WayForward just released Spidersaurs on the Nintendo Switch

WayForward has released Spidersaurs on the Nintendo Switch, bringing its run-'n'-gun shooter to the console's digital storefront as of February 11, 2026. The title is available now via the Nintendo eShop.

The game tasks players with neutralizing a breakout of genetic hybrids that were originally engineered to solve global food shortages. It supports two-player local co-op and features two distinct characters: Victoria, a punk rocker, and Adrian, an officer-in-training. Both characters utilize a weapon system that borrows heavily from the genre classics of the late 1980s.

A spiritual successor to Contra 4

While Konami holds the rights to the Contra franchise, WayForward has a legitimate claim to that lineage. The studio developed the highly regarded Contra 4 for the Nintendo DS in 2007, which is widely considered one of the strongest entries in that series. Spidersaurs functions as a modern continuation of that design philosophy.

The gameplay loop adheres strictly to the run-'n'-gun format. Players navigate six stages including jungles, laboratories, and volcanoes while collecting power-ups. The weapon roster includes twelve types, ranging from standard spread guns and lasers to more esoteric options like "detonating footballs" and "bass-heavy electronica."

The science is questionable

The narrative premise is that a company called InGest Corp created these monsters to provide humanity with a new meat source. The plan obviously failed when the food started eating the customers. The game leans into this B-movie aesthetic with an animated intro produced by Powerhouse Animation, the studio responsible for the Netflix Castlevania series.

This tone extends to the difficulty settings. Instead of the standard Easy, Normal, and Hard, the game categorizes its challenge levels as "Well Done," "Medium," and "Rare."

Technical features and modes

Beyond the main campaign, the release includes an unlockable Arcade Mode and a Speedrun Mode, catering to the high-score community that keeps this genre alive. The game also features a specific "mid-level checkpoint" system, though purists can likely bypass this for a more authentic arcade experience.