Sometimes all you need to feel alive again is a solid dose of adrenaline.
Thankfully, these days you don’t need to risk your life in extreme sports or doing other dangerous stuff to give your body a shot of heart-pounding excitement – all you have to do is to watch a horror movie or, even better, launch a horror game.
With that being said, today we’ll focus on games available on Nintendo Switch. If you like to be scared, check out some of the best horror games on Switch on the list down below.
Update, October 2024: We added some new games you may want to try if you haven’t already: Little Nightmares II and Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water.
| Game | Release | Genre | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Amnesia: The Dark Descent | 2010-09-08 | Adventure |
 | BioShock: The Collection | 2020-05-29 | Adventure |
 | Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise | 2020-07-10 | Survival horror |
 | Outlast | 2013-09-04 | Adventure |
 | Alien: Isolation | 2014-10-06 | Action & Shooter |
 | Layers of Fear | 2016-02-15 | Adventure |
 | Doom Eternal | 2020-03-20 | Action |
 | Resident Evil 4 | 05-05-2019 | Action & Shooter |
 | Resident Evil Revelations 2 | 2015-02-24 | Adventure |
 | Tormented Souls | 2021-08-27 | Survival horror |
 | Metro 2033 Redux | 2014-08-27 | Shooter |
 | Little Nightmares I & II | 10-02-2021 | Puzzle, platform |
Little Nightmares II
| Release date: | 2021 |
| Genre: | Puzzle-platform, survival horror |
| Developer: | Tarsier Studios |
Prepare for a nightmarish journey in a dark but oddly alluring 2.5D world.
Little Nightmares 2 is more of an experience than an actual game, where you’ll be tasked with solving a variety of puzzles, avoiding dangers and hostile creatures, and finding your way to the next location. The game features a number of disturbing and unsettling sections that will send a shiver down your spine, causing a fright without resorting to jump scares. Due to the lack of an interface, the entire game feels like an interactive movie with you playing the lead role.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water
| Release date: | 2014 |
| Genre: | Survival horror |
| Developer: | Koei Tecmo |
How about a game where you can defend yourself against evil spirits with a camera?
The Fatal Frame series is interesting and unique when compared to other horrors because of its main gameplay mechanic – the Camera Obscura, a device that will be used to take photos of ghosts. In Fatal Frame, you’ll have to look fear in the face. Running away won’t solve your problems; instead, you’ll have to point your camera at hostile entities and exorcise them. You may be thinking that this will make scary enemies less scary but it’s not exactly the case; the element of surprise still exists and you’re fully expected to get an occasional fright here and there.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
| Release date: | 12-09-2019 |
| Genre: | horror |
| Developer: | Frictional Games |
Let’s start with a game that was quite popular when it was released and it’s still a common choice when one wants to play a good horror game.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of those games where you’re defenseless, so the only way to survive is to play smart and avoid dangers. It’s easier said than done, though – the world in Amnesia is physics-based and gameplay heavily relies on physical interactions with the environment. For example, to open the door you need to grab it and manually open it – and even such simple tasks can be easier said than done when you’re constantly followed by a mysterious creature that doesn’t seem to want to befriend you.
| Key features |
|---|
|
BioShock: The Collection
| Release date: | 2020-05-29 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | 2K Australia |
While the BioShock series is not exactly a horror one, it can certainly send shivers down the spine – especially the two first entries in the franchise.
The original BioShock and its sequel are vastly different from the third game and they’re worth a try if you’re looking for a scary game. They combine role-playing elements with first-person shooter so you can expect to have some upgradeable weapons and powers at your disposal, but don’t feel too cocky – the location you’ll find yourself in is an abandoned city built under the water. This means that you’re completely on your own and you can’t run to safety because there are no safe spots in this forgotten place.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise
| Release date: | 2020-07-10 |
| Genre: | Survival horror |
| Developer: | Toy Box Inc./White Owls Inc |
If you’re not a fan of the constant tension atmosphere in more horror-oriented titles, then Deadly Premonition may be just down your alley.
Deadly Premonition is surely a unique game. It revolves around solving a case of a murder of a teenage girl from an influential family but you’ll quickly learn that it’s not a typical case and that some paranormal forces are involved. It’s not a horror game in the usual sense – it’s a much more casual one with silly music and hilariously funny dialogues accompanying the players throughout the game. It features an open world and also feels like an anime at times, which could be an important factor for some people to consider. All in all, Deadly Premonition is a perfect option if real horrors are too much to take for your heart – this one gives a lot of room to breathe.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Darkwood
| Release date: | 16-05-2019 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Acid Wizard Studio |
If you’re looking for some scary experience, make sure to pick up Darkwood – a top-down indie survival horror.
