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Nintendo Switch just got a bunch more indie games at GDC, including exclusives

The gaming giant showed off new indie games -- called, of course, "Nindies" -- coming from this spring through the summer. Here's the rundown.

Scott Stein Editor at Large
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
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  • Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Scott Stein
2 min read
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Lumines was one of the best PSP games ever. It's Switch-bound.

Nintendo

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is taking over San Francisco this week, and Nintendo is there.

Instead of announcing any new first-party games, Nintendo has focused on "Nindies" -- that is, independent game titles from smaller developers. The Switch has already successfully built a repository of excellent indie titles. While the newest batch may not have a standout like Rocket League or Stardew Valley (and cult favorite Undertale still doesn't have a release date), several notable mobile games like Reigns and Banner Saga are coming, along with a revamp of the PlayStation classic puzzler Lumines.

Nintendo is promising that most of these games are either system exclusives or games that will launch on the Switch first.

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Pool Panic, by Adult Swim Games

Nintendo
  • Mark of the Ninja Remastered: a classic Xbox 360 Arcade game by Microsoft Studios gets a revamp.
  • Fantasy Strike (summer): an arcade-style fighting game previously on Steam.
  • Just Shapes and Beats (summer): a long-awaited abstract music rhythm game.
  • Garage (spring): a top-down retro arcade horror game infused with "VHS style" graphic effects.
  • Pool Panic (Switch exclusive): Adult Swim Games' crazy-looking cartoon-style adventure involving living pool balls.
  • Bomb Chicken (summer): a platformer puzzler involving bombs... and chickens.
  • Lumines Remastered (spring): one of the best music puzzle games ever made, getting a new version.

Other games:

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Reigns, a great mobile game, comes to Switch, too.

Nintendo
  • Reigns Kings and Queens (spring): the mobile title, with both versions included.
  • Light Fall (spring)
  • West of Loathing (spring, Switch exclusive): cartoon stick figures in a Western-type world.
  • Pode (spring)
  • The Messenger (summer)
  • Bad North (summer)
  • Banner Saga 3 (summer): the latest version of a hit strategy mobile and indie game.
  • Banner Saga 1 and 2 (TBD): also coming.

You can watch the full stream live here.

We'll follow up with more news and impressions throughout GDC.

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