The Nintendo Switch turned 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, the latest Nintendo Directs seem to suggest the opposite, detailing a plethora of games that are set to drop on the console over the next year or so.
While the Nintendo Switch has already had a pretty busy year so far, with Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Triangle Strategy, and Chocobo GP being 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, including Sea of Stars and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Nintendo's own first-party line-up is very promising.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land - March 25
One of the most anticipated games of the year, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is 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 though Kirby and the Forgotten Land is 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 Land seems 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 Sports is an unabashed Wii Sports successor. 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 in Switch Sports. With more sports apparently coming in updates, Nintendo Switch Sports should keep fans of the series invested for a while. Hopefully Nintendo Switch Sports will offer some real gameplay variety, as well as a hit of nostalgia.
Mario Strikers: Battle League - June 10
A seeming return to form for the Mario sports series, Mario Strikers: Battle League pits 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, with brutal tackles and a variety of offensive items being completely allowed. With up to eight players being able to jump in locally, and a whopping 20 for online modes, Mario Strikers: Battle League may be one of the best multiplayer titles of the year.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes - June 24
It may not be a new Fire Emblem RPG in the same vein as Three Houses, but Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes may be enough to tide fans over until the next mainline entry. Using the hack-and-slash gameplay now synonymous with the Warriors franchise, Three Hopes looks like a visually impressive, and satisfying to play Switch title that looks like a solid improvement over its 2017 predecessor.
Splatoon 3 - Summer
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Another of the year's most highly anticipated titles, Splatoon 3 heads to the Switch at somepoint this summer. Taking the responsive gameplay of the last two entries and kicking it up another notch, Splatoon 3 looks 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 the co-op survival Salmon Run mode all come together to make Splatoon 3 a game that's likely worth playing.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - September
The next entry in this action RPG franchise, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 continues 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 the Chronicles series, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 marks the eighth Xeno game overall. Fans of JRPGs should definitely keep their eye on this one.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet - Late 2022
Marking the series' ninth generation, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are heading to Switch towards the end of the year. While Pokemon Legends: Arceus marked a fresh new departure for the franchise, Scarlet and Violet seem to be backpedaling a little. Scarlet and Violet will apparently be open-world, but it might not be on the same scale as Arceus, and will likely retain the same gameplay that's standard in a mainline Pokemon entry. Despite that, the brief trailer released so far shows off some vibrant Spain-inspired locales, and some adorable new Pokemon. While it may be more of the same, it's still probably going to be a solid Pokemon experience.
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 Camp has just been delayed indefinitely by Nintendo. Citing "recent world events," likely meaning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nintendo has decided to push Advance Wars 1+2 back 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 to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has 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 released Elden Ring drawing a great deal of Breath of the Wild comparisons, 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 3 finally 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 that Bayonetta 3 will 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 hit Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, titled Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, is also slated for a 2022 release. The original's turn-based combat was 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 for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
