There’s no shortage of games to play on the Nintendo Switch. With an ever-expanding library of new and old titles, it’s hard for players with the hybrid console to ever get bored. The eShop, specifically, is a great online store full of titles both popular and unknown just waiting to be played. Regardless of your preferred genre, odds are there is something there for you, and it has one of the best classic game libraries around too.
More importantly, however, there are countless titles that are inexpensive. In fact, if potential players set the eShop price point to $10 or under, there’s an overwhelming amount of content to choose from. Yet, choosing between the good and the bad can be a daunting task. So, to help you choose, here are some of the best Switch games under $10.
Updated December 26, 2022 by Mark Sammut: The Nintendo Switch store is absolutely overflowing with indie darlings that can be picked up for roughly the price of two Starbucks coffees. These games might not have the same name recognition as Nintendo’s first-party offerings, but they are worthy additions to any library. This article has been expanded to include a few more great cheap Switch games.
Yars: Recharged
- Price: $9.99 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Switch owners who are big fans of old-school games have at their disposal an array of remakes based on classic Atari releases, all of which fall under the Recharged subtitle. Black Widow, Centipede, and Asteroids provide simple fun; however, if asked to signal out the best of the bunch, it would have to be Yars: Recharged.
Ambitious for the early ’80s, this game is essentially a boss rush, albeit not quite in the same vein as modern titles. Each stage consists of a protected boss, and players need to steadily chip away at the enemy’s defenses in order to carve a path to their weak point. Offering a strategic and satisfying gameplay loop, Yars: Recharged is challenging and reasonably long for its price tag.
RiffTrax: The Game
Over the last decade, many creators have walked in the footsteps of Mystery Science Theater 3000 by adding their commentary to a wide range of (usually) bad movies and shows. RiffTrax is perhaps the most well-known brand to establish a voice within the sub-category of entertainment, and now fans can create their own punchlines by picking up Wide Right Interactive’s party game.
RiffTrax: The Game allows players to either write their own riffs or select their favorite from a plethora of pre-installed options. Featuring a robust collection of movie clips, this budget Switch game offers quite a bit of variety.
Cthulhu Saves Christmas
Zeboyd Games’ delightful RPG follows a weakened Cthulhu on a quest to save Christmas (and regain his lost power). Cthulhu Saves Christmas pokes fun at plenty of RPG tropes, and the game’s writing is consistently funny.
Perhaps more importantly, this RPG is also fun to play. The game features a turn-based combat system that has more than enough depth and color to remain engaging for the campaign’s relatively short length.
Dungeons Of Dreadrock
- Price: $10 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Just barely coming in beneath the cutoff point, Dungeons of Dreadrock is a dungeon crawler that emphasizes puzzles rather than real-time combat. In order to rescue her brother, a girl enters a dungeon and gradually descends its levels, taking on the threats and traps found within. Aesthetically, the game takes inspiration from the SNES era, albeit using 32-bit visuals. The art style is clean and charming, particularly when it comes to the design of monsters.
Dungeons of Dreadrock does not overstay its welcome and continuously introduces fresh ideas to maintain the campaign’s momentum. This is one of the best cheap games on the Switch.
Oxenfree
Developed by Night School Studio, Oxenfree is a 2D adventure game revolving nearly entirely around walking and dialogue. There are also a few puzzles and secrets to unlock, but the game’s selling point is its story and characters, both of which are strong.
Oxenfree’s art style, tone, and writing complement each other to create a gripping narrative that balances character development with a great sense of mystery. Lasting roughly 5 hours for a playthrough, Oxenfree is well worth a look.
Bloodstained: Curse Of The Moon
Released alongside Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Curse of the Moon is a throwback to classic 2D Castlevania games, and it is a great one at that. Taking on the role of Zangetsu, players plow through pixilated levels with branching paths while utilizing an assortment of sub-weapons and abilities.
The game features multiple playable characters, all of which come with their own playstyles. The characters can be switched out at any time once they are unlocked, permitting they have not been killed during the current level. This greatly expands the gameplay options present to the player at any given moment. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon offers a ridiculous amount of content for its price tag.
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 is also fantastic, although the sequel costs $14.99.
