It’s the end of another year, but instead of showcasing the best games everyone has already bought, I thought I’d shine a light on 6 games that I feel have either flown under the radar or haven’t received the critical recognition they deserve.
So, without further ado, let’s get to the games:
CATTCH
Released: January 22 2021
Price: AU$10.50 / US$6.99 / GB£6.29
Genre: Action / Platformer / Puzzle
Developer: Infected Pixels Studio
Publisher: ChiliDog Interactive
After villains attack your friends, you embark on an epic and dangerous journey in this hyper-colourful platform game.
Why you should play it
CATTCH is an undeniably vibrant and fun platforming game with a cartoony aesthetic akin to Rayman on a major sugar rush.
It knows what it wants to be and does it with aplomb. Each of the ~40 bite-sized levels are perfectly designed and present a decent challenge to achieve the 3 objectives: get to the exit portal in the allotted time, gather all the stars, and free 3 caged friends hidden within.
CATTCH has been on sale 4 times since release, with 45% off its largest discount. If you’re not ready to jump in just yet, add it to your Deku Deals wishlist to be notified when it’s next on sale.
Speed Limit
Released: 18 February 2021
Price: AU$15.00 / US$9.99 / GB£9.99
Genre: Arcade / Action / Shooter / Racing
Developer: Gamechuck
Publisher: Chorus Worldwide Games
Fight. Die. Repeat.
Speed Limit is a thrilling, genre-switching rollercoaster that will test the limits of your reflexes and the limits of the pain you’ll endure in the name of entertainment.
Why you should play it
Speed Limit is an old-school, action extravaganza that’s hard, fast, and addictive. If you enjoy punishing games, you’ll love this.
As soon as you think you’ve mastered the game, it seamlessly changes to a completely different genre, transforming the gameplay and taking you on a journey through the golden era of arcades.
Fight through a nail-biting, side-scrolling shooter, race to the finish in an explosive top-down car chase, and take flight in a thrilling, 3D dogfight.
Since its release, Speed Limit has been on sale 4 times, very recently at a whopping 75% off. I would totally understand if you want to hold out for the next sale, so again, add it to your Deku Deals wishlist to not miss out.
Super Cable Boy
Released: 24 June 2021
Price: AU$20.00 / US$14.99 / GB£12.59
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Sørb
Publisher: Sebastian Lieb
Super Cable Boy is a retro-inspired platformer where you play as a sentient handheld gaming system with a power cord. Collect game cartridges to become more powerful and take on your quest to defeat the Glitch.
Why you should play it
On first impressions, a precision platformer that replaces “Meat” for “Cable” may seem like a quick cash-grab; however, Super Cable Boy stands proudly as an excellent game in its own right.
You play as a “not Game Boy” with an adaptable power cord in a striking, low-fi, glitchy world where you must learn how best to use your upgrade cartridges and swinging appendage to navigate each level and save the world.
Super Cable Boy has only been on sale twice since release, with 40% its biggest discount. Add it to your Deku Deals wishlist if you’re still on the fence.
Super Magbot
Released: 22 June 2021
Price: AU$27.00 / US$17.99 / GB£14.99
Genre: Platformer / Puzzle / Action / Adventure
Developer: Astral Pixel
Publisher: Team17
A precise 2D platformer with a twist: no jumping!
Master your magnetic powers to beat each level with speed and skill to defeat the evil villain and save Magbot’s home planet of MagTek.
Why you should play it
While technically a platformer, Super Magbot is more of a quick-reflex, action-puzzle game that takes a while to adjust to its particular mechanics.
Instead of jumping and wall climbing, you use your ability to control both positive and negative magnetic polarities to navigate through a myriad of challenging platforming environments, pulling and repelling yourself to safety, landing on platforms and avoiding perilous pitfalls.
Sporting vibrant, 16-bit style pixel art and an energetic chiptune soundtrack, this was a surprise favourite game of mine in 2021.
Super Magbot is currently on sale for an incredible 90% off until January 6, so be quick! There’s also a demo available if you wish to try before you buy.
The Wild at Heart
Released: 17 November 2021
Price: AU$37.50 / US$24.99 / GB£19.99
Genre: Adventure / Puzzle
Developer: Moonlight Kids
Publisher: Humble Games
Welcome to the Deep Woods.
Wield an ever-growing herd of quirky creatures to rebuild broken paths, battle perilous beasts, and solve peculiar puzzles in a rich, interconnected world. Join two young runaways as they unravel the mysteries of a lost realm in this nostalgic storybook fantasy!
Why you should play it
Described by Nintendo Life as “an amalgamation of some of Nintendo’s most unique gaming mechanics”, The Wild at Heart, with its beautiful, watercolour-esque Autumnal visuals and Pikmin-like, Metroidvania-lite gameplay, is an absolute joy to behold.
It’s evidence of how a small team can mix and match well-known influences while adding their own identity to create a standout game that’s deserving of a following just as large as Nintendo’s much-loved IPs.
Being the newest release on this list, The Wild at Heart hasn’t seen a discount on the eShop yet, so keep an eye out on Deku Deals if you prefer a bargain.
WRITHE
Released: 15 January 2021
Price: AU$12.99 / US$9.99 / GB£7.99
Genre: First-Person Shooter / Shooter / Action / Arcade
Developer: Mission Ctrl Studios
Publisher: Mission Ctrl Studios
WRITHE transports you to an alternate 1970s Thailand, where it’s up to you to blast your way through an endless horde of mutant sago worms that are terrorising Bangkok.
Why you should play it
With a thumping industrial soundtrack, this retro, low-poly arcade FPS will test your mettle at every turn.
As you dual-wield a deadly shotgun and plasma rifle, you must fight for survival against the onslaught of mutant grubs in the 3 unique arenas.
Featuring a high-score chasing, global online leaderboard, WRITHE will keep you coming back time and time again.
WRITHE has been on sale 6 times since its release, with the largest discount, 40%. Add it to your Deku Deals wishlist if you can resist killing hordes of grubs a little longer.
Hopefully, this list has showcased a few games that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks, but if none took your fancy, there’s undoubtedly something of interest amongst the 250+ excellent indie games released in 2021.
Here’s to a happy New Year of gaming! 🎮
About the Creator
stowball
I design: digital, craft, board games.
I write: code, fiction, reviews.
I play: games, guitar, football.
See my: complete Best Of Switch indies list
Say hi: twitter.com/stowball
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