After tackling the best party games on Switch in 2024, the current launch of Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Membership being as superb as it’s pushed me to put in writing about what I contemplate the very best visible novels and journey video games on Swap to play proper now. I’ve included each as a result of some video games are pure visible novels whereas some are journey video games (and never visible novels). This listing has fairly just a few video games from throughout areas and launch years, and I hope you discover one thing you find yourself loving right here. As normal, this listing is in no specific order.
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Membership ($49.99) + Famicom Detective Membership: The Two-Case Assortment
When Nintendo not solely remade each Famicom Detective Membership video games again in 2021, I couldn’t consider it. They had been superb journey video games, and my solely criticism actually was the dearth of a bodily launch again then. Quick ahead to 2024 and Nintendo has launched Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Membership bodily and digitally as a brand-new entry within the collection, and I’ve been floored enjoying it. Not solely does it really feel like a real collection entry which could be a unfavourable to some, however this could be one of the lavish productions I’ve seen in a sport like this ever. I don’t need to get into spoilers, however the ending is shockingly good and it actually justifies its M score. I positively didn’t anticipate to have a brand new Famicom Detective Membership sport in 2024 on my high video games of the yr listing, however Nintendo managed to try this with Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Membership. Obtain the demo now.
For those who’d relatively play the primary two video games earlier than Emio, seize the Famicom Detective Membership: The Two-Case Assortment. In case you are comfortable with some old-fashioned design and gameplay for journey video games, you’ll adore these.
VA-11 Corridor-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Motion ($14.99)
For those who’ve been studying the few “finest Swap video games” lists I’ve been doing this yr, you’ve seen me characteristic VA-11 Corridor-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Motion twice earlier than already, however as you understand, I’m not going to move up a possibility to put in writing about considered one of my favourite video games of all time. VA-11 Corridor-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Motion is notable for its story, music, aesthetic, and most-importantly the characters. Having performed it a number of occasions over time on each system, it additionally feels proper at residence on Swap, and is a sport I like to recommend to everybody actually. I don’t care in case you like level and click on journey video games or not. Go forward and blend drinks after which change some lives.
The Home in Fata Morgana: Goals of the Revenants Version ($39.99)
The Home in Fata Morgana: Goals of the Revenants Version is the definitive version of considered one of my favourite tales in any medium. It consists of the unique sport and way more to ship a surprising model of a masterpiece in storytelling. This one is a pure visible novel, and I’m glad that after its many releases, it discovered plenty of success on Swap, the place it performs finest. If you wish to play one thing that can stick with you for a very long time, this gothic horror expertise will do way more. It additionally occurs to have a number of the most unimaginable music ever.
Espresso Speak Episode 1+2 ($12.99 + $14.99)
Okay this one is dishonest because the video games are offered individually on the eShop and the bodily releases I imported from Japan are additionally separate, however since there’s a bundle of each video games offered in North America on Swap, I’ve included each Espresso Speak video games as one entry right here. I really like them each, and whereas they didn’t hit the identical highs as VA-11 Corridor-A, Espresso Speak completely satiated what I wished from a sport set in a espresso store, and delivered a really stress-free expertise with an ideal story. For those who get pleasure from espresso and listening to fascinating folks with nice pixel artwork and music, that is for you.
Kind Moon’s visible novels: Tsukihime, Destiny/keep evening, and Mahoyo (Variable)
That is one other entry the place I’m dishonest. I wasn’t positive if I wished to incorporate simply Tsukihime or Witch on the Holy Night time (Mahoyo), however then the current launch of Destiny/keep evening Remastered made issues even tougher. As a substitute of worrying an excessive amount of, I’ve included all three as important visible novels on this article on Swap. They’re all very lengthy however superb. For those who’ve wished to pattern a basic visible novel, go along with Destiny/keep evening, however I like to recommend Tsukihime’s remake on Swap to everybody. Witch on the Holy Night time might be the sport to play after these two by way of high quality.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo ($19.99)
Sq. Enix’s PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo jogs my memory of Nintendo’s Emio in a approach that I’m shocked it even exists, not to mention turned out this good. I went into it with no expectations, however was blown away by the narrative, its supply, and even some wall breaking that I loved fairly a bit early on. Sq. Enix launched probably the greatest thriller journey video games I’ve performed with superb characters, nice artwork, and fascinating mechanics right here, and it’s price your time if you would like a improbable new horror journey sport.