Flat Heroes
Flat Heroes is a simple platformer about a square that simply wishes to survive. The 100+ levels consist of single screens with a couple of platforms and a slew of enemies, the latter of which get increasingly more creative in their attempts to reduce the player’s square to nothing. Flat Heroes’s cute and stripped-back presentation might trick some people into believing this is a relatively easy game, but that could not be further from the truth.
This platformer packs a grueling punch, punishing players who make a solitary mistake or are too slow to react. Flat Heroes tests a user’s reflexes rather than precision, crafting a gameplay loop that will keep players coming back for more.
Tadpole Treble Encore
- Price: $8.99 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Tadpole Treble originally debuted on the Wii U, and the rhythm game was a blast on the dying console. In 2021, an updated version called Tadpole Treble Encore made its way to the Nintendo Switch store, and it is still a delight. The campaign revolves around a tadpole that gets separated from its mother, forcing them to go on an adventure to find its way back home. Simple but effective, the story is charming and adorable.
In terms of gameplay, Tadpole Treble Encore builds on the rhythm genre’s fundamentals, providing a couple of unique twists to a well-established formula. Along with simply hitting the right notes, players have a few tricks at their disposal that can help them attain even higher scores. Importantly for this type of project, Tadpole Treble Encore’s soundtrack is fantastic.
Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf
Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf started life on mobile systems and PC, before eventually making its way to consoles a couple of years later. The Switch port does a serviceable job of adapting the experience to Nintendo’s platform, although the transition is not entirely smooth. Be that as it may, Lone Wolf is still an impressive game that scratches an itch few other Switch titles attempt to reach.
Lone Wolf is split into two sections: text and combat. The former essentially acts as a choose-your-own-adventure. Players read through a standard but well-written fantasy story while making a few key decisions along the way, and these choices impact the narrative’s progression. During key battle-centric sequences, the game shifts to a turn-based combat system presented through 3D visuals. These sections are surprisingly deep and engaging.
Limbo
A haunting journey through a perilous forest home to a nightmarish multi-leg abomination, Limbo is a horror work of art. While not quite as terrifying as something like Silent Hill, Limbo’s black and white aesthetic and defenseless protagonist foster an ever-present sense of dread and vulnerability.
Limbo is available on plenty of consoles, but the game is especially suited to the Nintendo Switch’s portability. Fans of puzzle platformers will presumably love this title, particularly if they appreciate a touch of film noir.
Picross S
- Price: $9.99 Link To Picross S8’s Nintendo Store Page
Picross is one of those properties that just feels at home on the Nintendo Switch. The console has more than 10 of these games, including spin-offs like Kemono Friends Picross; however, the main series is Picross S. This franchise is currently on its eighth entry, and while all the games are very similar, the core concept is so addictive that they continue to be fun.
There is really no point in starting with any entry except the most recent one. Picross S8 has hundreds of puzzles split across various modes, including standard, Mega Picross, and Color Picross. Repetitive as this package might be, Picross is a reliable pick for a quick play session.
Part Time UFO
In this game, players take control of a small UFO that is taking on different jobs to help people on Earth. Most of these jobs involve stacking and balancing items, but each new location and job is sure to throw an interesting challenge into the mix.
While Part Time UFO can be played by just one player, it also has unique versions of each job that can be played with two players, making it a great couch co-op game. The art style is vibrant and cute while the puzzles can be both hilarious and challenging. This game is well worth the price whether players want to complete puzzles on their own or with a friend.
The King Of Fighters ‘98
- Price: $7.99 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
The Nintendo eShop is packed with ACA Neo Geo ports of classic SNK releases. There are plenty of outstanding titles to select from, especially when it comes to fighting games. Fatal Fury, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, and Samurai Shodown are all cheap Switch games that rank among the genre’s best offerings. The console’s library also has a wide selection of King of Fighters entries, arguably SNK’s most beloved fighting series.
As it is difficult to go wrong with a KoF game, highlighting a single title is not simple. That said, The King of Fighters ‘98 is a good place to start. The title has a fantastic roster, polished gameplay, and timeless sprites.
Double Pug Switch
When a professor’s cat, Whiskers, accidentally creates a portal between dimensions that sends Whiskers and the professor’s pug, Otis, to another dimension, Otis must try to stop Whiskers from wreaking more havoc in this new world.
