The 13 best games to play this Halloween, from Bayonetta to Resident Evil

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Genre: Hack-and-Slash Action Adventure

Price: $59.99

Let's start with a Halloween classic: Witches.

The newest game on this list, Bayonetta 3 puts you in control of the legendary witch Bayonetta, as she battles disgusting monsters and a universe-destroying entity called the Singularity.

Like previous games in the series, Bayonetta 3 is all about style. Although the game can be difficult at first, with enough practice, you'll be flying between enemies and racking up 100-hit combos without breaking a sweat.

Along with Bayonetta's usual arsenal of magic guns and giant limbs made of her own hair (her "Wicked Weaves"), you'll also summon skyscraper-sized demons, cast curses, and more. The game's humor, action, and story are famously ridiculous in all the right ways.

The game's director, Hideki Kamiya, claims you don't need to have played the first two games to enjoy this one. But if you like, you can jump back to the first two games in the series as soon as you're done; they're both available for purchase from the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Available on: PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation

Genre: Roguelike Card Game

Price: from $19.99

It's pretty difficult to make a card game scary, but Inscryption knows how to defy expectations.

The game starts with your character locked in a cabin, forced to play a sadistic card game against a shadowy maniac. As you win rounds, you'll expand your card collection and encounter new opponents — but if you fail, you'll be killed and turned into a card yourself.

Inscryption combines cardplay with escape room-style puzzles, all backed up with a foreboding soundtrack and unsettling graphics. It's perfect for anyone who wants a challenge to go along with their horror.

Available on: PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox

Genre: 2D "Metroidvania" Platformer

Price: from $14.99

Hollow Knight is one of the most popular indie games of the last decade, and for good reason. It's a masterfully crafted "Metroidvania" game — in other words, a 2D action platformer — filled with hand-drawn visuals and dozens of unique enemies.

The game gives you control of the Knight, a nameless sword-wielding insect. You're tasked with traveling a massive underground world to battle other insects and save your kingdom from a mysterious "Infection." The underground world is gloomy, dark, and filled with horrifying creatures that are dead set on taking you down.

Fans and critics alike raved over Hollow Knight's artstyle, combat controls, and upgrade system. It's a must-play for any platforming fan.

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Genre: Survival Horror

Price: from $39.99

Resident Evil is the horror game franchise. And Resident Evil 2 — the 2019 remake of the original PS1 classic — is our favorite of the series.

In Resident Evil 2 you play as Leon Kennedy, a rookie police officer trapped inside of the zombie-infested Raccoon City. You'll have to find your way out of town and save the few people who haven't been infected yet, all the while being hunted by zombies and an unstoppable monster called Mr. X.

Unlike other zombie games, Resident Evil 2 is more about stealth and strategy than gunplay. You can only carry a few items at a time, and ammo runs out quickly — you'll need to learn to plan ahead and conserve your resources if you want to survive.

Right now, the game is only available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, but a Cloud Version is also releasing for the Nintendo Switch in November 2022.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Genre: Action Adventure, Exploration

Price: $49.94

All of the games we've featured so far have been pretty mature. So if you're looking for something more appropriate for kids, then check out Luigi's Mansion 3. This Super Mario Bros. spinoff sees the eternal underdog Luigi going on a quest to save his friends and family from a haunted hotel.

As you explore the hotel's 17 floors, you'll use a suped-up vacuum to fight and capture dozens of colorful ghosts. You can also create a clone of yourself called "Gooigi," which can slip through cracks but will crumble if it touches water.

Luigi's Mansion is silly, but can still be surprisingly creepy and challenging. It's also got a few multiplayer modes, perfect for friends or family members.

Available on: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android

Genre: Player-VS-Player Survival Horror

Price: from free-to-play to $29.99

The first exclusively multiplayer game on the list, Dead By Daylight is an "asymmetric" survival horror game inspired by slasher films from the '70s and '80s. In each game, four "Survivors" have to power up generators and escape before a "Killer" can hunt them down and slaughter them.

Although the game has dozens of original characters, it's most famous for its crossovers with famous horror franchises like Saw, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Stranger Things, and Scream. The Survivors can play as the protagonists from those franchises, while the Killer can play as the villains. Every character has their own perks and abilities.

Every round of Dead By Daylight is tense and unpredictable, just like the best horror films. It's great with friends, but it's also got an active community that you can randomly match up with to play whenever you want.

Available on: PC

Genre: Exploration, Puzzle

Price: $14.99

Although FAITH: The Unholy Trinity officially released this month, you won't be blamed for thinking it's an old Atari game. FAITH is an 8-bit horror game that follows Catholic priest John Ward on his quest to exorcize demons with just a crucifix and a prayer. It's inspired by the "Satanic Panic" of the '80s, and it looks like it came from the '80s too.

