TheNintendo Switchturned five just a few weeks ago, and while past console generations have often packed their bags around this time, the Switch doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Despite rumors at the start of the year claiming that a Switch successor was in the works, thelatest Nintendo Directsseem to suggest the opposite, detailing a plethora of games that are set to drop on the console over the next year or so.
While theNintendo Switchhas already had a pretty busy year so far, withPokemon Legends: Arceus,Triangle Strategy, andChocobo GPbeing just a few of the console’s recently released titles, the year is far from over and the Switch still has plenty to offer. While there are plenty of indie and third-party titles heading to the Switch this year, includingSea of StarsandLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Nintendo’s own first-party line-up is very promising.
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Kirby and the Forgotten Land - March 25
One of the most anticipated games of the year,Kirby and the Forgotten Landis dropping on Switch in just a few days time. From all the trailers and in-depth looks fans have gotten so far, it seems as thoughKirby and the Forgotten Landis going to be a sizeable step-up for the franchise, taking the charming mascot platformer and finally giving him the full 3D treatment. With more abilities than ever, co-op functionality, and a semi-open-world structure,Kirby and the Forgotten Landseems like it’ll be a real fan-pleaser, and maybe one of the console’s best family games.
Nintendo Switch Sports - April 29
A game that’s been highly requested ever since the Switch first released in 2017,Nintendo Switch Sportsis an unabashedWii Sportssuccessor. Bringing a total of six sports to the game, including classics like tennis and bowling, along with new games like volleyball and badminton, there seems to be a decent amount on offer inSwitch Sports. With more sports apparently coming in updates,Nintendo Switch Sportsshould keep fans of the series invested for a while. HopefullyNintendo Switch Sportswill offer some real gameplay variety, as well as a hit of nostalgia.
Mario Strikers: Battle League - June 10
A seeming return to form for theMariosports series,Mario Strikers: Battle Leaguepits five against five in a chaotic soccer match. In a slightly odd, but welcome breath of fresh air for the family-friendly franchise, players are encouraged to play very offensively, withbrutal tackles and a variety of offensive itemsbeing completely allowed. With up to eight players being able to jump in locally, and a whopping 20 for online modes,Mario Strikers: Battle Leaguemay be one of the best multiplayer titles of the year.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes - June 24
It may not be a newFire EmblemRPG in the same vein asThree Houses, butFire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopesmay be enough to tide fans over untilthe next mainline entry. Using the hack-and-slash gameplay now synonymous with theWarriorsfranchise,Three Hopeslooks like a visually impressive, and satisfying to play Switch title that looks like a solid improvement over its 2017 predecessor.
Splatoon 3 - Summer
Another of the year’s most highly anticipated titles,Splatoon 3heads to the Switch at somepoint this summer. Taking the responsive gameplay of the last two entries and kicking it up another notch,Splatoon 3looks to be a natural (but still impressive) next step for the franchise. A fully fleshed out story mode, the classic competitive multiplayer of its predecessors, and theco-op survival Salmon Run modeall come together to makeSplatoon 3a game that’s likely worth playing.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - September
The next entry in this action RPG franchise,Xenoblade Chronicles 3continues the story of the first two mainline titles, taking place in a world heavily shaped by the events of those games. While this is the third mainline entry in theChroniclesseries,Xenoblade Chronicles 3marks the eighthXenogame overall.Fans of JRPGsshould definitely keep their eye on this one.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet - Late 2022
Marking the series' ninth generation,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare heading to Switch towards the end of the year. WhilePokemon Legends: Arceusmarked a fresh new departure for the franchise,Scarlet and Violetseem to be backpedaling a little.Scarlet and Violetwill apparently be open-world, but it might not be on the same scale asArceus, and will likely retain the same gameplay that’s standard ina mainlinePokemonentry. Despite that, the brief trailer released so far shows off some vibrant Spain-inspired locales, and some adorable newPokemon. While it may be more of the same, it’s still probably going to be a solidPokemonexperience.
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Switch Games That Could Drop in 2022
Along with all the confirmed titles for this year, there’s still a handful of highly anticipated Switch titles that have a strong chance of dropping this year. Though very little has been shown for these games, with just a trailer or two for each, these titles have been slated for 2022 for quite some time.
Originally set to release in just a few weeks time on April 8,Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camphas just been delayed indefinitelyby Nintendo. Citing “recent world events,” likely meaning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nintendo has decided to pushAdvance Wars 1+2back to an unspecified date. While fans may be disappointed by the delay, it’s easy to see Nintendo’s logic; a game about invading cities using tanks, no matter how stylized, might seem in poor taste right now.
A sequel toThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildhas been slated for a 2022 release for a while now, but with only one trailer being shown so far, and no indication of when fans will get to see more, some are losing hope that they’ll get to play it this year. With the recently releasedElden Ringdrawing a great deal ofBreath of the Wildcomparisons, it would be interesting to see how a direct sequel would stack up against it, but fans will just have to keep their hopes up for now.
A game announced five years ago,Bayonetta 3finally received a gameplay trailer in September 2021, and was given a 2022 release date. With quite a few years of development behind it, it seems likely thatBayonetta 3will release this year, especially as it’s taken this long for PlatinumGames to be ready to show anything tangible.
A sequel to the surprise crossover hitMario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, titledMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, is also slated for a 2022 release. Theoriginal’s turn-based combatwas surprisingly complex and satisfying, so the announcement of a sequel has pleased a bunch a Nintendo fans, though the game is apparently moving away from fully turn-based encounters. With a gameplay and cinematic trailer already being shown during E3 last year, a 2022 release window seems likely forMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
