Release Date: 9th November 2022
- Developer: Cellar Door Games Ltd
- Price: $24.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Spelunky 2
Love exploring? Here’s Spelunky 2 with the explorers now, on the moon! The game has various challenges that can be completed either solo or with 4 four friends to look for various mysteries. This sequel to the roguelike game now offers players more areas to explore, more characters to play as, more traps to use, and above all, new ways to interact with different items.
If you haven’t played Spelunky 1, there’s no problem; you can start with the sequel right away. But, if you are someone who wants to play the first one, do give it a play before or after you play Spelunky 2.
- Release Date: 26th August 2021
- Developer: BlitWorks
- Price: $19.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Ember Knights
Ember Knights is a fast-paced action rogue-lite game that can be played with 4 players via the local co-op game mode. The game requires you to make use of powerful weapons that can be modified and used accordingly to take the enemies down. What makes Ember Knights unique is the various builds that can be created. You can choose from 6 weapons, 9 weapon modification types per weapon, 17 skills, and 85 unique relics.
There are 60+ monsters for you to fight, but they all have unique attack types, so preparing your character with the best set of weapons is essential. So get battling with your friends on the Switch if you haven’t tried this game yet.
- Release Date: 18th July 2023
- Developer: Doom Turtle
- Price: $19.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Cult of the Lamb
Here’s a possessed lamb that was saved by a stranger from being sacrificed. Your goal is now to create and build up a cult that is loyal to the name of the stranger who saved you. Starting your cult might be interesting, but you need to be careful, as there are tons of false prophets out there that will try to put you down. Your goal is to attack the enemies and make sure to spread your cult far and wide so that it becomes a prosperous one.
- Release Date: 11th August 2022
- Developer: Massive Monster
- Price: $24.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors is no stranger when it comes to playing rogue-like games, be it on the PC or Switch. Vampire Survivors has all the roguelike elements with minimalist gameplay. The game requires survival. Yes, you have to survive through the various battles against enemies who are after you. You cannot hide or run away to escape the enemies. If you die, you can replay again, but you need to be better and have the right upgrades to survive till the end.
This fun game is also playable with up to 4 friends via the local co-op game mode! So get your friends, and try to survive virtual hell!
- Release Date: 17th August 2023
- Developer: Poncle
- Price: $4.99
- Platforms: Switch 1, Switch 2
- Download: eShop
Closing Thoughts
This concludes the list of all the best rogue-like games that you can enjoy on the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2. Which of these games are your favorite ones? List them out in the comments section below.
Explore More:
