Visual novel games utilize unique visual approaches and heavy story formats paired with simplistic, minor gameplay elements, meaning they’re perfect for playing on the go or even from the cozy comfort of your couch or bed. Of course, this makes the Nintendo Switch the ideal console to enjoy this genre on, thanks to the easy portability of the handheld mode and the addition of touchscreen controls in many titles. If you’re looking for some more visual novel games to enjoy on your Switch, look no further; we’ve rounded up and listed 10 of the best experiences available on the system.
1. Coffee Talk 1 & 2
Coffee Talk places you in the shoes of a barista, brewing drinks for the intriguing, fantasy-inspired customers that set foot in your shop. As you serve these individuals, you’ll listen to their stories and problems, helping them overcome obstacles in their life with a cup of fresh brew. Coffee Talk utilizes a gorgeous pixel art style which really helps to create a specific type of welcoming and cozy atmosphere for the player.
It’s hard not to get lost in the world of Coffee Talk and find yourself working the most relaxing barista shift of your life. Yes, the story and characters of Coffee Talk really emphasize that feeling of humanity (despite being made up of all sorts of various non-humans!), allowing you to get attached to your role in this alternate Seattle. And best of all, once you’re all done with Coffee Talk, you can jump into Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly to continue brewing up a storm.
2. Danganronpa Series
Are you a fan of murder mysteries? What about an anime-inspired visual style? Well, the Danganronpa series is a despair-fueled clash of both aspects. In Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, you’ll set foot in Hope’s Peak Academy, a school where every student has prodigy-like expertise in a specific skill or field. Things take a twisted turn when the students are forced to participate in a twisted game of despair, forced to earn their freedom by murdering another classmate and getting away with it by proving innocence during trial.
But it doesn’t stop there! Whoever is found guilty at trial will experience a unique, torture-like death specifically designed for each individual. And to make the stakes even higher, if the jury deems the wrong suspect guilty, then everyone will be executed, with the murderer allowed to walk free. If that story isn’t engaging enough on its own, the detective-like gameplay will call upon your sleuthing skills to examine pieces of evidence, interrogate fellow classmates, place objections and accusations during the trial, and discover the dark truth of what really happened at Hope’s Peak Academy.
There are also several titles to follow, so if you find yourself hooked on this title, there’s plenty more to dive into with Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, as well as a few spin-offs.
3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
If Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy’s title wasn’t a dead giveaway, this game will have you take over protagonist Phoenix Wright and step into courtroom drama as a rookie attorney, going head to head against the law as you work to solve numerous cases and uncover the motives of suspects, as well as protect your clients from false accusations.
You’ll participate in several unique cases, each with quite an intricate story to unravel, as you’re confronted with many mysteries, tongue-in-cheek humor, courtroom puns, and very loud objections along the way. If you’ve never played the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney games before, then this trilogy is a brilliant starting point to thoroughly introduce you to a cast of very memorable characters and a great narrative that will surely stand out to anyone who enjoys a bit of mystery and true crime.
4. Across The Grooves
Have you ever wanted to experience the joys of a good graphic novel but in an interactive format? If so, you should consider picking up Across The Grooves. This title tells the story of Alice, a woman who lives a rather uneventful life until a wacky record player spins her all the way back into her past, forcing her to relive various events and unknowingly change her future. Across The Grooves has a gorgeous comic-inspired graphic novel artistic approach, with hand-painted figures and backgrounds, adding a rather comforting and relaxing visual charm to the story.
Furthermore, every decision you make matters, as it will slowly alter the personality of Alice. If you’re a fan of the Life is Strange series, this time-traveling European tale holds a similar feeling to the story and soundtrack yet takes comfort a step further. There’s no need to worry about running or walking around in this title, just sit back, relax, and let the story of Alice captivate you.
5. Steins;Gate Elite
Steins;Gate Elite is perfect for anyone who enjoys science fiction and anime-styled visuals, operating as an updated version of the original 2009 Steins;Gate title. Steins;Gate Elite follows college student and self-proclaimed ‘mad scientist’ Rintaro Okabe and his friends, who discover the possibility of altering the past through an industrial microwave. Yes, it’s both as fascinating and wacky as it sounds. Plus, if that bizarre concept isn’t enough to draw you in on its own, there are also fully animated cutscenes to keep you hooked on the story as you work your way through.
As you can imagine, a simple test run of this microwave’s past-altering abilities soon turns into timeline-hopping craziness as Rintaro desperately tries to claw his way back to a future where everything is normal once again. However, unlike a lot of other time-traveling and past or future-altering storylines, Stein’s;Gate Elite also takes a deep dive into the science behind the concept, explaining everything in such detail that you’ll walk away feeling as much of a mad scientist as Rintaro himself!
