Everything announced in Nintendo Indie World 2023 Showcase

Nintendo hosted their Indie World Showcase event last night and it was a big one. Let’s take a look at what was announced (spoiler-alert, there was still no Hollow Knight: Silksong news). 

With highlights including a release date for the next instalment in the Oxenfree series as well as a new trailer for Blasphemous 2, it was an exciting night. For now, let’s run through everything that was announced which features everything from time-traveling crime solving to a whole lot of cats.

Mineko’s Night Market

This narrative-driven simulation game follows Mineko who has just arrived at her new home on a Japanese-inspired island at the base of Mount Fuji. Now living in a town that worships the Sun Cat, Nikko, it isn’t long before sightings of the mysterious creature start surfacing. It is your job to uncover the secrets of the island as well as restoring the village to its former glory. 

This game inspired by Japanese culture is set for release on September 26 for Switch.

My Time at Sandrock

From the developers at Panthea Games comes the sequel to the much-loved My Time at Portia. This life-sim has you travel to a desert community that is in need of a talented builder. Luckily enough, that’s you. Use your abilities to gather resources, construct machines and build a fully-functioning production facility that can help a town in economic ruin. 

My Time at Sandrock is heading to Switch “this summer.”

PlateUp!

For fans of Overcooked comes the similar but still quite different PlateUp! This title adds a mix of rogue-like progression with cooking management in order to bring us a chaos-filled top-down kitchen adventure. With up to four players, your team must complete each shift and get some happy customers. Add the ability to transform your kitchen with upgrade unlocks, you can attempt to stay on top of a busy job.

PlateUp! Will arrive on Switch this October.

Quilts and Cats of Calico

Cat fans were having the time of their last night with the announcement of this adaption of the tile-laying board game Calico. Players must lay patches in order to create colour combinations that will 1) be full of colour and beautiful patterns and 2) attract the nearby calico cats. With local and multiplayer gameplay, the game features weekly challenges, cat customisation and even ranked matches.

Keep an eye out for Quilts and Cats of Calico this Autumn.

Rift of the Necrodancer

This spinoff rhythm game set in the same universe as Crypt of the Necrodancer was first released last year. Unlike Crypt, Rift has a GuitarHero-esque game style combined with combat that sees players take on a host of monsters in a series of movement based battles. With five characters to choose from, each with their own stories and mini-games, Rift is a unique take on the much-loved rhythm game genre.

Rift of the Necrodancer will be released later this year.

Animal Well

From developer Shared Memories comes the pixel-art Metroidvania game that allows players to explore the depths of a well filled with treasure, secrets and creatures. With some creatures that help you and others that hinder you, be careful who you trust as you traverse across multiple levels. With abilities to unlock as you go and areas that you may miss on your first playthrough, the options are endless.

Animal Well releases for Switch this Winter.

Crime O’Clock

Crime O’Clock is a time-traveling crime solving adventure that takes place through multiple interlinked eras – the Steam Age, Atlantean Age, Information Age, Lost Age, and Aeon Age. Play as a detective and solve a series of crimes and even prevent them from happening by going back in time. With over 40 cases combining action and puzzles, it is sure to keep you on your toes.

Crime O’Clock comes to the Switch on June 30

Teslagrad 2

Teslagrad 2 was something of a surprise announcement for the Nintendo Indie World Showcase, especially considering it releases alongside a Teslagrad Remastered. The physics-based puzzler originally released in 2013 was met with critical acclaim and its sequel looks equally as exciting. Use Teslamancy to explore a Scandinavian-inspired land, defeat monstrous creatures and traverse a platformer map. 

Teslagrad Remastered and Teslagrad 2 are available to purchase separately on the Switch’s eShop or as a bundle. They are available now!

Shadows Over Loathing

The sequel to West of Loathing comes Asymmetric’s Shadow Over Loathing, the self-confessed “slapstick RPG.” If you’ve ever wondered how many bodies you can fit into a phone box, how to overthrow a government at your leisure or talk in 1920s-inspired slang, this is the game for you. Uncover the mystery of your uncle’s disappearance, face eldritch-inspired monsters and try to stop the end of the world. Just your average game.

Shadows Over Loathing is already available for digital download for Nintendo Switch. Its physical edition releases this Autumn.

Blasphemous 2

One of the biggest highlights of the showcase was the first trailer released for the upcoming Blasphemous 2. The sequel to the much-loved Blasphemous by The Game Kitchen was announced over a year ago but now we can see what to expect. Taking on the role of the pointy-headed Penitent One again, this Souls-meets-Metroidvania style game features new weapons and a whole lot of adventure.

Blasphemous 2 is coming to Switch this Summer

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals

Another exciting announcement comes courtesy of the much-anticipated sequel to Oxenfree. Despite a long wait for fans, Night School Studio have revealed the release date for this supernatural adventure. With new protagonist Riley Poverly returning to her coastal hometown, she must investigate a series of mysterious radio signals. With new features including a walkie-talkie conversation system, Riley must get to the bottom of the mystery all whilst stopping a strange cult attempting to make a portal between worlds.

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals comes to Nintendo Switch July 12

Some other Indie Games for nintendo

The Showcase ended with a brief look at a bunch of other upcoming games:

• Paper Trail (August 2023) – top-down puzzle adventure set in a paper world 
• Little Kitty, Big City (2024) – play as a cat who needs to find their way home
• Chants of Sennaar (Sept 5, 2023) – set in a universe inspired by the myth of Babel
• Brotato (2023) – top-down arena shooter roguelite 
• Escape Academy: The Complete Edition (Autumn 2023) – solve handcrafted Escape Rooms
• Five Nights at Freddys: Security Break (Available now) – survive until dawn amongst a place filled with creepy dolls
• Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (August 18 2023) – battle for control of the streets 

Credit: Devolver Digital

Upcoming DLCs

A Little to the Left is receiving the Cupboards and Drawers DLC in June which will feature 25 new puzzles.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is receiving a free Puzzlers Pack DLC for Nintendo Switch this Spring. This will include two new characters, new puzzles, 20 run-modifying hats and new relics.

Last but not least, Cult of the Lamb is releasing the free Relics of the Old Faith update which arrives on April 24. This update will include new relics, enemies and even changes to the previous dungeons. Additionally, your followers will have access to new buildings and as cult leader, you can bring new characters to your flock. 

Finally, you will have access to a new unlockable quest and the option to try your hand at Permadeath, Gauntlet, and Boss-rush modes. These will become available once you have completed the main story. 

That was everything that was announced at the Indie World April 2023 Showcase. What were you most excited to see? Let us know across our social media platforms.