Get spooky with the best horror games out now for the Switch
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You probably thought that since Nintendo is such a family-friendly game company, there wouldn't be much in the way of horror for the Switch. However, there are a few solid horror titles available right now, with more iconic horror characters and brand new titles on the way. So don't count the Switch out in this game genre and keep and eye out for what's to come. If you love horror games, these are the best ones available on Nintendo Switch.
★ Featured favorite
Layers of Fear: Legacy
Possibly the best horror title to come to the Switch so far, Layers of Fear: Legacy traps you in a lonely Victorian-era house with a protagonist whose sanity is slowly deteriorating. As you move between the present and past, you'll see what it is that makes your POV protagonist lose his mind. Are those painting really moving, or are you just losing it? I'd keep the lights on for this one; it's really going to scare you.
Childhood fears
Little Nightmares Complete Edition
Staff Favorite
This horror brings your childhood fears of monsters, darkness, dolls, and more to life as you try to get out of this vessel where you are hunted by giant creatures. Solve the puzzles to escape each room and get closer to your freedom without being eaten. The cute animation and unique style make this a title worth mentioning.
Horror in the asylum
Outlast: Bundle of Terror
Nintendo Switch's re-release of this horror adventure game is not going to make things easy for you. As a journalist investigating a murder that took place at an asylum, you're walking down dark hallways, revealing bloody scenes, and being chased by crazed inmates around every corner. The worst part is that you don't have any weapons to protect yourself — you're just a journalist, after all. When things go completely dark, you have your trusty camcorder to help you see the horror that awaits you. Don't overuse it though... batteries don't last forever.
The classic
Resident Evil Revelations Collection
Resident Evil was the first horror game I ever played and the first game I played all the way through to the end. Revelations and Revelations 2 are interim games that take place between the main titles. Revelations takes place between Resident Evil 4 and 5 and follows Jill Valentine on an abandoned cruise ship while Revelations 2 takes place between Resident Evil 5 and 6 and follows Claire Redfield on an abandoned prison island. The two games tie up some loose ends from the franchise and give you some more good old-fashioned Resident Evil fun.
A lesson in horror
Detention
Detention takes hints from Asian horror to put you in the front seat of a disturbing chain of events that leads to some seriously dark stuff. Though the gameplay itself isn't particularly difficult, the atmosphere is completely immersive. You control a student trapped at a school that was recently evacuated due to a... typhoon? Only typhoons don't turn people into a flesh-eating Lingered or leave curses on walls written in blood.
Blind terror
Perception
In Perception, you play the role of a blind woman trying to uncover the mystery of a recurring nightmare by exploring a haunted mansion. Through echolocation, you're able to see glimpses of your surroundings. Tapping your cane on the ground as you walk reveals outlines of objects. This creepy mansion also has a horrifying presence that will kill you if you make a sound when it's nearby.
Horror for kids
Luigi's Mansion 3
Join the classic Mario crew on their horror adventure with Luigi as the star! This is a kid-friendly, ghost hunting horror game. Play the story mode to save your friends from the big bad ghost himself, King Boo, or, play with family and friends in a multiplayer mode with new mini-games.
$58 at Amazon $60 at Best Buy $60 at Nintendo
Hard to forget
Oxenfree
Oops — You've opened up a ghost rift when you were partying with your stepbrother and friends. What do you do now? In Oxenfree that's totally up to you as the story and your relationships with the other game characters changes based on your decisions.
Hard to forget
Amnesia: Collection
Get three games in one with Amnesia: Collection including The Dark Descent, A Machine For Pigs, and Justine. As you start in The Dark Descent, you awake alone in a castle with no past memory. With no way to defend yourself, you must find a way to remember, and survive. Continue with new characters and new mysteries in A Machine For Pigs and Justine.
What are you afraid of?
There is nothing quite as fun as a video game that can scare the pants off of you. It's a bit like watching a horror movie but you actually get to become a part of the terror! No matter what your fear, there's sure to be a game to highlight it and bring on the excitement of facing it. Heighten your adrenaline by playing with sound up, or maybe even wearing headphones and with the lights out!
We'd highly recommend checking out all the games on this list, although we're partial to Layers of Fear: Legacy, which might be the best horror title to hit the Switch so far. Going through the journey of losing your mind brings a new level of immersion to your horror game experience. For horror with a touch of cute, we recommend the puzzle that is Little Nightmares Complete Edition. Can you figure out how to escape?