There are a ton of games that come out on the Nintendo Switch console every week, and since the Switch has been out for a few years now, there's no shortage of games available to keep you entertained. But what if you're looking for a game with a unique visual art direction that's still quite fun to play? Don't worry! We have you covered with this list of our favorite artistic games for Switch.
Cuphead
Cuphead is a tough-as-nails, run-and-gun, action game that focuses heavily on challenging boss battles. Play as Cuphead and Mugman (two-player co-op) and take on bosses with a massive arsenal of guns, bullet types, and special moves. Cartoons from the 1930s inspire the art style, and it has a superb jazz soundtrack.
Don't let these cute animations fool you, this is a brutal action game filled with challenge. Winning these battles will take a lot of skill and even more patience.
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler is one of the most beautiful JRPGs that you'll find on the Switch. It has a completely distinctive take on visual style with a mix of pixel art and 3D graphics, along with some heavy vignetting around the edges. You'll take on the roles of eight different characters, each with their own story to tell. Any fans of JRPGs must check out Octopath Traveler.
Mix the old and the new with beautiful pixel art as well as 3D graphics. Each of these eight characters will lead you down a new path. See how it all connects.
OXENFREE
OXENFREE is a beautifully haunting and eerie game that will appeal to anyone who loves a good ghost story. You'll take on the role of Alex, a bright and rebellious teenager who mistakenly discovers a ghostly gate on an island. There are multiple mysteries to unravel in OXENFREE, which uncovers the dark past of the island while changing the course of your friends' lives.
Enjoy this supernatural thriller as you and your friends uncover mysteries. Can you and your friends discover what's going on with these ghosts?
OKAMI HD
OKAMI is one of the best action-adventure games of all time. Althought you appear to be a white wolf, you are actually a Japanese sun goddess, Amaterasu. Bring color and light back to Nippon through magic, Celestial Brush techniques, and other attacks. The game's distinctive sumi-e ink art style is stunning and even more breathtaking to behold on the Switch port's HD remaster, especially in TV mode.
This gorgeous ink art style of game is even more vivid in HD. Take control of the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu as she fights to bring life back to Nippon.
GRIS
Gris is a puzzle-platformer game about a young girl who is lost in her own world as she deals with painful experiences. Her dress changes appearance and grants her new abilities throughout the game, and as her story unfolds, you'll see things in an entirely new way. GRIS is an emotionally-evocative game with peaceful music and a playing experience void of danger. It's a true gem to behold.
This deep and peaceful puzzle adventure has a beautiful story to tell. Learn and grow with Gris and her abilities.
Hyper Light Drifter
Hyper Light Drifter takes you to a mysterious world that has fallen ill to a deadly sickness. It's up to you to find the cure and save everyone, but of course, it won't be easy. Take on the role of the Blade Caster, who must traverse a vast and ruined land that's full of danger and lost technology. The game utilizes a gorgeous 16-bit pixel art style that runs incredibly smoothly at 60 fps. There is also exclusive Nintendo Switch content.
Blade Caster makes his way through a ruined land in 16-bit style. Take down the deadly illness and save the world.
FURI
FURI combines sword fighting with a dual-stick bullet hell shooter. You'll engage in one-on-one duels with tough bosses, and then you'll need to use your dodging skills to avoid a mass array of bullets. The graphics in FURI are delightful with the vivid cel-shaded visuals and animation, and the shooter sequences are bright, mesmerizing, and flashy. This is definitely an interesting mix that works wonderfully.
A unique combo of sword and shooter battles. Take on the guardians and test your skills.
Hollow Knight
If you're a fan of Metroidvania-style games, then you need to have Hollow Knight in your collection. Everything in the game is hand-drawn in 2D style. As the titular Hollow Knight, you'll traverse twisting caverns, slash your way through plenty of enemies, as well as make some new friends. Upgrade your weapons and abilities and forge your own path.
