Oh Canada! Great Nindies from the Great White North
Canadian gamers looking for something new for Nintendo Switch this summer don’t need to look very far. A growing number of great indie games for Nintendo Switch - known as “Nindies” - are being developed here in Canada.
For consideration for upcoming coverage opportunities, highlights of some of the top Canadian Nindies are outlined here. Each of these titles are available for under $25, offering great value to gamers looking to expand their Nintendo Switch library.
For review codes for any of these titles, or to set up interviews with game developers, please contact:
Colin Brush
Craft Public Relations
colin@craftpublicrelations.com
416-316-4745
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Quebec City: Just Shapes & Beats
Developer: Berzerk Studio
Just Shapes & Beats is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoiding Shapes, moving to the rad Beats, and dying. Repeatedly. In the game, neon shapes take over the screen in sync with the rhythm of dozens of original tracks created by more than 20 artists. With music that mixes heart-pounding EDM with 16-bit era tones, Just Shapes & Beats is a party playlist as much as it is a video game.
This adrenalin-filled challenge can be played alone or with up to four players, local or online, through the game's Story Mode or Challenge Runs.
$22.79 in Nintendo eShop
For more information: www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/just-shapes-and-beats-switch
Quebec City: Light Fall
Developer: Bishop Games
Light Fall is the story of darkness taking over the light in the Forgotten World of Numbra. In the game, players explore Numbra to uncover their mysterious past and save the land from an imminent threat. Stryx, an old and grumpy owl, joins players in their adventure, acting as their sidekick and in-game narrator.
Light Fall is a game designed for platforming freedom. With Shadow Core, players become the master of their surroundings, creating their own path as they scale up terrain, or soar through obstacles with untethered momentum. And with each ability that players learn, new corners of the map are theirs to discover.
As a plus, players can also quench their thirst for competition in the complementary Speedrun Game Mode, revisiting the world of Numbra to compete with players worldwide.
$18.49 in Nintendo eShop
For more information: www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/light-fall-switch
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Vancouver: CELESTE
Developer: Matt Makes Games
Playing as the troubled Madeline in this single-player platformer, players brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges as they help Madeline survive her journey to the top of the treacherous Celeste Mountain.
The games’ controls are simple and accessible - simply jump, air-dash, and climb - but with layers of expressive depth to master, where every death is a lesson. Playing in Assist Mode lets players tweak the difficulty, from a slower pace to full-on invincibility. Unlockable B-side chapters offer even more challenging adventures.
$24.51 in Nintendo eShop
For more information: www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/celeste-switch
Montreal: Floor Kids
Developer: MERJ Media
Floor Kids is the ultimate breakdance battle game. Featuring hand-drawn graphics by award-winning animator JonJon and set to an original soundtrack by world-renowned scratch DJ/producer Kid Koala, Floor Kids allows players to compete in a game of streetstyle breakdancing through a unique trick-style rhythm gameplay.
By creating their own move combinations as they press to the beat, players build up a repertoire of headspins, stalls, and shuffles of their own flavour. Innovative controls allow players the freedom to play the way they like with a dynamic scoring system that rewards their moves based on musicality, originality, and style.
Players build up their crew of bboys and bgirls, unlock new characters and locations as they cross the city, and bust hundreds of different moves and countless combinations on their journey from the corner to the club.
$11.94 in Nintendo eShop (currently 40% off)
For more information: www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/floor-kids-switch
Toronto: Graceful Explosion Machine
Developer: Vertex Pop
This vibrant side-scrolling arcade shooter has you piloting the fighter ship - Graceful Explosion Machine - as you shoot, dash and combo your way through jewel-hued alien worlds, fighting crystalline enemies to find a way home.
Players use the single pilot fighter’s precise controls, nimble movements and devastating firepower to fight through 30+ levels across four unique worlds that are bursting with vibrant colour, bold lines and geometric enemy designs. With extensive ranking and stats available for each level, replay is encouraged to perfect the game's combo systems.
$13.99 in Nintendo eShop
For more information: www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/graceful-explosion-machine-switch
Coming Soon!
Quebec City: The Messenger
Developer: Sabotage Studio Inc.
Coming this summer from Sabotage Studio is The Messenger.
As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival.
Leveraging player expectations as a core design ingredient, The Messenger is first presented as an 8-bit action platformer with a simple story only to turn into an epic time travelling tale, eventually revealing itself as a 16-bit Metroidvania packed with replay value and deadpan humour.
For more information: www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/the-messenger-switch
Vancouver: Towerfall
Developer: Matt Makes Game
Up to four players battle in this critically acclaimed, arcade-style archery deathmatch.
Vancouver: Mark of the Ninja: Remastered
Developer: Klei Entertainment
One of the best stealth games of all time is getting remastered for Nintendo Switch this Fall.
For more information: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/mark-of-the-ninja-remastered-switch