Though most only see a modest amount of success, some indie games have etched their way into video game history by becoming must-have titles in any player’s library.
Updated November 14, 2022, by Maya Sattar: Gaming platforms like Steam make it easier than ever for independent developments to reach an audience and gain a cult following. Triple-A games by well-known developers will always be highly-anticipated releases that will grab the headlines, but every so often, a charming indie hidden gem will blow up in popularity and steal the attention of players worldwide.
Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, indie games are now getting more attention than ever. From humble beginnings, these popular indie games have blossomed into successful juggernauts that could rival releases by major publishers, both in terms of critical acclaim and financial success.
18 Unpacking
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Releasing in 2021, indie gem Unpacking took the games’ industry by surprise, thanks to its insurgence of popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. Unpacking was instantly a commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling indie games of all time by selling 100k units in its first ten days across all platforms!
Witch Beam’s dream is a zen puzzle game where players essentially unpack a life as they undergo the familiar process of taking possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Players experience a sense of intimacy with a character they never meet and a story never told.
17 Ori And The Blind Forest
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Ori and the Blind Forest, released back in 2015, took indie publishers Moon Studios five years to create but only one week to turn a profit.
Winner of several prestigious gaming awards, Ori and the Blind Forest tells the tale of a young spritely orphan destined for greatness through a visually-stunning Metroidvania-styled puzzle platformer. With its sequel, Ori and the Will Of The Wisps, also becoming a successful indie game, there is no limit to what Moon Studios can accomplish in the future.
16 Hades
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Roguelike games are becoming increasingly popular with their endless replayability and diverse gameplay. It comes as no surprise then that Hades has sold over one million copies since its release in 2020.
Hades has received universal acclaim for its art direction, gameplay and its unique cast of characters, and it offers a plot inspired by traditional Greek mythology with a twist. There will surely be no end to Hades’ growth, as it is set to become of the best indie games available on the market.
15 Among Us
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.
Among Us took quite a while to explode in popularity; debuting in 2018, it flew under the radar at first, only to become one of the most successful indie games on the market in 2020. Out of nowhere, Among Us was everywhere on YouTube and Twitch.
Stuck on a ship or another setting, depending on the map, Crewmates have to work towards completing tasks. However, some players are Impostors who will seek to sabotage the mission or just eliminate Crewmates. In turn, the good players can try to identify who the Impostors are. Among Us delivers a tense but fun social deduction experience, and the game isn’t disappearing anytime soon.
14 Fez
Platforms: PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Switch, PC, Mobile
Debuting in 2012, Fez is an earlier example of a huge breakthrough indie hit, and the game’s reputation has remained positive since its original release. A puzzle platformer that plays with perspective by blending 2D gameplay with a 3D world, Fez delivers an innovative and unforgettable campaign that, while not perfect, rarely has any truly underwhelming moments.
Fez received a standing ovation from critics, sold well, and has been ported to modern consoles such as the Nintendo Switch.
13 Cave Story
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, Wii, Nintendo Switch, PC
Cave Story is a platforming action-adventure by one-man team Studio Pixel. Originally a free release on PC in 2004, the game remains fairly relevant, with its latest release being on the Nintendo Switch in 2017.
The game follows an amnesiac robot named Quote as he travels through a mysterious cave system and gathers a variety of weapons to fight the monsters within. Its age, as well as the near-universal praise for its gameplay and story, causes some to see Cave Story as the parent and originator of modern indie games.
12 Shantae
Platforms: Ps4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, Game Boy Color, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, PC, Stadia
The plucky half-genie made her platforming debut on the Game Boy Color in 2002, and while her first game sold fairly poorly, it still managed to attract critical acclaim. Since then, the developers at WayForward made four sequel games that have totaled over 3 million sales; the most recent title in the series, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, released on consoles back in May 2020.
With a combination of endearing characters, interesting level design, fantastic artwork, and lots of unique animal transformations, fans hope to see much more of this half-genie hero in the future.
11 Five Nights At Freddy’s
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
Created by Scott Cawthon in 2014, this eerie survival-horror game pits the player against the clock as they attempt to manage their power supply to keep four haunted animatronics at bay and survive the night.
The game rapidly garnered popularity with the help of internet personalities and theory crafters alike. The mysterious lore and jarring jumpscares attracted so much attention, in fact, that it warranted eight other sequel games, a plethora of spin-offs and fan games, a book series, and plenty of real-life collectible merchandise! Truly, this horror game defined the genre for a time and created a brand all of its own.
10 Cuphead
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Whether from its run-and-gun gameplay or its use of vintage rubber hose animation, Cuphead has the ability to charm just about anyone who plays it. This carefully-crafted marvel began its run in 2017, selling over six million copies in just three short years.
StudioMDHR, the developer behind this quirky homage to 1930s cartoons, released the DLC entitled “The Delicious Last Course,” in August 2022 to expand on its success. Fans can continue to have a swell time walloping enemies, and can even enjoy the charming animated Netflix series of the same name.