Hollow Knight is a hand-drawn beauty of an adventure. Explore these stunning worlds as you work to solve the mysteries of the kingdom.
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is an adventure game that focuses on college dropout Mae, who returns to her family home in the crumbling mining town of Possum Springs. But things aren't the same as they were: her friends have grown and changed, leaves fall, the wind is colder, and strange things are happening. Night in the Woods features a whimsical and lush world with compelling characters and a great story.
A classic story of change and overcoming new experiences. Go on an adventure through your hometown and discover what the night brings.
Firewatch
Firewatch is an adventure game that is rich in story. It's 1989, and you're a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness. This particularly hot and dry summer has everyone on edge, but then you see something strange in the woods that draws you in. Explore the vast environment in this stunningly beautiful title, and make choices that will shape your narrative and relationships.
Go off the grid and explore the wilderness. You see an intriguing and strange sight; what you choose to do will change your fate.
Jotun: Valhalla Edition
This visually-pleasing, action-exploration game is themed after Norse mythology. You play Thora, a Viking warrior who died in an inglorious manner and must prove herself to the Gods to enter Valhalla. There are plenty of Norse elementals in Norse Purgatory, and you only have your massive two-handed ax to slay them. Everything in the game is hand-drawn in 2D style, so the remastered graphics just for the Switch make Jotun: Valhalla Edition an absolute visual feast. Are you worthy?
In this Norse mythology legend, you are a Viking warrior, ready to prove yourself to the Gods. Will you make it out of purgatory?
Darkest Dungeon
Craving a challenging roguelike adventure where every decision you make counts? Then Darkest Dungeon is a game you need to check out. Create your party and set out on a quest in randomly-generated dungeons to see how far you can go before everyone in the party falls. The game's graphics are distinctive due to the hand-drawn, gothic, crow-quill style — and things do get a bit bloody as you strategize a battle plan against hordes of demons.
Crawl the dungeons and take on monsters in this turn-based combat strategy adventure. Get the Collector's Edition and get all the DLC that comes with it.
Trüberbrook
Solve this 1960s sci-fi mystery in a beautifully-rendered world! Your vacation in a quaint German village turns upside-down when you find yourself experiencing strange things. The graphics in this game were made by hand and every bit was made to scale using the photogrammetry method, which gives it a realistic touch.
Set in the 1960s Cold War in Germany, this is a beautifully handmade adventure about self, love, friendship, and more.
Spirit of the North
In this gorgeous puzzle game, you play as a fox following captivating spirits. It features striking nature scenes, where the details may help you solve your puzzle.
With amazing scenery and ambient music to match, this peaceful puzzle will have you in bliss.
Aery
With mesmerizing geometric shapes and calming colors, this game was made for visual enjoyment. Explore this gorgeous world as a bird taking flight. No pressure, no mission, just flying.
With Aery you set to the skies just for the sake of relaxation and enjoyment. Give yourself a moment of peace.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's vast open world, you'll experience Hyrule like never before. There's plenty to take in and marvel in its wildly diverse climates and cultures.
Link returns 100 years after his last battle to find monsters and calamity have taken over the sweeping open world of Hyrule.
If we may make some suggestions ...
These are some of the best games on the Switch with a unique visual art style that sets them apart from your usual fare. There are plenty of great options here for every category.
If we may suggest some specific titles, Cuphead is one of our favorite artistic games for Switch because of its charming cartoon style, but also for its insanely-challenging stages and boss fights. Plus, there are a ton of different weapons and abilities to try to utilize for the best strategy.
Hollow Knight is another favorite because Metroidvania games are fantastic and an easy way to lose a few hours of your day. What's more, the graphics for Hollow Knight are superb.
Darkest Dungeon is also a good one, but it's not for the faint of heart. It's challenging and makes you think about your moves before you execute them because even a small mistake can cost you dearly. It's great for those who like a challenge and can appreciate the gothic art style.