The characters in Double Pug Switch are adorable, and the puzzles that involve switching between dimensions as Otis are unique, challenging, and satisfying to complete. One of the funniest and cutest parts of the game is also that collecting coins lets players purchase different hats for Otis! This game will give players hours of fun, mayhem, and cuteness.
When The Past Was Around
- Price: $8.49 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
When the Past was Around is definitely one of the more emotional games on this list, and it’s worthy of a spot in every Switch player’s library. In this game, players follow the story of a girl named Eda as she navigates life in her 20s with the help of a man called The Owl.
This game uses a point-and-click playstyle with different puzzles that will push players through Eda’s life. They’ll see her high points and her low points as she tries to come to peace with everything that comes her way. This game’s moving story and gorgeous graphics make it worth every penny.
Among Us
- Price: $5 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
That’s right. The game that’s been taking over the internet has now made it onto the Switch. Like on other platforms, Among Us is only $5 on the Switch. It can be played with as few as 4 players and as many as 10 players, and technically, a Nintendo Switch Online membership isn’t required.
As long as players are on the same Wi-Fi as their friends who also have the game, then Among Us can be played locally on the Switch. Whether players choose to enjoy this game online or in person, Among Us is sure to fill a room with laughs, betrayal, flying accusations, and more as players try to figure out who the imposters are on the ship.
Mad Father
Some players might already be familiar with Mad Father, as it originally came out in late 2012. The version that’s currently available in the Nintendo eShop is a remake of Mad Father, which means it’s perfect for fans of the original as well as new players.
The game is a horror adventure that follows a young girl named Aya, who wants to spend time with her father on the anniversary of her mother’s death. Instead, the anniversary involves people escaping from Aya’s father’s laboratory after he’s performed experiments on them, and Aya learning the truth about what her father has really been doing in his lab. This game is a great choice for horror fans and fans of the original game.
NO THING
- Price: $1.99 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Developed by Evil Indie games, NO THING is a fantastic, yet simplistic runner that every Switch owner should play. Taking place in the totalitarian future of 1994, players take control of a simple office clerk who is tasked with sending a message to the Queen of Ice.
While far from the most graphically impressive on the console, it makes up for it with some fantastic and responsive gameplay. It’s extremely fast, easy to pick up, and has a great difficulty curve. Couple that with an interesting, psychedelic art direction and a fantastic soundtrack, NO THING shines through its simplicity.
Doom 3
While Doom 3 is a hotly debated title among fans of the series, there’s no denying it’s a fantastic title. Originally released in 2004, Doom 3 takes the plot of the original game in the series: players take control of Doomguy, one of the few survivors of a demon invasion at a Union Aerospace Corporation base on Mars. Don’t look at this as a straight-up remake, however. Changing the fast-paced gameplay for something slower, with more horror influences, Doom 3 feels like a completely different game compared to the influential 1993 shooter.
Despite its age, however, the game holds up. Visually, it’s still impressive, the controls are tight, and the slower pace serves a lot of the game’s set pieces well. That isn’t to say the game comes to a crawl either, still retaining run and gun mechanics, the Doom 3 is still smooth and exciting even after almost a decade and a half.
Earth Wars
- Price: $4.50 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Developed by One or Eight INC., Earth Wars is one of the more overlooked games on the Nintendo eShop. With a beautiful hand-drawn art style, this side-scrolling hack-and-slash adventure implements RPG mechanics as well. In fact, many have compared the game to the classic Vanillaware Wii title, Muramasa: The Demon Blade. While probably not as ambitious as the 2009 title, Earth Wars is still a beautiful, slick title with a lot of customization available.
Mix in large-scale boss battles, and an overwhelming amount of loot to find, Earth Wars will leave a lasting impression on players.
Sega Ages: Phantasy Star
While Sega was known for making fast-paced arcade-style games during their time as console makers, they dabbled in the JRPG genre to great success. Their most popular franchise in that regard is easily Phantasy Star. While basic by today’s standards, as Sega Master System title in 1987, it was a truly unique title, featuring a satisfying combat system, a healthy dose of strategy, and 3D-esque dungeon crawling mechanics.
