Nintendo's latest Indie World Showcase for December 2021 has come and gone, with the broadcast featuring a clutch of indie games old and new confirmed to be coming to a Nintendo Switch near you.
In this handy recap guide we've collected ever single game from the December 2021 'Nindie' presentation for your delight and amusement, including a trailer and official description, plus a link to our coverage, and the entire showcase archived at the bottom of the page.
There's also a poll at the end — feel free to let us know the games that caught your eye the most. You can also find a few games that were exclusive to the Japanese version of the showcase in our alternative Japanese Indie World Showcase round up:
Enjoy!
On this page: Round Up: Every Switch Game Announced In Nintendo's Indie World Showcase - December 2021
Every game announced in the Nintendo Indie World Showcase December 2021
Here's the full list of 19 games in the order they featured in the showcase.
Sea of Stars
- Developer: Sabotage Studio
- Release Date: Holiday 2022
This prequel to The Messenger tells the story of two Children of the Solstice – a Lunar Monk and a Solar Blade Dancer. Fans of classic RPGs with modernized elements will want to check out this game’s moving story filled with twists and turns, its fluid and engaging turn-based combat and its freely traversable world. Plus, it features music by the renowned Yasunori Mitsuda, who composed music for Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross and Xenoblade Chronicles 2!
Chrono Trigger-Inspired RPG 'Sea Of Stars' Sets Sail On Switch Holiday 2022
Aliisha: The Oblivion Of Twin Goddesses
- Developer: UNDERSCORE
- Release Date: Spring 2022
In this puzzle game, cooperation is key to safely navigating a deserted temple. Whether you undertake a solo outing or you explore the game as a two-player co-op journey with a friend, you’ll need twin sisters Aisha and Lisha to work together by exchanging clues and operating devices that can help you go deeper inside the temple. But be careful – the temple is filled with all sorts of menacing monsters and treacherous traps, some of which can trigger different endings. The heartfelt music, coupled with the emotional story, will complement your journey toward uncovering the secrets residing within.
Switch-Exclusive Co-op Adventure 'Aliisha: The Oblivion Of Twin Goddesses' Launches In Spring 2022
Loco Motive
- Developer: Robust Games
- Release Date: Summer 2022
Climb aboard the Reuss Express and investigate the suspicious death of Lady Unterwald in this single-player point-and-click comedy adventure. You’ll play as a straitlaced lawyer, an amateur detective and an undercover agent at different points in the story. Along the way, you’ll meet a fully voiced cast of quirky characters and solve head-scratching puzzles to prove your innocence. Figure out whodunnit ... and what loco motive inspired them to murder in the first place.
Loco Motive, A New Comedy Adventure From Chucklefish, Announced For Switch
Afterlove EP
- Developer: Pikselnesia
- Release Date: Summer 2022
From the creative director of What Comes After and Coffee Talk comes a stirring narrative about love, loss and lyricism. Set in Jakarta, Indonesia, Afterlove EP focuses on young musician Rama, who struggles to compose music after his girlfriend Cinta passes away. A mix tape of visual novel, rhythm game and narrative adventure, Afterlove EP challenges you to complete an EP of music to fulfill a promise made to Cinta. There are multiple endings based on the choices you make, as well as an original soundtrack from Indonesian band L’alphalpha and striking art direction from Soyatu.
Afterlove EP Is A 'Mix-Tape Visual Novel' That's Coming To Switch Next Summer
Dungeon Munchies
- Developer: maJAJa
- Release Date: 15th December 2021
If you’ve got the munchies, then this 2D side-scrolling action platformer should definitely satisfy your craving. With the help of the undead Necro-Chef Simmer, you’ll hunt down monsters, then cook and eat them! There are around 100 dishes that provide various abilities. Mix and match to get the right meal for your playstyle.
Dungeon Munchies Has You Cook Enemies For Weapons, And Is Out Today
Figment 2: Creed Valley
- Developer: Bedtime Digital Games
- Release Date: February 2022
Make your way through a rhythmic world set in the human mind in this musical puzzle-adventure game. Nightmares are spreading chaos everywhere in this sequel to the award-winning game Figment; it’s up to you to put an end to their fearsome schemes. Play solo or locally* with a friend as you wield your trusty sword in engaging combat, manipulate environments to solve compelling puzzles and have symphonic showdowns against some musically menacing bosses.