The most striking thing about FAITH, though, is definitely the sound design. Every sound effect and bit of music has been distorted and compressed to hell (no pun intended), to the point that you might start thinking your speakers are haunted. Even the simplest actions sound frightening.

Expect bloody demons, lots of pentagrams, and the word "MORTIS" to burn itself into your brain. If you watched The Exorcist as a child and had nightmares for a week, then FAITH is made for you.

Available on: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox

Genre: Roguelike Action Adventure, Town Simulator

Price: from $24.99

Don't let the cute talking animals fool you: Cult of the Lamb is a devilish game.

After being sentenced to death, your character — an unnamed lamb — is possessed by an ancient demon and tasked with forming a cult to worship it. You'll need to venture out to defeat enemies and attract new followers, all the while keeping your current cult members happy. Ignore them for too long, and they might get sick, leave, or even rebel against you.

Cult of the Lamb mixes an adorable artstyle with frenetic combat and detailed simulator-style town management. If you enjoy games like Hades, you'll get a kick out of this one.

Available on: PC

Genre: Cooperative Survival Horror

Price: $13.99

Phasmophobia lets you play as a professional ghost hunter, exploring abandoned buildings and decrepit houses to find evidence of the paranormal.

You can play the game with up to three other people, using either a standard mouse and keyboard or a virtual reality headset. At the start of every round, you'll need to choose which tools you want to bring — night vision cameras, thermometers, Ouija Boards — and work together to find ghosts without being possessed.

The game uses proximity voice chat, meaning that if you stray too far from your teammates, they won't be able to hear you anymore. You can even try talking with the ghosts if you have the right tools… But not all of them are happy to chat.

Phasmophobia was a viral sensation on Twitch in 2020, and still racks up hundreds of viewers each month. And although multiplayer sessions are fun, try playing it alone for the biggest scares.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS

Genre: Turn-based RPG

Price: from $40.40

You can't celebrate Halloween without throwing on some Halloween costumes. And dressing your friends and family up in ridiculous costumes is what Miitopia is all about.

Originally released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016, and then remastered for the Switch in 2021, Miitopia is a fun fantasy RPG that turns your custom Mii characters into wizards, warriors, and more. Together you'll go on a quest to defeat the Dark Lord, a demonic entity — also played by one of your Miis — that's been stealing people's faces.

While turn-based battles take up a lot of the game, you'll spend just as much time managing your Miis. Every character you make has their own personality, and the relationships between your Miis will affect how well they fight and how they grow. It's as much of a life simulator as it is an action game.

The updated Nintendo Switch version also includes an extremely detailed character creator, perfect for assembling your dream team.

Available on: PC, Mac, Linux, Android

Genre: Roguelike Shoot-'Em-Up

Price: $4.99

Vampire Survivors is one of those games that you'll turn on, and three hours will pass without you noticing. It's immensely addictive and infinitely replayable, to the point that some are calling it the best game of 2022.

Gameplay is simple: You pick a character, you're placed in a wide-open area, and monsters start heading your way. You now have to survive for 30 minutes, slaying enemies and upgrading your abilities. It might seem easy at first, but by five minutes in, you're going to be mobbed by more creatures than you can count.

Every round is a learning experience, and no matter how far you get, every round unlocks new characters and items. And at only $5, it's more than worth the price.

Available on: PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox

Genre: Visual Novel, Dating Simulator

Price: from $11.99

We live in a golden age for monster romance. And nowhere is that more clear than in Monster Prom, a dating simulator that lets you pair up with werewolves, demons, mermaids, and more.

The game starts you out at Spooky High, a school where every student is a different sort of monster. You've got three weeks to find a date for the Monster Prom, and every action you take leads you down a new path. There are hundreds of unique scenarios, and six different monsters you can romance. And every pairing is available no matter your gender or orientation.

Monster Prom is weird, but even more than that, it's heart-breakingly genuine. Between the beautiful art and absurd story, Monster Prom will make you believe in love again.

Best of all, the game has three different sequels — Monster Prom: Second Term, Monster Camp, and Monster Roadtrip — all available on Steam for less than $12 each.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Genre: Action Adventure, Shooter

Price: $49.99

Metroid Dread is the latest in the massively influential side-scrolling shooter series. You play as bounty hunter Samus Aran, sent to the planet ZDR to investigate and destroy a race of dangerous parasites. But once you arrive, you're trapped in a deep underground cavern and hunted by killer "EMMI" robots.

Samus is strong, but the EMMI robots are stronger. As soon as an EMMI sees or hears you, it'll chase you down like a rabid lion. You'll spend a big chunk of the game frantically running for your life as the EMMIs sprint down halls and bite at your heels.

Metroid Dread is equal parts fun and terrifying. It's a perfect match for any Switch owner looking for a challenge.