Nintendo’s Indie World showcases are always something to look forward to. Today’s presentation is about 20 minutes long and features titles such as Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, Backpack Hero, Moonstone Island, and Death Trick: Double Blind. All games will be released for Nintendo Switch; they may also be available for other consoles, but those aren’t noted (minus one). All seasons mentioned in the showcase are for the Northern Hemisphere, so I’ve converted them to quarters. “Winter” is Q1, “Spring” is Q2, etc.

Game highlights

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution

After 20 years, the original sequel for Shantae is finally being released. Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is an action-adventure platformer that features all of the hair-whipping and belly-dancing that fans of the series expect. It features multiple new characters (some seen later in the series are introduced here), numerous towns and labyrinths, and fierce bosses. There is also a four-player battle mode. A new gameplay mechanic allows Shantae to create new paths by repositioning the foreground and the background layers. Fun fact: this game will also be released the way it was meant to be, for Game Boy Advance. Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be released in 2024.

Howl

The title of Howl comes from the sinister plague spreading through sound in a fairytale world. The only hope is for a deaf prophet to find the cure and return the world to peace. Use weapons and wit to progress through turn-based, tactical battles. You have to foretell the actions of your enemies, planning up to six moves in advance. Collect resources to upgrade your abilities, then plot your route on the world map. There are secret paths and new skills to uncover. The game is illustrated in a beautiful “living ink” art style. Howl is available now.

The Star Named EOS

The Star Named EOS is set in a hand-drawn panoramic world. The first-person storytelling puzzle adventure game explores how we can capture the fleeting moments that shape our lives. Take on the role of Dei, a young photographer tracing the footsteps of his mother. Collect items filled with memories and help Dei discover the truth behind his mother’s absence. The Star Named EOS will be released in Q2 2024.

A Highland Song

In A Highland Song, play as Moira as she runs, jumps, climbs, and scrambles her way forward. The narrative-led 2.5D platformer has rhythm-action elements. Travel through the peaks and valleys of the Scottish Highlands. There are hundreds of different routes, with shortcuts and surprises along the way. Try to reach the sea as quickly as possible, working against rain, storms, and snow. Some valleys contain music runs where you jump in time to fast-paced Scottish music. A Highland Song will be released on December 5.

Moonstone Island

I’ve had my eye on Moonstone Island for awhile, and I’m glad to see it’s making the leap to Nintendo Switch. It is a creature-collecting, dungeon-crawling, deck-building life sim that features 100 procedurally-generated islands in the sky. The goal is to explore and become a world-renowned alchemist. There are over 60 Spirits to collect using card-based combat. Become part of a community, craft items, tend to your farm, brew potions, decorate your home, befriend the local villagers, and fall in love. Moonstone Island will be released in Q2 2024.

Full list of featured games

• Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution (launching in 2024)
• Core Keeper (launching in Q3 2024)
• On Your Tail (launching in 2024)
• Howl (available now)
• The Star Named EOS (launching in Q2 2024)
• Backpack Hero (available now)
• Blade Chimera (launching in Q2 2024)
• A Highland Song (launching on December 5)
• Moonstone Island (launching in Q2 2024)
• Death Trick: Double Blind (launching in 2024)
• Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition (launching December 7)
• Planet of Lana (launching in Q2 2024)
• Enjoy the Diner (available now)
• Heavenly Bodies (launching in February 2024)
• The Gecko Gods (launching in Q2 2024)
• Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist (available now)
• Urban Myth Dissolution Center (launching in 2024)
• Braid: Anniversary Edition (launching April 30, 2024)

Watch the showcase