The Japanese Nintendo Indie World April 2024 revealed a slew of indie titles for the Nintendo Switch. Here's a roundup of the games announced in the 21-minute broadcast. Tearful spoiler: Silksong wasn't one of them.
Japanese Nintendo Indie World April 2024
Games at a Glance
Nintendo Switch Releases Available in US
● SCHiM
● Shanghai Summer
● Sticky Business
● Bread and Fred
● MACHI KORO With Everyone
● The Exit 8
● Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
● Europa
● Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
● Sagres
Other Games Announced
● ボウと月夜の碧い花
● A Dance of Fire and Ice
● Refind Self: The Personality Test Game
Nintendo Switch Releases Available in US
SCHiM
Developed by Ewoud van der Werf and Nils Slijkerman, SCHiM is a 3D platformer that plays on the concept of shadows. The game takes elements of light, shadow, and animation and adds them directly to the gameplay. It follows the story of a person losing their shadow, otherwise alluded to as the "schim."
"A schim is the soul and spirit of an object, thing, or living being. Everything in the world has one." Players embark on a journey to reunite with the protagonist's schim that becomes separated from them early on in the game.
SCHiM releases for the Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on July 18, 2024.
Shanghai Summer
Shanghai Summer is a story about restoration and salvation set in the historical Chinese city of Shanghai. Developed by FUTU Studio, this adventure RPG follows Baichuan wandering around in multiple 'dreams,' where he feels he can see his memories. This seems to have been set off when he received an unexpected invitation from his ex-girlfriend, Qiuyu, who has been away for many years.
Initially released for the PC, PS4 and PS5, Shanghai Summer is available to purchase now on the eShop for the Switch.
Sticky Business
In Sticky Business you run your own cozy small business – and it’s all about getting creative while letting your imagination run wild as you create stickers, arrange sticker sheets, pack orders, and hear more about your customers' stories every time they buy stickers.
Combine dozens of elements to create your own collection and sell them to like-minded people. Different stickers attract different customers!
Developed by Spellgarden Games UG, this sticker business simulator is now available to purchase for the Switch.
Bread and Fred
Grab your best bud for help in this new co-op platformer to help two adorable penguins, Bread and Fred, reach the top of the snowy summit. wo players will have to put themselves in the shoes of Bread and Fred and try to climb the mountain tied by a rope, work together, fall many times, get angry and, probably, break their relationship.
Bread and Fred arrives on the Switch and PC on May 23, 2024.
MACHI KORO With Everyone
MACHI KORO With Everyone is a digital rendition of the popular board game collection, Machi Koro, a nominee for the Spiel des Jahres in the German Game of the Year Award in 2015. The digital board game combines all two versions of the board game; the original “Machi Koro” and the latest “Machi Koro 2.”
The game releases for the Switch and PC sometime in 2024, with a tentative distribution date of July 5.
The Exit 8
The Exit 8 is a short walking simulator inspired by Japanese underground passageways, liminal spaces and back rooms. Here's the twist, you are trapped in this eerie endless underground passageway. Observe your surroundings carefully to reach The Exit 8.
Initially released in 2023 on Steam, The Exit 8 is now available on the Switch today.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a horror-themed puzzle adventure game developed by Simogo. Players take on the role of a woman in search of answers as to why she suddenly inhabits these bizzare stages in the game. Imagine an old baroque manor, perhaps a hotel or a museum, somewhere in central Europe.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes releases for the Switch and PC sometime in 2024, with a tentative launch date on May 17.
Europa
Europa is a peaceful game of adventure, exploration and meditation. Run, glide and fly across the landscape, solve mysteries in the ruins of a fallen utopia, and discover the story of the last human alive. This action-adventure blends platformer and puzzle gameplay. Uncover secrets and navigate hidden dangers in the ruins as an story about growing up and humanity’s relationship with nature unfolds.
Europa releases for the Switch sometime in 2024.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure follows the story of Jemma, a small-town misfit on a journey of self-discovery. Venturing out beyond her stiflingly cozy confines, she finds an inspiring world - but also one ruled by fear, and a strange, immovable ‘static’ force.
Developed by Furniture & Mattress LLC, the game is set to launch on the Switch and PC sometime in 2024.
Sagres
Sagres is an adventure, simulation RPG where you set sail on a journey in the Age of Discovery. Climb aboard as the fresh-faced ship captain Fernando. Customize your ship, battle against pirates and sea monsters, and assemble your crew to delve into the mysterious disappearance of the legendary explorer, Sir Antonio.
Initially released on Steam, Sagres is available to purchase now for the Switch, with a 10% sale ending on May 1.
Other Games Announced
ボウと月夜の碧い花 (Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus)
A Dance of Fire and Ice
Refind Self: The Personality Test Game
JP Nintendo Indie World Dropped As A Video
No Sign of Silksong Anywhere
Nintendo's Japanese YouTube channel unexpectedly dropped the entire April 2024 Indie World presentation as a video instead of hosting it as a stream, allowing curious watchers to skip around and see what indie titles are coming to the Nintendo Switch at their own pace.
One game in particular has been on almost everybody's radar since its announcement in 2019 and fans thought this presentation would finally be the one to announce its final release date. Unfortunately, Hollow Knight: Silksong was nowhere to be seen, even on the English presentation. This was clearly a major upset among Hollow Knight fans, but there were still plenty of upcoming indie titles shown during the presentation.