Darkwood is a survival game in the purest sense. You’re all alone in the forest and it’s not safe here. To survive you’ll have to scavenge the surroundings for resources and make the best use of what you’ve got. Find shelter for the night and pray for things to go smoothly. The game stands out thanks to its steep learning curve – it’s a challenging title that rewards having knowledge about the game’s gameplay mechanics, but learning and figuring everything out can be extremely satisfying.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Outlast
| Release date: | 27-02-2018 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Red Barrels |
Outlast is not an option for the faint of heart – prepare for a truly terrifying experience in a psychiatric hospital.
Outlast is a survival horror game that won’t go easy on you. It’s that type of game that rarely gives you a break to take a breath – there’s always something going on and you can’t let your guard down. That’s especially true if you consider that you’re not a fighter in this game, so to stay alive you’ll have to resort to stealth tactics and keep a low profile. The game received a lot of praise for its atmosphere and gameplay – give the game a try and see for yourself if the praise was justified.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Alien: Isolation
| Release date: | 05-12-2019 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Creative Assembly |
If you’re looking for a really scary game, Alien: Isolation would like to have a word with you.
Alien: Isolation is an excellent choice for a Switch horror game for a number of reasons. The action takes place in space which means you’re completely isolated – you won’t be able to run away and get help when things go wrong. Additionally, your main opponent on the space station is a smart one. You may fool it once or twice but it will learn and adapt so you never can feel truly safe. What worked once doesn’t necessarily have to work again – if you want to outsmart the Alien you’ll have to constantly come up with new clever strategies.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Layers of Fear
| Release date: | 21-02-2018 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Bloober Team SA |
Fans of art will be happy to learn that there’s something in the store for them as well. Layers of Fear can truly convey emotions through art and the horror elements make everything even better.
In Layers of Fear, you will be playing as an artist who’s about to paint his magnum opus. To complete the work, he will have to explore the mansion and discover the secrets it hides but it won’t be easy – the mansion seems to be playing tricks on your mind as it was some kind of a sentient being. You’ll have to get to the bottom of the case and finish your masterpiece – solve a variety of puzzles and keep your sanity and maybe you’ll be able to not only get closer to finishing the painting but also to learn about your own past. If it sounds good, make sure to also check out the game’s sequel – Layers of Fear 2 features improved gameplay and an even better horror experience.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Dead by Daylight
| Release date: | 24-09-2019 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Behaviour Digital Inc. |
Dead by Daylight is probably one of the best options if you’re looking for a scary game that can be played online.
Dead by Daylight is a game designed specifically with multiplayer in mind so if you’re looking for a single-player experience, there are other better games to choose from. Usually, the scary element in games is provided by the computer but Dead by Daylight is different – here it’s all about player interactions. The gameplay revolves around four vs one encounter, where four players play the role of survivors while one other player becomes the killer. The game follows simple rules: the killer must kill all other participants while the survivors must find and repair several generators scattered throughout the map. If you have some friends to play the game with, it may become even more fun, but it’s not necessary – queuing alone and playing with random people also has its strengths.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Doom Eternal
| Release date: | 2020-03-20 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Bethesda |
Doom Eternal is not a typical horror game – it’s more of an FPS with demonic hordes. Still, if you’re more of an action-seeking player, this game will suit your needs best.
Doom Eternal is what you’d like to play to relax and have some fun after work – it’s not a game that was meant to scare the players so don’t expect things like jump scares here. The atmosphere also isn’t built to induce fear, because terrifying you is not the goal of Doom Eternal. Instead, you’ll find yourself on a mission that revolves around killing evil creatures that come in overwhelming numbers. It’s a pure arcade experience with lots of blood and gore so generally speaking it’s not as scary as it may be disturbing. It’s not a game where you run away from danger – it’s a game where danger runs away from you, so load your guns and get ready to roll.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Resident Evil (2002 remake)
| Release date: | 12-04-2019 |
| Genre: | adventure |
| Developer: | Capcom |
A list of the best Nintendo Switch horror games wouldn’t be complete without a game from the Resident Evil franchise – arguably one of the most popular and iconic horror series of all time.
Most of the Resident Evil games managed to scare players one way or another but the original game is often seen by the fans as the strongest entry in the franchise, at least when it comes to the atmosphere and the scary factor. Considering that the remake contains everything the original had with some extra on top of that, such as additional locations and gameplay mechanics, it’s only natural for us to recommend this one. You should also definitely try other Resident Evil games, but keep in mind that some of them have more in common with arcade games than with actual horrors.
| Key features |
|---|
|
The Best Horror Game on Switch
If you’ve got Nintendo Switch and you love horrors, you can play them on your favorite console anytime you want. There is a number of great horror games for Switch to choose from so you may be confused and not sure which one to pick.
Which one will suit your taste? Which one you will actually like? It’s not easy to answer such questions before you simply give each game a try but that may be way too much effort – not to mention that you may end up spending money on games you don’t even like.
Hopefully, our list of some of the best Switch horror games will make things a little bit clearer for you and you’ll be able to choose the right game right off the bat, saving both time and money.