6. AI: The Somnium Files
AI: The Somnium Files is a mysterious adventure focusing on the investigation of an elusive serial killer. The storyline follows Special Agent Kaname Date, a detective who enters the memories of suspects to extract vital information and solve cases. Players will progress through the story by utilizing two different gameplay aspects – investigation, and Somnium exploration, with each area branching off into multiple different endings. However, much like piecing together a case with fragments of truth, you will only get a full view of the entire story by playing through and completing each route.
Luckily, you’ll be able to revisit specific branching points and follow alternate pathways via an instant travel mechanic, keeping things snappy and interesting. The puzzles in Somnium exploration are quite unique and engaging, appearing as various ‘mental locks’ that you will need to bypass in order to sink further into your target’s subconscious and discover vital information. On top of this, there’s a six-minute time limit for searching dreamscapes, which really ups the pressure and challenge aspect of the game.
7. Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark is a first-person visual novel set in Tokyo’s H City, where mysterious markings have started appearing on the bodies of certain individuals. Dark rumors regarding these markings state that anyone with one will rapidly die a horrific, inexplicable death at dawn. Kazuo Yashiki is an amnesiac who blanks out and finds himself at the horror-like Kujou Mansion, where he sets out to unravel the truth of the curse mark deaths before his time is up.
This game is about as cozy as a horror game can get, inclusive of the spook factor and supernatural, ghostly elements, but without the classic high-paced, frantic gameplay that often comes in other horror titles. Along the way, you’ll need to take a classic mystery-adventure approach to the story to solve puzzles, collect items, and maintain and restore your Spirit Power by collecting talismans.
However, you’ll also be tasked with various timed choices and turn-based battles to purify or destroy vengeful spirits. Depending on the outcome of each battle, the outcome of the overall chapter will be affected, eventually leading to one of two possible endings for the game. Spirit Hunter: Death Mark is nothing short of intriguing and fascinating, complete with dark and gloomy visuals, making it the perfect relaxation game for anyone who enjoys a spooky tale.
8. Necrobarista: Final Pour
Necrobarista: The Final Pour is about as minimalistic as a visual novel can get in terms of gameplay elements, but don’t let that fool you; this first-person tale is absolutely worth the brew. Set around the Terminal, a Melbourne back-alley coffeehouse staffed by necromancers, you’ll find yourself serving souls of the departed who are living out their last twenty-four hours in the world among the living.
Unlike the usual 2D approach to a visual novel, Necrobarista utilizes 3D cinematic sequences influenced by anime, creating a very unique and distinguished style. The visuals manage to be immensely breathtaking and atmospheric, as well as standing out in their own quirky way, and the characters are very lovable, helping deliver the story with a profound impact. Lastly, The Final Pour edition of Necrobarista, available on the Switch, comes complete with two extra side stories for you to enjoy, soaking up all the caffeinated goodness the title has to offer.
9. The House in Fata Morgana
The House in Fata Morgana is a suspenseful, emotional tale set in none other than a cursed mansion full of gothic influences, romance, and tragedy. The story follows a spirit with amnesia who meets a maid within the mansion, with the two then viewing the history of the building through different time periods in an attempt to discover what happened to the residents and get the spirit to recover their lost memories. If you’re a fan of long and intricate stories with a Shakespearian vibe, then The House in Fata Morgana may be the perfect visual novel for you to get lost in.
Pacing may be slow near the first half of the game, but these little details found within are crucial to the bigger picture, with things being more than worth the wait once everything unravels. There’s also an undeniable, odd charm to the visual aesthetic and soundtrack that really emphasizes the gothic, old-time historical influences found in the narrative, bringing everything together to create a truly wonderful storytelling experience.
10. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
While Doki Doki Literature Club may be able to visually disguise itself as a classic dating simulator visual novel on the surface, don’t let it fool you. This game is a clash of everything sweet and horrific; the dating sim and psychological horror genres clash together to form this unique, memorable visual novel. What starts off as a story full of wholesome friendship and friendly flirting has a rather jarring transition into an emotionally gripping narrative full of tragedy.
The game is bold and confrontational, with the delivery of dialogue and scenes referencing modern-world stereotypes and mental health issues. This makes quite an impact and leaves a lasting impression on the player, which has helped the title stand out as something quite unique and out of the box.
While Doki Doki surely is an impressive title, this one is definitely not for the faint of heart or easily disturbed; don’t let the cute anime art style fool you! Thankfully, in the latest Plus! version of the Doki Doki Literature Club game, there are not only hours of new story content and additions to the in-game soundtrack but also an option to receive content warnings for any potentially triggering scenes.
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