Figment 2: Creed Valley Will Delve Back Into Our Musical Minds Soon, Demo Out Now
Let's Play! Oink Games
- Developer: Bedtime Digital Games
- Release Date: 15th December 2021
A collection of board games from developer Oink Games is coming to Nintendo Switch. Go on thrilling and risky treasure hunts in Deep Sea Adventure. Become the biggest investor in Startups. Catch the “sketchy” rogue and don’t get caught in A Fake Artist Goes to New York. Recover supplies with your fellow astronauts to survive in Moon Adventure. The games are designed to be easy to understand while capturing the feel of their original tabletop versions. You can play all the games locally and online with friends near and far!
Let's Play! Oink Games Brings Four Beloved Tabletop Games To Switch Today
Endling - Extinction Is Forever
- Developer: Herobeat Studios
- Release Date: Spring 2022
As the last mother fox, you’ll need to keep your three cubs alive and lead them to safety in a world ravaged by humanity. In this game blending stealth, survival and adventure, you’ll make your way through devastated environments to reach the one place on Earth where humans can’t hurt you. In the end, how many of your cubs survive the perilous journey is up to you
Endling - Extinction Is Forever Will Start Its Quest For Survival In Spring 2022
OlliOlli World
- Developer: Roll7
- Release Date: 8th February 2022
Flip and flow through the vivid and vibrant world of Radlandia, meeting colorful characters as you grind, trick and air your way to discover the mystical skate gods on your quest for Gnarvana. Traverse a delightful and weird world as you take on missions, challenges and make new friends along the way.
You Can Pre-Order OlliOlli World Now, Ahead Of Its February 2022 Release
River City Girls 2
- Developer: WayForward
- Release Date: Summer 2022
WayForward is back with the sequel to the acclaimed beat-’em-up River City Girls. There’s trouble once again in River City, with higher stakes, meaner streets and even more over-the-top humor. Take control of one of six characters, including returning powerhouses Kyoko and Misako. River City Girls 2 features new moves, enemies, areas and items … not to mention branching paths, as well as a new soundtrack by the first game’s composer Megan McDuffee. Get the fists flying solo, or team up with a friend locally or online.
River City Girls 2 Gets Awesome New Trailer Ahead Of Summer Release
Parkasaurus
- Developer: Washbear Studio
- Release Date: Spring 2022
Parkasaurus is a dinosaur tycoon management simulation where you take care of your dinosaurs by constructing well-designed exhibits, researching specialized technologies, and maximizing profits to expand into the ultimate dinosaur theme park. Do you favor development for guests or your dinosaurs?
Don't Starve Together
- Developer: Klei Entertainment
- Release Date: Spring 2022
Fight, farm, build and explore together in the standalone multiplayer expansion to the uncompromising wilderness survival game, Don’t Starve. Enter a strange and unexplored world full of odd creatures, hidden dangers and ancient secrets. Choose from over a dozen playable survivors, each with unique powers to help you unravel the mysteries of “The Constant.” Cooperate with your friends in a private game or find new friends online. From Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. PT to Dec. 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, Nintendo Switch Online members can download and try out the original Don’t Starve: Nintendo Switch Edition game in the latest Game Trial.
Don't Starve Together Finally Seeks Survival On Switch Next Spring
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
- Developer: Team Chicory
- Release Date: 15th Dec 2021
A painting adventure game about trying to be somebody, Chicory: A Colorful Tale takes place in a coloring book world where you can draw on anything. Use your painting powers to explore new places, solve puzzles, help your friends and change the world. Chicory, superstar artist and wielder of the Brush, is missing, and all the color in the land vanished with her. It’s up to you, Chicory’s number one fan, to pick up the Brush and fill in for her. It’s a big job, but you’re ready for it … probably!
Indie Darling Chicory: A Colorful Tale Is On The Switch, Right Now
Baby Storm
- Developer: Baby Corp.
- Release Date: 21st January 2021
Baby Storm is a cooperative party game. Watch over unpredictable kids as they unleash chaos in your kindergarten! Maintain order, run, clean and feed your way to the highest score, in solo or up to 4 players!
Become The Best Babysitter In The Universe In The Superbly-Named 'Baby Storm'
GRIME
- Developer: Akupara Games
- Release Date: Summer 2022
If you've been wondering what your favorite streamers have to say about GRIME, wonder no longer! Crush your foes with living weapons and consume their essence with your sentient black hole! GRIME is a fast and unforgiving soulslike metroidvania coming soon to Nintendo Switch.
