A big year of fantastic launches lies in store for the Nintendo Switch, but when is that not the case? Year after year, month after month, Nintendo continues to produce excellent games that cater to their fans and innovate on the many technical qualifications of their platforms. Here at TheGamer, more than a few of us are crossing the days off our calendars, waiting for the floodgate which is the coming year to open, releasing a stream of jaw-dropping and long-awaited titles right to our doorsteps.
While there are some iconic choices that absolutely demand a mention, there are also a handful of hidden gems slated to launch on the Switch that stoke our excitement as well. Read on to see what our most anticipated Nintendo Switch games of 2022 are.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
by Michael Christopher
What is there to say about this game that hasn’t already been said? It’s a completely new direction for the Pokemon series, and one that has many people overjoyed, because it’s been a long time coming.
An open world, more dynamic combat, new regional variants — these are the types of things Pokemon fans have begged for time and time again. It looks like Legends: Arceus will be a new step for a franchise that has, quite frankly, become a bit formulaic.
Set in a feudal era long before the modern-day, this game will be a brand new look at the Pokemon world. You’re tasked with helping create the first Pokedex, making use of the landscape and terrain, primitive Poke Balls, stealth mechanics, and more. It has, of course, drawn comparisons to Breath of the Wild, but that’s really a compliment more than anything.
As we get closer to the January release date of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, ignore the inevitable hate and complaining that always comes from a loud minority with a new Pokemon game. Come to your own opinions about the game, and even if it’s not for you, try to appreciate that, finally, after all these years, the Pokemon franchise is looking in this direction.
The best Pokemon anime theme song goes like this: “It’s a whole new world, with a brand new attitude.” This new world awaits you, Trainer, so as the song says, be the best that you can be.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus releases worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on January 28, 2022.
Two Point Hospital
By James Troughton
Nintendo’s upcoming slate is stacked with hit after hit, but Michael took Arceus and Amanda took Lego, so I’m going to gush about a little indie called Two Point Campus. It’s a sequel to Hospital, the simulation game that sees you building your own network of grossly capitalistic health services, filling your halls with vending machines and overworked janitors slumping about, cleaning up the mess of inconsiderate slobs.
Where do you go next after an eerily realistic depiction of American healthcare? An eerily realistic depiction of American education, of course! Extort your students, wrangle as many cents out of ’em as you can, and pump up the profits with this new university simulator. Look too deep and aye, it’s a bit bleak, but on the surface, it’s a polished simulator that manages to be fun for hours on end. Hospital gave me something to sink my teeth into on a boring day and I’ve no doubt Campus will do the very same - sometimes, that’s all you need from a game.
Triangle Strategy
By Stephanie Minor
To put my excitement for Triangle Strategy into words feels like an impossible task. Sure, the name of the game is nothing to get excited about, but were we really expecting anything different after names like “Octopath Traveler” and “Bravely Default”? Name aside, this upcoming title from Square Enix seems to have everything I could want in a game. Triangle Strategy appears to take the grid style, strategic combat that I adore from Fire Emblem and combines it with the beautiful HD-2D engine that Octopath Traveler was made in.
But Triangle Strategy appears to be doing more than just using some of the best aesthetics and gameplay mechanics from other beloved games. It has taken these mechanics and built on them by adding in other factors the player can use to their advantage, such as terrain and elemental reactions. Despite loving both Octopath Traveler and Fire Emblem, I’ve always wished I had more influence over the outcome of the stories through impactful dialogue choices, and — you guessed it — Triangle Strategy is set to include that aspect too.
So, you’ll have to excuse me for dropping off the face of the earth come March 4, 2022. Considering I’ve put more than 1,000 hours into Fire Emblem: Three Houses, I can only imagine how long I’ll be engrossed in Triangle Strategy.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
By George Foster
Who would have ever thought a crossover between Mario, the king of platformers, and Rabbids, the king of killing platforming legends, would ever work so well? The first game, Kingdom Battle, proved that to us back in 2017 by not only combining Nintendo and Ubisoft but combining buckets of whimsy with some challenging tactical gameplay.
Sparks of Hope looks like it’s going to take all of that tactical gameplay and charm and dial it up to 11, with what looks to be some significant tweaks to the formula. We’ve only seen a little so far, but it’s already shaping up to be one of 2022’s most exciting Switch games — if only that Luma Rabbid would stop looking so dang creepy…
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
By Stacey Henley
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is going to rule. Isn’t it? Hopefully? Maybe? Look, we haven’t seen all that much of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk yet, but it looks a lot like Jet Set Radio, and that’s enough for me.
Actually, as I’ve already written about, I think calling it a spiritual successor to Jet Set Radio does a disservice to both games, but there is some similarity between the two. Both seem to be counterculture, anti-authoritarian adventures in a minimalist, angular city, with fast and zippy traversal and ‘90s grunge-era baggy clothes. Climb, jump, grind, and skate your way around town, spray graffiti, and never forget that ACAB.
FAR: Changing Tides
By Helen Ashcroft
Okomotive’s FAR: Changing Tides is a sequel to FAR: Lone Sails and sees the adventure move from land to sea, as players set sail in a steampunk-style ship they’ll need to keep afloat. You play as Toe, and like its predecessor, the game’s focus is on interacting with your vehicle as you explore the world around you.
FAR: Changing Tides is about the journey, not the destination. When life is moving at a fast pace having time to just enjoy exploring a beautiful landscape with hidden secrets and puzzles to solve is a great way to spend some time. The pace is slow but Lead Designer Don Schmocker tells us there are still challenges to overcome. “It [FAR: Changing Tides] is similar to FAR: Lone Sails with challenges and puzzle areas on the way. We wanted to give them more depth and to do more storytelling with them,” he says. It looks set to be a perfect title to pick up and play in short bursts when you just want to escape.
Chocobo GP
By Meg Pelliccio
The recent Nintendo Direct unveiled a host of new titles for players to be excited about, but none caught my eye more than Chocobo GP. I love it when two of my favorite things get mashed together, so the idea of a Final Fantasy-themed Mario Kart-style game has me really excited. The reveal trailer showed a number of well-known Final Fantasy characters, such as Gilgamesh and Vivi, all of whom are in an adorable chibi style.
The stages are lifted from past Final Fantasy titles, such as Zo Zo and the Gold Saucer, so you can race around some of your favorite fictional locales. It also looks like the racer you choose has a set ability unique to them. For example, the trailer showed Gilgamesh using his many weapons to attack his fellow racers. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to sabotage your competition, such as using Magicite to stop them in their tracks. I can’t wait to see what other Final Fantasy easter eggs and cameos make an appearance, and more importantly, I can’t wait to kick my friends’ butts on the track.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
By Amanda Hurych
Call me basic, but I happen to adore the straightforward collect-a-thons that most Lego games embody. Each time a new entry pops out, especially if it covers one of my favorite franchises (I’m looking at you LOTR), I play the game with eagerness and enthusiasm. The original Star Wars Lego games wrapped the beloved movies in the comedic trappings of the Lego formula, and The Skywalker Saga appears to do the same thing for a new generation.
Though the title is launching on multiple platforms, I intend to play it on the Nintendo Switch. Even now, I can see a vision of my future using the power of the Force (and just plain old logic). It’s me unlocking every character on the daily commute. It’s me chuckling over Lego Star Wars antics while chilling at the mall. It’s me swinging my lightsaber at every breakable item I can find while enduring a long car drive. Having a Lego experience on-the-go is an unparalleled delight, which is exactly where the Nintendo Switch comes in. The Force will be with me come Spring 2022.
NEXT: Video Game Release Dates 2022