9 The Binding Of Isaac
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile.
Not even its own creators expected The Binding of Isaac to be such a significant hit. Released on Steam without much hype, the game eventually blew up through word of mouth (aka YouTube videos), swiftly developing a cult following.
Since its 2011 debut, The Binding of Isaac has been ported to multiple consoles, spawned a number of worthwhile expansions, and even received a spin-off card game. The Binding of Isaac has also received a critically-accalimed sequel, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth!
8 Shovel Knight
Platforms: PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
The story of Shovel Knight’s inception is a classic tale of a group of individuals risking the comfort of their jobs to pursue their passion project. Former WayForward employees banded together to create Yacht Club Games and crowdfund an 8-bit style platformer featuring a dashing knight with an odd taste in weaponry; after its success on Kickstarter, it launched on Windows and Nintendo consoles in 2014 to overwhelming amounts of approval.
Critics and casuals alike praised the game’s retro graphics, compelling narrative, and memorable characters (some of whom became playable in later DLC campaigns). An inspiration to indie developers everywhere, the eponymous Shovel Knight has made over two dozen cameos since.
7 Terraria
Platforms: PS5, PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile, Stadia
More than a decade following its debut, Terraria is still one of the cornerstones of the indie scene. The sandbox game offers players an impressively robust selection of mechanics and tools, where the world is their oyster.
Along with combat that utilizes a vast arsenal of weapons and bosses, Terraria allows players to leave their mark on the (randomly generated) world through building and customization options. Crafting is also a standout part of the package. Terraria can be played forever and never grow old, as it has truly withstood the test of time. It recently received its final major update, the ‘Labour of Love.’
6 Stardew Valley
Platforms: PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
Inspired in part by the Harvest Moon franchise, Stardew Valley offers a relaxing farming sim experience to its players while also providing engaging and memorable character development. The player inherits a plot of land from their grandfather, and it’s up to them to get the dilapidated farm back on its feet.
Whether they choose to cultivate the land or kindle their relationships with the local townsfolk, fans can find hours upon hours of enjoyment in this simple yet intriguing story. Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the developer of Stardew Valley, released the game in 2016 for Windows. It has since moved to other platforms and sold over ten million copies.
5 Celeste
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Stadia
On the surface, this game by Maddy Thorson and a small team is a fun, challenging platformer. Delve deeper beneath the surface, and instantly one can see the true depth of this masterpiece. Celeste uses trial-and-error platforming, impactful storytelling, engaging characters, and an impeccable soundtrack to keep players climbing.
The game’s reputation surpassed expectations; in the year of its release, it had been nominated for Game of the Year and won Best Independent Game at the Game Awards. By the end of 2019, over one million copies had been sold across all available consoles.
4 Hollow Knight
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
What does one get when they combine the intriguing lore and menacing bosses of Dark Souls with Metroidvania platforming and beautiful hand-drawn animation? Luckily, Australian developer Team Cherry has the answer: Hollow Knight!
Players control a nameless Knight as they traverse the abandoned tunnels of Hallownest. The world’s many subsections range from elegant to ominous, and intertwining them is the forgotten history of a once-great kingdom. The game controls exceptionally well, and its many boss battles truly test the Knight’s skill.
3 Rocket League
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Somehow, a game that smashes together soccer and cars is not only fantastic but also found a wide and passionate fan base. While Rocket League’s success can be credited to plenty of things, the game’s pick-up and play nature is perhaps its greatest asset.
When someone has 30 minutes to kill and doesn’t see the point of jumping into an RPG, a quick match in Rocket League is a tempting alternative. Becoming free-to-play in 2020, Rocket League has shot up in popularity, getting consistent high viewing figures on Twitch.
2 Undertale
Platforms: PS4, PS Vita, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Nothing can be said of Undertale that hasn’t been said already, but perhaps that sentiment alone speaks to the game’s immense success. Developer Toby Fox created this gem of an RPG alongside artist Temmie Chang and others, releasing it in late 2015. Almost immediately, fans flocked to the game, praising its stunning soundtrack and quirky cast of characters.
The protagonist’s actions determine the relationships they can build with the Underground’s inhabitants, which inspires players to see just how different each playthrough can be, from Pacifist runs to full-on Genocide runs.
1 Minecraft
Platforms: PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
Minecraft has come a long way since its indie origins… a very long way. Officially released in 2011, the sandbox game quickly gained traction, in part due to its seemingly endless creative potential. In 2014, Microsoft bought developer Mojang Studios from Markus Persson for a modest $2.5 billion.
To this day, Minecraft remains a titan in the gaming industry, with a plethora of community-created mods to keep the game fresh and exciting. It is currently the best-selling video game of all time, sitting at over 200 million copies sold across all platforms.
More: The Best Indie Games Of 2019 (According To Metacritic)
