A Nintendo Switch fan created an impressive infographic looking back at the immense amount of first-party and third-party games released in 2022. The Nintendo Switch saw one of its most successful years yet, and 2022 featured many new game announcements for upcoming releases in 2023, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Pikmin 4.
The Switch was a polarizing console during its initial launch in March 2017, but the intriguing home console and portable hybrid helped catapult Nintendo to success last seen during the Wii era. Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a monumental launch title that effectively sold the hybrid console concept as a true mainstay in the market. Many more Switch games are coming soon nearly six years after the console's launch from Nintendo and third parties alike. As a result, players have begun to look back at the incredible amount of major game releases from 2022 and what may come soon throughout 2023.
Reddit user u/ieatdragonz created the "Nintendo Switch 2022 Year in Review" infographic featuring all the major games released each month during the past year. The Nintendo Switch infographic includes indie titles, first-party Nintendo games, and third-party games from publishers such as Square Enix, Activision Blizzard, SEGA, and Bandai Namco. Nintendo began their year on a strong note with Pokemon Legends Arceus, a prequel to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that blends turn-based action with open-world exploration elements. During 2022, the company followed up with more major releases including Kirby and the Forgotten Land in March, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 in July, Splatoon 3 in September, and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet in November.
The Switch infographic by u/ieatdragonz also depicts DLC releases from 2022 such as the multiple waves of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass DLC and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 DLC. When combined with hundreds of third-party games released throughout 2022, the infographic shows an impressive lineup of games for Switch in a single calendar year. December closed out the year with multiple new games including Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion, Sports Story, and Dragon Quest Treasures.
2023 should have a plethora of brand-new game releases for Switch fans to continue the console's momentum from the past year. Fire Emblem Engage, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe are just a few of the many Switch games that fans can look forward to. Further, notable games such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 3 will continue to receive major updates and DLC in 2023.
Nintendo has many plans in store for 2023, and the beginning of a new year usually brings speculation around the next Nintendo Direct as well. It's only a matter of time before Nintendo further outlines its plans for 2023 with updates to the Nintendo Switch Online and brand-new game announcements. If rumors are true, Nintendo may be preparing a Switch 2 for the foreseeable future. For now, players should catch up on the latest games and look back at the incredible year the Switch had in 2022.