Gerda: A Flame In Winter
- Developer: PortaPlay
- Release Date: 2022
When the snow stops falling, the small Danish village of Tinglev will no longer be the same. Walk the path of Gerda as her quiet life is turned upside down during the World War 2 occupation of her home. Choose where to go, how to act, and who to trust in this intimate narrative RPG-lite experience inspired by real life events.
Timelie
- Developer: Urnique Studios
- Release Date: 15th December 2021
Every second matters in Timelie, a stealth puzzle adventure that lets you control time like a media player. Perceive future events to plan your escape strategy from the past, sneak past enemies and manipulate time in this companionship journey featuring a mysterious cat and a little girl with precognitive powers. Control both the girl and the cat simultaneously, timing their movements and actions to complement each other, escape detection, distract enemies and ultimately escape the world they’re trapped in.
Behind The Frame: The Finest Scenery
- Developer: Silver Lining Studios
- Release Date: Spring 2022
Guide brush strokes and solve a variety of puzzles to help an aspiring artist complete her masterpiece amid her brusque neighbor’s gaze and his pesky cat. As her painting starts to take shape, uncover an emotional tale of chance and artistry revealed behind unrelated yet familiar moments.
Behind The Frame: The Finest Scenery Brings Its Ghibli-esque Animated Story To Switch In 2022
OMORI
- Developer: OMOCAT, LLC
- Release Date: Spring 2022
Travel back and forth between two strange and vibrant worlds, each one brimming with colorful friends and foes, to uncover a forgotten past. You’ll experience an unconventional story and turn-based battle system, supplemented by warm illustrations from renowned artist OMOCAT, who also produced, wrote, directed and coded much of the game.
Nintendo Indie World Showcase December 2021 Presentation
That's all folks! Let us know which games took your fancy in the poll below and in the comments:
Comments 45
Sea of Stars and River City Girls 2 are at the top of my list. Interested in Omori as well, but not as much as the other two.
I missed the direct but wow that's a lot of games
Where on earth is Sports Story
River City girls 2, Omori and especially Sea of Stars!
The Messenger is one of my favorite games of all time, so a prequel, no matter what form, is top of my list!
Endling made me tear up just watching the trailer - definitely going to give it a try!
And cue the whining about Silksong….
Was hoping Sable would show up here...
I can't believe Mitsuda is only 49 and he's been composing music for games since Chrono Trigger
Omori is top priority.
River City Girls 2 is second place.
Afterlove EP, despite being a game style I've seen before, rounds out the top three ❤
Gerda was the most intriguing for me.
Afterlove EP reminds me SO MUCH of Given, but straight.
Mainly GRIME on my watchlist.
I'd prefer more of the same in regards to the Messenger but I'll still add Sea of Stars to it as well.
River City Girls 2 looks great but it’s months out, the rest of the stuff was really underwhelming.
Was hoping for details on Silksong, Shredders Revenge and Sports Story.
Sea of stars looks amazing.
Really enjoyed Chicory on PS5. Highly recommended.
Those presenters were annoying as hell
Sea of Stars easily is on my radar.
This showcase was definitely better than the last few. I was especially interested in OMORI. If Nintendo won't give us a new Mother game, we can have this instead.
Windjammers 2... where are youuuuuuu?
Nothing I hoped to see but still quite a lot to turn my head its way. Sea of Stars, Aliisha, Afterlove EP, Dungeon Munchies, Endling, Loco Motive, Gerda, Timelie, Behind the Frame, OMORI... and even Figment is getting a sequel! So many enticing experiences promised.
Sea of Stars and Omori got my attention
I like tycoon games like RCT3, so Parkasaurus has peaked my interest... seems to be highly regarded on steam too, so hopefully runs well on Switch.
Endling looks good too, but sounds potentially heartbreaking!
Nice to see OlliOlli and River City Girls but we knew about these already.
Nothing new that caught my eye. Every other Indie Direct has had at least one or two new reveals or stealth drops that I have bought.
Worst one so far for me but I understand that some will love it. There's a sale tomorrow anyway.
@Luffymcduck It's coming out on 20th January.
Loving the look of Afterlove ep
@Matty1988 the devs already said it was delayed to 2022
What an interesting presentation.