While not far different from the original title, Sega Ages: Phantasy Star offers some minor quality of life upgrades that reduce the number of random encounters while increasing the amount of money and experience received through victory. Yet, if you’re looking for old-school difficulty, that option is available too.
Florence
- Price: $5.99 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Lasting roughly 45 minutes, Florence is a one-and-done experience that is worth its price tag, especially for fans of visual novels. Annapurna Interactive’s game covers the relationship between Florence and Krish, transforming the highs and lows of their time together into short bursts of gameplay.
Florence’s length can make it a bit of a tough sell, but it does feel right for the story being told. If $5.99 still seems too steep, Florence has been on sale for as low as $1.99.
Cel Damage HD
Of all the games to receive an HD remaster, the 2001 vehicular combat title for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox, Cel Damage, was probably the most unexpected. That’s not because it’s undeserving of one, in fact, its cel-shaded art direction, chaotic gameplay, hilarious dialogue, and outlandish characters make it one of the most overlooked titles of its generation.
With unlockable characters and a real sense of progression, Cel Damage is an extremely satisfying game to play though. Add in battle royal and race modes, players have two very different game types to choose from that feel completely different from one another.
SteamWorld Dig
One thing the Switch is not light on is Metroidvania titles. With that said, the interesting Image & Form title is just as fantastic to play as it was when it was originally released in 2013. Players take control of Rusty, a robot who finds himself in an old mining town and is ready to get to work. Players must dig beneath the ground, battle the enemies they cross paths with, and collect as much as possible before returning to the surface.
While not the best game in the series — SteamWorld Dig 2 is one of the best games of the decade — it’s still a fantastic game that players can put a lot of time into.
Mini Metro
“Relaxing” is not an adjective commonly associated with the metro, at least when it comes to riding the trains. However, that is exactly the type of experience that Mini Metro offers. Placed in charge of arranging a city’s metro system, players have to connect the dots to create a smooth ride for commuters. It is a simple concept that manages to craft a calming gameplay loop while still offering quite a bit of challenge and tension.
Mini Metro matches its great gameplay with clean visuals and a soothing soundtrack, showing that sometimes less can be more. The game comes with a few different modes that tweak the flow of gameplay just enough to keep things fresh.
Danmaku Unlimited 3
Shmups fans looking to game on a budget are generally well served by the genre, and the Nintendo Switch has quite a few great titles that embrace bullet hell. Danmaku Unlimited 3 is one such project, and it is quite spectacular. Plunging players into a symphony of gorgeous destruction as colorful bullets fill the screen, this shooter is punishing and addictive in the best possible way.
Now, bullet hells are not for everyone, and since most of these games pride themselves on their difficulty, they can be overwhelming for newcomers. Danmaku Unlimited 3 is certainly no exception, but it also incorporates a few options that make the content a touch more accessible. Still, the game is unapologetically unforgiving on higher difficulties.
Republique: Anniversary Edition
- Price: $0.99 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Starting life as an iOS game, Republique eventually made its way to PC as an episodic project, before coming out on the PS4 in 2016. Nintendo fans interested in this stealth title had to wait until 2022’s Anniversary Edition, which contains the entire story. As there are five episodes to play through, Republique should keep someone busy for more than 10 hours, and quite a lot of that time is dedicated to actual gameplay.
While somewhat rough around the edges at points, Republique: Anniversary Edition is nevertheless a solid stealth game set within a dystopian future. At its Switch price, this title is a steal.
Golf Club Wasteland
The market is flushed with post-apocalyptic worlds, so a game needs to provide a unique spin to stand out from the crowd. Golf Club Wasteland does just that by focusing on a golfer who visits Earth in pursuit of courses unlike any other. Across more than 30 levels, players must carefully putt their ball towards the end goal, passing all sorts of unsettling but beautiful imagery along the way.
The surprising thing about Golf Club Wasteland is that its gameplay is enhanced by a surprisingly effective storyline. For people who want to focus solely on golf, they can just jump into the game’s challenge mode.
Reventure
Failure is part of nearly every game. In death, players gather useful information that can fuel their eventual victory; basically, it is a means to an end. However, in Reventure, death is a means to a literal end. While the hero is on a quest to save a princess, the player’s goal is to unlock all the possible endings, which usually (but not exclusively) means an untimely demise.
