- Primary Subject: Indie Games / Low-Budget Masterpieces
- Key Update: An editorial spotlight highlights five iconic low-budget indie games—Hollow Knight, Vampire Survivors, Celeste, Balatro, and Undertale—that deliver experiences rivaling or exceeding AAA titles.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 20, 2026
- Quick Answer: Low-budget indie games like Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Undertale often deliver AAA-quality gameplay, rich storytelling, and high replayability at a fraction of the cost.
When the topic of good video games comes up, people usually think of AAA. Granted, many are so good that they deserve all the praise in the world, but they're not the only ones that can promise a fantastic experience. There are some video games out there which, despite not having a large budget or the backing of major developers in the industry, are of a quality that goes beyond that of AAA status.
Those are the ones you should consider playing, especially if you're looking for something fun that gives you more than your money's worth. I have a long history with such games, so I will be confidently pointing out some examples of low-budget treasures that should pique your interest.
1. Hollow Knight
You cannot have a list like this without mentioning Hollow Knight, as Team Cherry's project is arguably the best example. Although there's no official disclosure of the budget, the Kickstarter raised at least $43,000, and labor costs were around the lower to middle end of six figures.
But what came out of that was one of the best platformer metroidvanias to ever exist. Hollow Knight is a game with fantastic environmental storytelling, rich lore, engaging combat, and an expansive world with lots to do. It can also get brutal, but the harsh difficulty is a part of the charm, which is why many people consider it one of the best low-budget video games.
2. Vampire Survivors
This game had a budget of around $1000, and given what it offers, the amount is justifiable. The gameplay is super simplistic: move around, collect power-ups, and don't get overwhelmed by the monsters trying to devour you. You don't press any buttons other than the ones that let you move, so you'd think it would be an easy but boring game, right?
Amazingly enough, it isn't. So much is going on, from seeing damage numbers grow exponentially higher to the amount of uncontrollable powers you see on-screen, that there's never an unengaging moment. Vampire Survivors always keeps things fun despite its extremely simple controls, which is why it's an amazing low-budget video game.
3. Celeste
While no official budget was ever disclosed, it's safe to assume Celeste was on the lower end, given that it was funded independently by its creators with no major backing whatsoever. That, and it was and still is relatively cheap to purchase.
But for its price, you are getting one of the best, if not the best, platformers ever to grace the world of gaming. Everything about the controls feels so precise, so much so that when you mess up, you know that it's definitely your fault. It also helps that the music is beautiful, the environments look great, and the obstacles are the right amount of difficult, making Celeste a low-budget video game nobody should skip out on.
4. Balatro
Like Celeste, Balatro's budget wasn't disclosed, but it's stated that the actual cost was close to zero. This is because it's a game that was treated as a side project by someone called LocalThunk, whose main investment in it was mostly personal time and effort rather than monetary.
And all that hard work paid off, as Balatro became one of the most popular deck-building games ever. All you have to do is get enough good hands of cards and reach a score threshold, and keep moving on to the next. But the roguelike elements where regular and special cards are randomized help keep it interesting and engaging, no matter how many times you play it. The game is addicting, and you'll keep coming back for more.
5. Undertale
Similar to Hollow Knight, Undertale is one of the prime examples of a low-budget video game whose quality goes beyond even that of AAA titles. It was built mostly by one person, Toby Fox, and had an approximate budget of $51,124 thanks to the Kickstarter campaign. Fans saw the vision and chose to believe in it, and boy were they right to do so.
To this day, Undertale is regarded as one of the gold standards for indie RPGs. With timeless and beautiful music, combat that's both unique and fun, and a cast of characters that leave a long and lasting impression, it would be a shame not to give the game a try. Its only issue is that it's a relatively short game, even when going for its multiple endings. Still, it's a low-budget video game that became a cultural phenomenon, and it will always be worth your money to give it a shot.
While these games didn't have the backing that AAA titles usually do, they still more than delivered. So, consider playing them when you can, assuming you haven't already. If not, this should at least help you realize that amazing games can come from anywhere, regardless of budget, and not just from big players in the video game industry.
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