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Nintendo's Indie World Showcase Reveals 20+ Indie Games, Led by City of None
Nintendo's October 28 Indie World showcase revealed more than 20 indie games, led by a new Celeste-team project, with Switch 2 as the main target and most dated titles arriving in 2027.
Nintendo's October 28 Indie World showcase packed more than 20 independent games into a roughly 15-minute broadcast, with Switch 2 clearly set as the lead platform. The biggest reveal was City of None, a new project from one of the co-creators of Celeste, and most of the dated lineup lands in 2027.
What was announced
Nintendo ran the pre-recorded presentation on October 28 at 7:00 AM PT, covering new announcements and updates for games on Switch 2 and Switch. Gameluster described a release calendar that runs from same-day launches into spring 2027, with the Switch 2 treated as the primary target.
The headline reveal was City of None from Extremely OK Games, the studio behind Celeste. Nintendo describes it as an action and puzzle platforming adventure set across five city sectors, each with its own four-colour palette. Gameluster noted it is the studio's first project since Earthblade, which was canceled after disputes over the Celeste IP. It is due on Switch 2 and Switch in 2027.
Other headliners included Tenjutsu, a beat 'em up with roguelike elements from Deepnight Games and a former Dead Cells director, published by Devolver Digital for Switch 2 in 2027. Threads of Time, developed by Riyo Games and published by Balor Games, is a turn-based RPG with 2.5D pixel art built on Unreal Engine 5, also coming to Switch 2 and Switch in 2027.
Key details
- Showcase: October 28, 2026, 7:00 AM PT, about 15 minutes, pre-recorded
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 (primary) and Nintendo Switch
- Scale: more than 20 games, per Gameluster and Nintendo's roundup
- Featured titles: City of None (Extremely OK Games), Tenjutsu (Deepnight Games, Devolver Digital), Threads of Time (Riyo Games, Balor Games)
- Near-term dates: Raccoin: Chaos Max Edition and Tanuki: Pon's Summer receive Switch 2 editions on November 10, 2026
- 2027 dates: Petal Runner, a Switch 2 console exclusive, on March 8; Dumpster Gang on Switch 2 in March; Haunted Paws on Switch 2 and Switch in May
- Demos: free eShop demos for Haunted Paws, Petal Runner, Raccoin and Winds of Viridia, with Bao Bao's Cozy Cleaning Services launching the same day
- Missing or unconfirmed: pricing was not part of the coverage I reviewed, and some titles were announced only for 2027 without a specific date
What it means for developers
- Switch 2 is the default target. Most of the showcase was built around Switch 2, with the original Switch as a secondary platform. Plan your build and QA around the newer hardware first.
- Input features are part of the pitch. Dumpster Gang and Raccoin support Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, and several co-op titles use GameShare. Decide early whether these fit your design, because they are visible in how Nintendo presents games.
- Demos are a low-cost test. Four titles had free eShop demos available on showcase day. A demo lets you test your hook with real players well before launch.
- Showcase and launch are far apart. Most dated titles arrive in 2027. A spot in a showcase is a milestone, not a sales event, so plan funding and marketing for a long runway.
- A modern engine can serve a retro look. Threads of Time pairs 2.5D pixel art with Unreal Engine 5, a reminder that the art style and the tech stack are separate decisions.
Sources
Cover image: Winds of Viridia key art, © Shark Jump.
