The Best Horror Games To Play On The Nintendo Switch

Nintendo has always been known for its family-friendly games, with every one of the Japanese video gaming company's consoles featuring a far greater number of E-rated titles than its competitor's offerings. But with the release of the Switch, Nintendo has proven that it too can offer a fair balance of kid-friendly and adult titles, with the current console offering a great variety of horror games.

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There are tons of great survival horror games for the Switch, with far more available here than any of Nintendo's previous consoles. Here are some great survival horror games that are available for the Switch.

Updated September 21, 2023, by Megan Smith: Horror games have been a prominent part of gaming for many years with players enjoying all sorts of different scary experiences. As October edges closer many players have decided they wish to have a month of horror to enjoy the spooky season. This can be enjoyed on a variety of platforms with players enjoying horror games on the Nintendo Switch also. Many of these games can also be enjoyed elsewhere such as on PC, but being able to have the horror directly in the player's hands can make for an intense experience. With that in mind, these are by far the best horror games on the Nintendo Switch that are more than just a player's simple survival horror experience.

15 Paratopic

The Nintendo Switch is a playground for short stories and Paratopic is no different as it has intrigued players across various platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. In this short horror title, the player takes control of three different characters whose stories will all intercept in some way while they explore this intricately designed world that feels as if it's on a VHS tape.

In a game masked with imagery in a world that somewhat looks like the player's own, a horror fanatic needs to try Paratopic which has been deemed as one of the best horror games to release recently.

14 Bioshock

Bioshock is by far one of the greatest first-person horror experiences that has brought on an audience that yearns for a fourth title. Though there hasn't been a new title mentioned yet, players can now experience all three of the games on the Nintendo Switch by purchasing the Bioshock collection.

The collection holds up fairly well on the six-year-old console with little to no stutters as well as making Bioshock a game that can be enjoyed on the go if players are willing to face their fears while in public.

13 Metro 2033 Redux

Continuing on the theme of first-person shooter horrors, Metro 2033 is a classic horror title that explores a post-apocalyptic Russia where there are dangers lurking in the darkness of the subways in which humans are now forced to survive.

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Metro 2033 Redux is a remastered version of the title that has been rebuilt with a better engine that has allowed it to even be enjoyed on the Switch. This classic has seen itself become one of the best horror games on the Nintendo Switch due to its incredible story and tense moments as players explore deeper into the subways where the mutants lurk.

12 Don't Starve

Besides first-person horror experiences, the Nintendo Switch is also a brilliant platform for players to enjoy survival horrors as well. Don't Starve is a brilliant example of this as it has been previously enjoyed on a wide range of platforms including the PS Vita which has made its transformation to the Switch that much easier.

While it may not be as outwardly scary as other horror titles, there is still something mortifying about the dangers of the darkness and the rush to get home before the night arrives—not to mention the other monsters players will need to face.

11 Signalis

Signalis is a classic pixel horror title that is set in a futuristic world where humanity has taken control of the entire solar system. Playing as Elster has she awakens in a world she doesn't remember with the one goal of finding her partner.

While adventuring into the unknown players will need to stay on their toes as all sorts of dangers could be lurking within. The sci-fi elements of this title match nicely with its survival horror genre making Signalis a must for anyone looking for a horror game to enjoy on their Switch.

10 Amnesia Collection

Many folks cite Amnesia: The Dark Descent as being one of the best survival horror games of the past decade, as it in many ways reinvigorated the genre by introducing plenty of new ideas and mechanics into the survival horror genre back when it launched in 2010.

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Ten years later, the game continues to hold its own with the addition of Amnesia: Justine and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs to the collection; however, The Dark Descent easily stands out as the biggest highlight.

9 Outlast

It's hard to believe that Outlast is now seven years old, with it originally released back in 2013. Taking place within an abandoned insane asylum, this game is easily one of the most aggressive and stressful horror games ever. Since its release, many other games have gone on to attempt to copy Outlast's horror magic with most failing to live up to the original.

Outlast is also one of the most impressive 3rd party ports to the Switch, with the game running at a buttery smooth 60 frames-per-second with little noticeable graphical downgrades.

8 Alien: Isolation

Alien Isolation is another awesome Switch port that shouldn't be overlooked, as Alien Isolation is an incredibly scary game, with it serving as somewhat of a follow-up to the original 1979 sci-fi horror film. Thrown into the role of Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley's daughter, the player must escape from a Xenomorph that has found its way onto their ship.

The game's terror comes from the Xenomorph's incredibly high intelligence level and lack of weaponry for the player to defend themselves with, which makes for an unforgettable horror experience.

7 Detention

Detention is by far the most unique horror on this list, as it decides to go for a much different graphical style than most others. Additionally, Detention steps away from the third dimension entirely and instead presents itself as a 2D side-scroller, but it still packs in the scares.

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Detention is a classic survival horror game through and through, with some elaborate level design and truly horrifying visuals. Set in a Japanese high school, Detention offers a very different experience that leaves players asking for more.

6 Resident Evil 4

At this point, Resident Evil 4 has been released on pretty much every console to speak of. The Switch version of Resident Evil 4 is unsurprisingly exactly what fans would expect, which is one of the best survival horror games of the past two decades.

With one of the most loved horror games finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch, players can now enjoy the scares and the intense action anywhere on the go. Well, as long as they have the battery life left on their console.