Gnosia ($24.99)
Folks name Gnosia a sci-fi social deduction RPG, however it’s extra of an journey and visible novel hybrid for me. Your purpose right here is figuring out the Gnosia amongst a bunch utilizing data you collect after which vote to place the Gnosia into chilly sleep. You and your crew each enhance over time, and other than some RNG points to get two particular outcomes, Gnosia was a improbable expertise. I preferred it a lot on Swap that I purchased the bodily launch on each Swap and PS5 along with getting it on Steam. This one won’t be for everybody, nevertheless it stays one of many nicest surprises within the style.
Steins;Gate Collection (Variable)
Spike Chunsoft’s Swap releases of the Steins;Gate collection, particularly Steins;Gate Elite, are as essential as Destiny/keep evening in terms of introducing newcomers to visible novels to the style. Whereas I nonetheless hope the writer brings over the unique model of Steins;Gate, Steins;Gate Elite is a simple suggestion for many who watch anime and need to get into an ideal visible novel. The Steins;Gate video games are should performs solely after you expertise the unique story in Steins;Gate Elite. I’ve cheated right here as nicely by together with a number of video games, however my listing my guidelines.
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES and nirvanA Initiative (Variable)
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES and nirvanA Initiative from Spike Chunsoft introduced Zero Escape creator Kotaro Uchikoshi and No Extra Heroes character designer Yusuke Kozaki collectively for an unimaginable set of two journey video games that truthfully really feel too good to be true in terms of the funds behind them with the standard they delivered on story, music, and characters. Whereas plenty of of us lament the dearth of Zero Escape on Swap, I feel the 2 AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES video games are completely price experiencing at full value, and gems of the Swap library. Don’t make us wait too lengthy for a brand new sport within the collection please.
NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD ($19.99)
Relating to journey video games or visible novels, I’m typically advisable video games the place a pal will say “belief me and simply play it however don’t lookup something about it”. One such sport was NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD after I first performed it on PC. It’s an journey sport with a number of endings that may flip flop between disturbing horror and healthful moments. It revolves across the day by day lifetime of a younger lady making an attempt to be the very best streamer. I preferred this one sufficient to pre-order the Swap restricted version from Japan, and I’m glad I did so. It’s unforgettable.
Ace Legal professional Collection (Variable)
Capcom has now introduced your entire Ace Legal professional collection to Swap with the Phoenix Wright Ace Legal professional Trilogy (1,2,3), Apollo Justice Trilogy (4,5,6), The Nice Ace Legal professional Chronicles (1+2 of these), and the 2 Ace Legal professional Investigations video games on this week’s Ace Legal professional Investigations Assortment launch. I’d say there aren’t any excuses now, however this journey sport collection is beloved for a motive and it has spawned a fanbase that has lasted for years because the DS debut within the West. In case you are new to the collection, I like to recommend The Nice Ace Legal professional Chronicles as the very best entry level even above the unique trilogy which feels dated in methods. Both approach, now you can play your entire collection on one handheld, and I really like that.
Spirit Hunter: Loss of life Mark, NG, and Loss of life Mark II (Variable)
One other collection relatively than a single sport? Sure. Aksys Video games and Expertise Inc’s Spirit Hunter trilogy is now absolutely out there on Swap, and it manages to mix horror journey and visible novel components with one of the hanging artwork types I’ve ever seen. It’s a bit tougher to advocate this collection given how grotesque a number of the designs are, however I don’t assume I’ll ever neglect a number of the photos I’ve seen whereas enjoying the Spirit Hunter video games with their wonderful localizations and tales. I hope we see a brand new entry within the subsequent few years.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim ($59.99)
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim isn’t a pure journey sport, however one which has real-time technique battles. I often try to embrace a improbable sport on the finish and the double whammy of not being a full journey sport and in addition being probably the greatest video games I’ve performed in a decade has me ending this characteristic on Vanillaware and Atlus’ sci-fi masterpiece 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. I first performed this on PS4 and loved replaying it from begin to end on Swap because of the OLED display screen in handheld mode. No matter the place you play it, it’s worthwhile to expertise 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.
For those who made it this far, you’ve realized that this isn’t a high 10 however extra, and the video games are ones I like to recommend enjoying at full value. I didn’t need to minimize out one thing I like lots to hit an arbitrary variety of video games featured and that’s why I even included some full collection right here as a substitute of simply particular person video games. That’s my listing of the very best visible novels and journey video games on Swap to play in 2024. In case you have a sport you assume I ought to’ve included, please let me know within the feedback under. I’m at all times looking out for extra superb tales in two of my favourite genres that really feel excellent on Swap. As at all times, thanks for studying!
Observe: I’m engaged on a separate listing of otome video games since there are too many good ones in that subgenre.
