The Soulslike subgenre has grown into one of the most beloved styles in modern gaming. Spearheaded by FromSoftware, these titles are defined by challenging combat, stamina management, intricate level design, dark atmospheric storytelling, and punishing death mechanics. Playing these intense action RPGs on the portable Nintendo Switch adds an extra layer of appeal, allowing players to tackle brutal bosses anywhere.
While Nintendo's hybrid system may not have the graphical horsepower of other current-gen consoles, it boasts an incredible library of excellent 3D ports and exceptional 2D indie Soulslike titles. Here are the 20 best Soulslike games available on the Nintendo Switch.
Top 20 Soulslike Games on Nintendo Switch
1. Dark Souls: Remastered
The game that defined a genre, Dark Souls: Remastered brings the iconic world of Lordran to Nintendo Switch. Running at a stable 30 frames per second, this action RPG offers interconnected world design, unforgettable boss battles, and deep character customization. Experiencing the original masterpiece in handheld mode is essential for any fan of challenging games.
2. Hollow Knight
While technically a Metroidvania, Hollow Knight incorporates core Soulslike mechanics including corpse retrieval, environmental storytelling, and punishing boss fights. Exploring the ruined insect kingdom of Hallownest is a captivating journey filled with secrets, precise combat, and breathtaking hand-drawn art.
3. Blasphemous 2
Improving upon its predecessor in almost every way, Blasphemous 2 provides refined platforming, dynamic combat options, and diverse weapon choices. Set in a haunting world inspired by Spanish religious folklore, this dark 2D action game delivers satisfying parry mechanics and challenging boss encounters.
4. Salt and Sanctuary
Widely considered the pioneer of the 2D Soulslike format, Salt and Sanctuary translates formulas from Dark Souls into side-scrolling action seamlessly. Featuring a massive skill tree, dark fantasy lore, and deep build diversity, it remains a standout title on the Switch.
5. Tunic
Beneath the charming isometric visual style of Tunic lies a deeply challenging adventure that draws heavy inspiration from classic action RPGs and Soulslike combat. Players must navigate a mysterious land, deciphering an in-game manual while facing formidable enemies and clever puzzles.
6. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Set in a tragic, rain-drenched kingdom destroyed by a blight, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights blends beautiful visuals and an evocative soundtrack with tough combat. Defeated bosses join your cause as summonable spirits, providing flexibility in combat strategy.
7. Blasphemous
The original Blasphemous introduced players to the grim land of Cvstodia. Playing as The Penitent One, players navigate hack-and-slash combat, terrifying monsters, and intricate level design. Its grotesque pixel art style and unforgiving difficulty make it a genre landmark on Switch.
8. Remnant: From the Ashes
Often dubbed "Dark Souls with guns," Remnant: From the Ashes translates third-person shooter mechanics into a Soulslike structure. Featuring procedurally generated realms, cooperative play, and challenging bosses, it runs surprisingly well on Nintendo Switch hardware.
9. Death's Door
In Death's Door, you play as a crow whose job is harvesting souls. With isometric combat, precise dodge rolls, and tightly crafted dungeons, it offers a refined blend of Soulslike difficulty and Zelda-esque progression with a charming, melancholic tone.
10. Ashen
Focusing on a wanderer seeking a home, Ashen features open-world exploration, stamina-based combat, and passive multiplayer elements. Its minimalist aesthetic and focus on community building set it apart from darker entries in the genre.
11. Dead Cells
Combining Rogue-lite elements with fast-paced, dodge-heavy combat, Dead Cells demands quick reaction times and pattern recognition. While progression resets upon death, permanent upgrades and endless build combinations keep the experience rewarding.
12. Grime
Featuring a surreal, biomechanical world, Grime focuses on black hole-based parry mechanics to absorb enemy traits. This fast action RPG rewards aggressive playstyles and precise timing.
13. The Last Faith
Drawing obvious inspiration from Bloodborne, The Last Faith combines dark gothic horror with side-scrolling platforming. Players utilize a vast array of melee weapons, firearms, and spells to conquer grotesque monstrosities.
14. Moonscars
A dark, painterly 2D slasher, Moonscars tests player reflexes through demanding parry mechanics and high-risk combat. Its grim atmosphere and enigmatic storytelling appeal directly to hardcore fans of the genre.
15. Tails of Iron
Featuring hand-drawn visuals and narration by Doug Cockle, Tails of Iron tells the story of Redgi, heir to the Rat Throne, fighting against the Frog Clan. Combat requires carefully reading enemy telegraphs, parrying, and rolling.
16. Salt and Sacrifice
The follow-up to Salt and Sanctuary introduces Mage-hunting mechanics reminiscent of Monster Hunter alongside traditional 2D Soulslike exploration and crafting systems.
17. Vigil: The Longest Night
Blending lovecraftian horror with Taiwanese folklore, Vigil: The Longest Night features complex weapon trees and fast-paced 2D action combat within a sprawling, dark world.
18. Morbid: The Seven Acolytes
An isometric horror action RPG heavily inspired by Lovecraft and body horror aesthetics. Featuring a sanity system and tough boss encounters, Morbid: The Seven Acolytes offers a unique perspective on the genre.
19. Chronos: Before the Ashes
Serving as a prequel to Remnant: From the Ashes, this action RPG incorporates a unique mechanic where your protagonist ages one year every time you die, shifting your stats from physical traits to magical affinity.
20. Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption
A boss-rush title that flips character progression upside down. In Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption, you must sacrifice a stat or ability before fighting each boss, making every battle progressively harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best entry-level Soulslike game on Nintendo Switch?
Death's Door and Tunic are great entry points due to their charming visual styles and accessible difficulty curves, though both still offer formidable late-game challenges.
Can you play Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch?
No, Elden Ring is not available on Nintendo Switch. However, players looking for official FromSoftware titles can play Dark Souls: Remastered on the platform.
Does Dark Souls II or Dark Souls III run on Switch?
Currently, only Dark Souls: Remastered is available on Nintendo Switch. Dark Souls II and Dark Souls III have not been ported to the system.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer classic 3D dark fantasy adventures or tight 2D Metroidvania hybrids, the Nintendo Switch offers a remarkable lineup of Soulslike titles. From the genre-defining combat of Dark Souls: Remastered to independent gems like Hollow Knight and Blasphemous 2, challenging action RPGs thrive on Nintendo's handheld console.