Such a premise is naturally built on repetition as players will constantly be sent back to square one so they can start their adventure anew. While that might sound off-putting, Reventure’s sense of humor helps sell the concept.
Mighty Gunvolt Burst
Players who are looking for their next Mega Man fix, look no further than INTI CREATES CO., LTD.’s Mighty Gunvolt Burst. This action-packed platformer hearkens back to the good old days of difficult 8-bit gameplay as players take control of Beck from Mighty Number 9, Gunvolt from Azure Striker Gunvolt, or Ekoro from Blaster Master Zero, each of whom plays and controls differently.
While retro in its aesthetic, Mighty Gunvolt Burst introduces a lot of newer concepts that keep the game in the modern era. That includes relatively deep customization options along with combos you’d never achieve in older titles.
Sumire
Visual novels are an acquired taste, especially since many of them tend to be rather long and pricey. Sumire serves as a great entry-level option, at least in terms of cost and length. A coming-of-age story, Sumire follows its eponymous teenager as they deal with isolation and change, although these relatable challenges are complemented with a touch of magic.
Sumire’s gorgeous visuals hide a mature story that tackles some complex subjects, all the while presenting players with choices that impact the characters’ futures.
Blaster Master Zero
Developed by INTI CREATES CO., LTD., Blaster Master Zero mixes the fun yet chaotic side-scrolling gameplay of Mega-Man with top-down sections to liven things up. Created with the original 1988 Blaster Master as a base, this version of the game offers way more in the way of content.
This includes new areas to explore, new bosses, and upgrades that were not possible in the original game. While a little on the short side, Blaster Master Zero is only $9.99 on the Nintendo eShop, making it worth the price.
Shovel Knight: Specter Of Torment
Yacht Club got the world buzzing when they introduced Shovel Knight to the world. With countless additions to the game, Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment could have easily become a soulless sequel in a sea of titles under the series banner, but it ended up exceeding the already high expectations set by previous expansions in the franchise. In this title, players take control of Specter Knight who is tasked with recruiting knights to form the Order of No Quarter.
Full of charm and heart, Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment is a top-end title on the eShop and one every player should experience. Priced at $9.99 as a stand-alone title, or included in the Shovel Knight Treasure Trove, there really is no excuse to get your hands on this fantastic experience.
Downwell
- Price: $2.99 Link To The Game’s Nintendo Store Page
Don’t be fooled by the simplistic visuals, Downwell has a lot to offer. The roguelike has a simple premise: man finds well, man decides to descend into the abyss, and man shoots monsters with special boots.
A platforming game with straightforward shooter elements, Downwell is one of those titles that can be very difficult to put down, especially since its procedurally generated levels allow for plenty of replayability. For $2.99, Downwell is an absolute steal and can easily keep someone entertained for hours on end.
A Short Hike
Sometimes, simplicity is an asset. A Short Hike’s narrative is straightforward – Claire arrives at a park and finds her phone doesn’t have reception. As she is expecting an important call, she makes her way to the summit in search of that elusive signal.
A Short Hike takes place in a tranquil open-world stuffed with personality, memorable characters, and beauty. This game is very much about the journey as Claire progressively learns to live in the moment. Freeing, charming, and calming, A Short Hike is a great and cheap Switch game that most people should consider picking up.
Shantae
All the Shantae games can be played on the Nintendo Switch, and the platformer franchise is nothing if not consistent. For the uninitiated, they might as well start with the original game, 2002’s Shantae which was released on the Game Boy Color.
Even though it debuted on relatively weak hardware, Shantae is quite the looker, mainly due to its vibrant color palette. The gameplay is also solid for the side-scrolling genre; while perhaps not groundbreaking, it does the basics well.
Quake
Out of nowhere, Bethesda published a remaster of Quake for modern consoles, including the Nintendo Switch. Along with being a part of gaming history, Quake holds up shockingly well as a classic shooter. This package comes with the mission packs and improves the game’s visuals, bringing them up to scratch.
This recommendation goes beyond an appeal to nostalgia, as Quake’s great soundtrack, awesome gameplay, classic weapons, and atmospheric locations have barely aged over the last few decades. FPS fans will love this, especially since the Switch is not overflowing with shooters.
