As much as Nintendo frames itself as a family-first gaming company, you may be surprised to know that there are quite a few horror-themed video games that players can currently download on the Nintendo Switch. One is even a title produced in-house as a first-party exclusive, with one of the company’s mascots at the helm of it. So, we’ve come up with a full list of what we believe are the 10 best horror games on the Nintendo Switch right now!
10 Best Horror Games on Nintendo Switch
Before getting started, it’s important to note that not all of these games are going to be outright survival horror or even games that may be considered scary. There is most definitely a game here for everyone, and each one finds its own perfect place within the horror genre in one way or the next. Let’s get started!
Luigi’s Mansion 3
What kind of horror-themed Switch list would this be if we didn’t start out with Nintendo’s own Luigi’s Mansion 3? It’s a gorgeously haunted game that really embodies a great Halloween and Ghostbusters-feeling world. This is a great game for horror fans both young and old.
Outlast
Turning directly to the more mature, Outlast is absolutely one of the most iconic horror games, giving the genre a new resurgence in the early 2010s. It’s a fun game of cat and mouse that’s supernatural and gory elements just can’t be matched.
Dead by Daylight
If you’re looking to play a nice scary game with friends, Dead by Daylight is a perfect choice. It does a great job of implementing characters and skins from other iconic horror films and games that make it a horror convention that lasts 365 days a year.
Resident Evil 4
There is no classic survival horror title quite like Resident Evil 4, with its setting, characters, and revolutionary POV, it just fits perfectly on the Switch. It’s a timeless title for sure.
Dying Light
If you want some “realism” in your horror, Dying Light does a great job of giving players something that feels real. Whether it’s the world, the maneuverability of your character, or just the heaviness of combat, you will feel the world around you. For better or worse.
Related: Best Horror Games on Oculus Quest 2
Bioshock
A title that helped in the resurgence of horror tiles around the days of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Bioshock is both parts horror as well as science-fiction. This game feels like it fits perfectly next to classic sci-fi titles such as Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It’s beautifully grim.
Metro 2033 Redux
An unorthodox horror, Metro 2033 perfectly captures what war does to the civilians caught in the middle, as well as the world around them. You’ll traverse dark locations with both humans and monsters lurking in their shadows.
Shadow Man Remastered
Though Shadow Man definitely feels like an action-platformer when playing, there’s no denying that this title is definitely a horror game. It normalizes the horror aspects which gives it a charm unlike any other you’d find in other titles. Though to our main character, the monsters and demons are just obstacles in his way, some are horrifying to encounter as a player.
MADiSON
Perhaps my favorite title on this list, MADiSON is one of the best and scariest games I’ve played in years. It plays like a horror film thanks to its perfected narrative and story elements, and its haunts are effective and unsettling from start to finish.
Alien: Isolation
If you’re a fan of the 1979 film, Alien, then Alien: Isolation is the game to play. It makes you feel like Ellen Ripley did, stalking dim corridors as Xenomorphs and androids make their presence known. It’s also canon, so it does connect to the overall plot of the film franchise.
That’s our list of the top 10 horror games on the Nintendo Switch! Be sure to check out some of our other horror lists if you’re hungry for more!