I mean, Nintendo seems to have a liking for showing the artistically-inclined games, don't they? Not that the Switch doesn't get demanding Unreal indie games, but when I see too much of these games, there is also a small desire of seeing something... bigger. Fortunately Aliisha and GRIME seem to be aiming for that, I think.
They're definitely artistically beautiful though, looking like quality experiences. Song of the Sea and OMORI had me excited, and River City Girls 2 was a pleasant surprise
The highlights for me were Sea of Stars, Loco Motive, Gerda (those visuals!), Behind the Frame and Omori. I liked the look of Figment 2 too, but haven’t played the first one. Would anybody recommend that one?
Sea of Stars looks amazing! But I don't like turn based combat... I'm looking forward to it's soundtrack. Gerda: A Flame in Winter looks interesting for it's story. It reminds me of the books and movies I've read and seen of the German occupation of the Netherlands. River City Girls 2 looks to be even more fun then the first game. Which...I still have to play.
I'm glad that I went into this Direct without any hopes or expectations. It saved me from disappointment and made me appreciate the games that were shown more.
Great direct! God there was some goodness for every receptor.
Sea of Stats looks top in general. River City Girls 2 for the music and the action. Endling for heavy emotional vibes. Omori for the art style. I could go on…
@Mattock1987 bUt wHeRe WaS sOlKsInG gAeM at?!?!
@Clyde_Radcliffe THANK YOU!
Sea of Stars is probably in my top 5 games I'm most excited for next year in general. I loved The Messenger and I'm a huge fan of retro JRPGs, so it looks right up my alley. River City Girls 2 also looks really fun, I enjoyed the first game so I can't wait to try the sequel. I'd say Parkasaurus rounds out my top 3 since I like Zoo Tycoon-style games, I got that one on Steam but I don't really like to sit at my PC to play games these days. Having it on Switch would be really great.
A whole lot of meh with this one. Not sure if it was necessary.
Since The Messenger is in my top ten games of all time I have to play its predecessor!
I really liked it. A lot of variety of games,, Dungeon Munchies seemed to be my personal favorite.
Sea of Stars very tempting. I really liked the art and idea of Afterlove but unfortunately I'm awful at rhythm games. Aliisha also looked interesting.
Sea of Stars and Loco Motive are really it for me but some others to keep an eye on.. Not a lot of weird kooky games this time around but still a delight to watch.
If a Sea of Stars was A Sky Full of Stars then I would have died from happiness. Omori is the only thing I'm interested in. Omocat did the art for alot of the DDLC clothing I own. So disappointing there were no visual novels though.
@JustMonika Visual novels have a very limited audience, it wouldn't make sense to include them here. Besides, it's difficult to persuade gamers to pick up a title already knowing it features almost no gameplay, and the vast majority of the experience is reading. I haven't played a single visual novel title that wouldn't benefit from being built within an adventure game, with a world to explore, new stories to find in NPC's, additional chapters hidden in secret areas, etc. Look at Disco Elysium, that took the visual novel and elevated it into something truly special... until they all do that, I doubt we'll see too many in showcases, even if they have absolutely incredible stories!
Man, pretty disappointed with this one. Surely lots of games for other people to enjoy but not for me sadly :/.
The most exciting thing was Parkasaurus, but since that'll be releasing in Spring, i'll probably have my Steam Deck by then hopefully, so i would play that there anyway i think.
@Shiiva I play visual novels because I'm addicted to anime and I just consider most of them as an extension to that. I just got into them this year thanks to Doki Doki Literature Club Plus. I play them for 3 main reasons. Alot of them have been adapted into anime that I've watched and now I'd like to experience those ones with more content. Second reason is for romance routes.. I love that stuff. The third reason would be if it has horror or mystery elements involved. Now there are ones with RPG elements such as Love Esquire, 13 Sentinels and Re:Zero - The Prophecy of the Throne. So some of them do mix it up for sure.
Kinda odd that Chicory: A Colorful Tale (and it's "today" release date) wasn't given more space to shine, as it's one of the Top 10 games of 2021 in many lists, and it's such a natural fit for the Switch.
I never set my expectation super high with the indie world showcase (since often I've heard of the games before) but this one was pretty good, it had a few games that caught my eye.
Loco Motive in particular looks fun.
Excited about all of these: Sea of Stars
Afterlove EP
Dungeon Munchies
Figment 2: Creed Valley
OlliOlli World
Parkasaurus
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Baby Storm
GRIME
Timelie
Some will be day 1s probably
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