I Hate Running Backwards is a never-ending, adrenaline-packed shoot-'em-down roguelite built around destruction. You fight endless waves of enemies while time-traveling through procedurally generated, fully destructible worlds. Originally released on October 19, 2018, and published by Return Digital, the game arrives on Nintendo Switch as an eShop NSP package. This page refreshes the file details, the core gameplay breakdown, and the current download mirrors so you can grab the build without hunting through outdated listings.

The premise is simple and loud: Sam and friends are stuck in a mixed space-time continuum, and they have to battle the giant Ugh-Zan — this time reincarnated as a giant mech — along with his armada of deadly monsters. The chase carries you across different time periods and environments, from Aztec jungles to the deserts of Egypt, with a deadly boss waiting at the end of each area. If you want a Switch shooter that rewards constant movement, weapon swapping, and environmental chaos, this one fits the bill.

Download I Hate Running Backwards NSP

Technical Specifications

What I Hate Running Backwards Actually Plays Like

Strip away the title and you get a twin-stick-style, wave-based shooter with roguelite structure. The emphasis sits squarely on destruction and on fighting never-ending waves of enemies, and the game leans into that loop rather than hiding it. Each run drops you into a procedurally generated stage where almost everything can be blown apart. Cover is temporary by design — the terrain breaks, so you can't camp behind a wall and pick enemies off at leisure.

You pick your character, then blast away with a high-powered arsenal that includes shotguns, lasers, rocket launchers, singularity cannons, and other weapons. The weapon variety is the core of the moment-to-moment fun: different tools change how you clear a wave, and swapping loadouts keeps a long session from feeling like the same fight repeated. Because stages are procedurally generated, you won't memorize a fixed layout and coast — you read the arena fresh each time.

Time Travel as a Level Structure

The story frames the action as a chase through a mixed space-time continuum. Sam and his crew pursue Ugh-Zan, reincarnated as a giant mech, across distinct historical backdrops. The Aztec jungle and the deserts of Egypt are the named environments, and each one ends with a boss encounter. That structure gives the endless waves a destination: you're pushing toward the next boss rather than grinding for its own sake.

Party Play and the Arcade Category

The eShop listing tags this as Arcade, Shooter, Action, and Party. That last tag matters. The game is built to be loud and shareable, and the wave-and-boss rhythm works well when you're handing a controller around. If you're looking for a slower, more tactical shooter, this isn't the one — it's a game that rewards aggression and constant motion.

Key Features

• Endless wave combat: Fight never-ending waves of enemies in a shoot-'em-down roguelite structure built around destruction.
• Fully destructible, procedurally generated worlds: Stages are generated fresh, and the environment breaks apart as you fight.
• Deep weapon arsenal: Shotguns, lasers, rocket launchers, singularity cannons, and more, each changing how you clear a wave.
• Multiple playable characters: Pick your character before each run and approach the waves with a different feel.
• Time-travel campaign framing: Battle Ugh-Zan — now a giant mech — across periods from Aztec jungles to the deserts of Egypt.
• Boss encounters per environment: A deadly boss awaits at the end of each area, giving each run a clear finish line.
• Eight supported languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Russian, and Chinese.
• Compact NSP package: The base game ships at 1.4 GB, so it fits comfortably on a standard microSD card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Destruction is the point, not a side effect — destructible arenas keep fights moving.
• Weapon variety gives each run a genuinely different rhythm.
• Procedural generation adds replay value for short, repeat sessions.
• Boss at the end of every environment gives the endless waves a target.
• Broad language support out of the box.
• Small footprint at 1.4 GB relative to many Switch action titles.

Cons

• The endless-wave roguelite loop is repetitive by design; if you want a hand-crafted campaign, this will wear thin.
• Destructible cover means you can't settle into a defensive playstyle.
• The 2018 release date means you're working with an older build; the listing does not publish a separate version number.
• Party-friendly framing assumes you have people to play with — solo sessions lean on the grind.

Version Freshness and Publisher Details

This listing reflects the eShop NSP release dated October 19, 2018, with the Title ID 01006D300AA58000 and a base file size of 1.4 GB. The publisher on record is Return Digital, with Joker2.0 credited as developer. The input does not include a published version number or a changelog, so treat any version label as estimated rather than official. If a newer build surfaces, the file size and Title ID are the two values worth rechecking first — a change in either usually signals a different package.

Because no changelog is attached to this release, you won't find patch notes here. What you can verify is the metadata: title, release date, categories, publisher, format, Title ID, size, and supported languages, all listed in the specifications table above. For other Switch eShop titles in a similar vein, you can browse the Motto Shiritai Karada no Hatenaa Game de Tanoshiku Jintai no Fushigi Zatsugaku Kyouyou Mame Chishiki Gakushuu Kuizuu Switch NSP (eShop) release, which sits in the same eShop NSP catalog.

Who This Is For

You'll get the most out of I Hate Running Backwards if you like arcade shooters that don't ask you to think too hard between waves. It suits players who enjoy roguelite run structure, who like watching a level fall apart around them, and who want something to pass a controller around with. It's less suited to anyone hunting for a long narrative campaign or a cover-based tactical shooter — the design deliberately pushes you forward instead of letting you hold ground.

If you're building out a Switch library of short-session action games, this slots in neatly alongside other arcade and party picks. The eight-language support also means it's easy to hand to friends who don't play in English.

Installation Guidance for the NSP Package

The download is a single 1.4 GB base game NSP, so you don't need to juggle multiple parts. Before you start, confirm you have at least that much free space on your microSD card plus a little headroom. Download the file from one of the mirrors below, then install the NSP using your preferred NSP installation tool on your Switch setup. Because the input does not specify a required firmware version, check your console's firmware against the release date before installing — a 2018 title generally expects a firmware build from around that era or later.

Three mirrors are listed for the base game: DataNodes, 1Fichier, and MultiUp. If one is slow or unavailable, try another before assuming the file is gone. If a link is broken, dead, or missing, report it in the comment section so it can be replaced.

Download Links

Base Game NSP (1.4 GB)

Download I Hate Running Backwards NSP

Please report any broken/dead/missing links in the comment section.

Final Take

I Hate Running Backwards knows exactly what it is: a loud, destructive, wave-based arcade shooter with roguelite bones and a time-travel excuse to throw bosses at you. The destructible arenas, the wide weapon arsenal, and the procedurally generated stages give it replay value for short sessions, while the per-environment bosses keep each run pointed at something. At 1.4 GB with eight supported languages and a clean NSP package, it's a straightforward pickup for anyone who wants fast action on Switch.

Looking for more top-rated recommendations? Check out our complete guide to the Best Nintendo Switch Games, Action.

Looking for more top-rated recommendations? Check out our complete guide to the Best Action Games.

Recommended For You: If you enjoy this game, also check out Motto Shiritai Uchuu no Hatenaa Game de Tanoshiku Zatsugaku Kyouyou Mame Chishiki Gakushuu 2-taku Kuizuu Switch NSP (eShop) Free Download and I Hate This Place Free Download for more top-rated gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions & Setup Guide