Why Handheld Consoles Were Made for Indie Games and the Titles That Truly Belong on Them

The Steam Deck, the ROG Xbox Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and even the Nintendo Switch 2 are all capable of running large AAA games with impressive graphics and complex control schemes. But what’s the point? At that stage, portability begins to lose its meaning.

Of course, you can play Red Dead Redemption 2 on a Steam Deck or Cyberpunk 2077 on a Nintendo Switch 2, but you’ll be dealing with low graphics settings, 30-40 FPS, and very limited battery life. As a result, you may find yourself putting the handheld console aside and returning to your long-beloved slots at the Granawin casino. That said, there are plenty of indie titles worth trying if you own a Nintendo Switch 2 or a Steam Deck.

Ball x Pit

Ball x Pit is an arcade roguelike about descending into an endless pit, where all combat revolves around bouncing balls. You venture into the depths of a ruined city, fight off waves of enemies, return to the surface, and invest the resources you’ve earned into upgrading your base. On paper, it doesn’t sound groundbreaking, but the game hooks you with its simple, addictive rhythm: jump in, complete one run, unlock an upgrade, and suddenly you want to keep going.

Short runs, pleasant visuals, and straightforward yet engaging gameplay make Ball x Pit a perfect fit for handheld consoles, especially when you only have a few spare minutes but still want a complete gaming experience. It’s also comfortable to play on handhelds thanks to its consistently high and stable frame rate.

Split Fiction

Split Fiction is a co-op action-adventure where you and a partner play as two aspiring writers who end up trapped inside their own stories after an experiment with creative ideas goes wrong. You’ll constantly be jumping, running, solving puzzles, and fighting your way through fantasy and sci-fi worlds, each location introducing new mechanics and unique challenges. This isn’t just a game that’s great in co-op — it’s one you literally cannot complete solo.

There are two ways to play. The first is a local co-op, where you and a friend sit on the same couch and share one screen. The second is online co-op, where each player has their own screen. In the first case, the Nintendo Switch 2 is an ideal choice thanks to the included Joy-Cons. On Steam Deck, online play is more practical unless you already have two controllers on hand.

Hades 2

The sequel to the legendary roguelike puts you in control of Melinoë, the daughter of Hades, as you venture beyond the Underworld to stop the Titan Chronos and confront the gods of Olympus in a large-scale mythological adventure. The story is deeply engaging, and each run influences its progression, unlocking new dialogue and revealing Melinoë’s relationships with the rest of the pantheon.

Hades 2 impresses with its combat variety, deep god-granted upgrade systems, and powerful magic and weapon mechanics, turning every “death” into meaningful progress and a reason to start another run. It expands beautifully on the original formula, offering a rich world, detailed locations, and a fast, satisfying pace.

Its balance and replayability make it an ideal handheld game: you can start a run, pause it, and return at any time. The dynamic combat, clear enemy silhouettes, and intuitive controls are perfect for short sessions on the go or while relaxing. On top of that, the game looks great without being too demanding on hardware.

Megabonk

Megabonk is a fast-paced 3D roguelike action game where you fight through endless waves of enemies on procedurally generated arenas. You collect loot, level up, upgrade weapons, choose random perks, and build unique setups each run. Auto-attacks are combined with dashes, jumps, and speed boosts, making movement and dodging core parts of the gameplay.

The variety of effects and items constantly introduces new tactical options, making you want to jump straight into another run after each defeat. With dozens of characters, dozens of items, and hundreds of challenges, no two runs feel the same.

Megabonk doesn’t have the most appealing visuals, which might turn some players away, but its gameplay is finely tuned. The game is fully compatible with Steam Deck. It hasn’t been released on Nintendo Switch, but as an alternative, Risk of Rain 2 is well worth checking out.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, which means it was designed with portability in mind from the very beginning. And it’s no coincidence that it won “Best Family Game” at The Game Awards. This 3D platformer follows Donkey Kong as he journeys into an underground world to recover stolen golden bananas and uncover the secrets hidden beneath the surface.

The game focuses heavily on environmental destruction, free exploration across layered biomes, and dynamic platforming mechanics. Donkey Kong can dig, smash walls, jump, climb, and harness the power of various animals to solve surprisingly complex challenges.

Levels are packed with secrets, colorful characters, and bananas, but the standout feature is the sheer destructibility of the environments. With enough effort, almost everything can be broken or reshaped. Stone walls can be smashed, the ground beneath your feet can be dug through until you hit artificial boundaries, and even lava flows can be redirected by carving channels or cooled entirely by piling on snow.

FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time

This is a role-playing game with life-simulation elements, set on a mysterious island where you explore its past and present by switching between fourteen different professions, or “lives,” ranging from fishing to blacksmithing. You gather resources, craft items, fight monsters, and restore a ruined world by traveling through time and completing a wide variety of quests.

Fantasy Life i blends lighthearted simulation gameplay with RPG mechanics and an abundance of activities, making every hour feel fresh and engaging. The game is available on both Steam and Nintendo Switch.