Nintendo Switch Nindies Spring Showcase 2018 trailers and release dates

Even though we just had ourselves a Nintendo Direct earlier this month, Nintendo is back at it again with another showcase of upcoming titles, this time highlighting indie games coming out for the Nintendo Switch. While today’s short presentation introduced us to some new titles, fan favorites like Mark of the Ninja, Lumines and The Banner Saga trilogy will also be making their way to the console.

Nintendo’s Nindies program launched last year in an effort to get more independent games onto the console. “Since the launch of Nintendo Switch, we’ve continued to be blown away with the amount of high-quality games coming from our passionate Nindie developers, and the positive fan reception for those experiences,” said Damon Baker, Nintendo of America’s Senior Manager for Publisher & Developer Relations. This year, the program continues its success with the announcement of 14 new games coming out to the Switch in 2018.

If you missed the livestream above, here’s a roundup of what was announced.

Mark of the Ninja Remastered

This stealth action game is a high-definition remaster of the 2012 classic from Klei Entertainment. Players take control of a ninja who sneaks, stabs and outsmarts enemies in a handful of expertly designed 2D levels. Mark of the Ninja Remastered comes out this spring.

Fantasy Strike

In a world where martial arts and magic mix together, players will use Fantasy Strike’s simplified controls to pull of special moves and combos in local and online brawls. You can slug it out with friends when the game comes out this summer.

Just Shapes & Beats

Just Shapes & Beats is a “musical bullet hell” that has players trying to stay alive to the beat of the music alone, or in online multiplayer. The game will feature music from 20 chiptunes artists and will be a timed exclusive on the Switch this summer.

Garage

This gory game inspired by VHS-era B-movies launches first on the Nintendo Switch this spring. The top-down shooter, published by Tiny Build, has players slaying the undead with various weapons as they try to stay alive.

Pool Panic

Everything is a game of pool in Pool Panic, published by Adult Swim Games. In over 100 levels, players will take aim in cities, jungles and deserts solo or with up to four friends in local multiplayer when the game launches later this year.

Bomb Chicken

Bomb Chicken is an absurd action platformer that has you, unsurprisingly, playing as a bomb-laying chicken. Use your bombs to defeat enemies and solve puzzles when the game launches first on the Switch later this summer.

Lumines Remastered

The classic, music-based puzzle game comes to the Nintendo Switch this spring with an HD remake. This version will feature a single-player mode and local multiplayer.

Reigns: Kings & Queens

Take control of your kingdom by swiping left and right on the various requests from the people of your kingdom. The Nintendo Switch version of Reigns: Kings & Queens will feature an exclusive local co-op multiplayer mode when it launches this spring.

Light Fall

Light Fall is a fast-paced platforming adventure game where players take control of the Shadow Core, a magical box that propels them throughout each of this game’s stages. The game also features a speedrun mode with global leaderboards. Light Fall will launch first on Nintendo Switch as a timed console exclusive this spring.

West of Loathing

West of Loathing is a wild west themed, goofy RPG filled with plenty of puzzles, puns and turn-based combat. It will hit Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive this spring.

Pode

Pode is a co-op puzzle game inspired by Norwegian art and culture. It will hit the Nintendo Switch this spring.

The Messenger

The Messenger is a unique side-scroller that lets players switch between an 8-bit and 16-bit look as they time-travel through this adventure. The game will feature a mix of upgrades, abilities and speedrunning opportunities when it launches this summer.

Bad North

Defend strongholds in this rogue-lite, real-time strategy game. Players can get their Viking battles on when Bad North launches first on the Nintendo Switch in the summer.

The Banner Saga 3

The conclusion to The Banner Saga trilogy will hit the Nintendo Switch this summer. The first two titles in the series will also come to the console, so players can the play through the entire mature and story-driven adventure completely on the Switch. Player choices will carry out throughout each of the three titles, just like the versions of the game on other platforms.