30 Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games To Look Forward To In 2022
The most anticipated games of 2022
A new year is almost upon us, bringing the promise of new video games to one and all. We've have seen some fantastic games on Switch in 2021, but it's also true that several big names slipped into new year — for understandable reasons. Add those to the Switch games previously scheduled to arrive in the next 12 months and 2022 is already shaping up very nicely!
Below we've rounded up 30 of the biggest Switch games we're looking forward to. They run the gamut from AAA first-party offerings to promising-looking indies. Nintendo habit of not announcing games until a couple of months prior to release means there is always a sizeable gap on the calendar after the first few months, but you can be certain there'll be more first-party surprises on store for 2022. Even without those, there's already plenty to look forward to.
We had a lot of great titles in 2021 with the likes of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Bravely Default II, Monster Hunter Rise, New Pokémon Snap, Famicom Detective Club, Game Builder Garage, Mario Golf: Super Rush, Tony Hawk's 1+2, Disgaea 6, Monster Hunter Stories 2, Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, WarioWare: Get It Together!, Metroid Dread, and Mario Party Superstars *breathe* — plus a new Pokémon remake and a huge number of amazing indie titles. 2022 has its work cut out to match the sheer variety of games that came to Switch the previous year, that's for sure.
So, let's take a look at our most anticipated Switch games ...
Windjammers 2 (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Dotemu
Release Date: 20th Jan 2022 (USA) / 20th Jan 2022 (UK/EU)
First shown in 2019 and delayed from its planned launched at the end of 2020, Dotemu's sequel to the iconic original was reeled back in so the team can polish up various aspects, with a focus on super solid net code. The release slipped once more from 2021 into the first month of 2022 and will finally launch on 20th January.
We're eager to take to the court and see if we've still got what it takes a mind-bending 27 years after Data East's arcade original.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)
Release Date: 28th Jan 2022 (USA) / 28th Jan 2022 (UK/EU)
Confirmed for a 28th January 2022 launch, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set long long ago in the Sinoh region (Gen 4 for the non-Poké Fanatics) and sees you on an adventure to compile the region's very first Pokédex. We've recently revisited that region in the Switch remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but we'll get to go back in time in this spin-off that looks like it may shake up the tried-and-tested-and-a-little-bit-stale formula of the mainline games.
It promises a different flavour of Pokémon adventure and we're excited to see how this spin-off can take the Pokéverse in new directions in 2022.
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Pokemon Legends Arceus + Steelbook + Ball Cartridge
Life is Strange Remastered Collection (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Square Enix Europe / Developer: DONTNOD Entertainment
Release Date: 1st Feb 2022 (USA) / 1st Feb 2022 (UK/EU)
Originally scheduled for 2021, Life is Strange Remastered Collection was pushed back until 1st Feb 2022. We very much enjoyed the sequel, Life is Strange: True Colors, and we can't wait to go back and revisit the previous games in the series on our favourite handheld hybrid system.
We're talking about the Nintendo Switch, by the way. Geez. Kinda obvious, really.
OlliOlli World (Switch eShop)
Developer: Roll7
Release Date: 8th Feb 2022 (USA) / 8th Feb 2022 (UK/EU)
Announced over the summer, this is a very different look for the series after the success of the original two games. Once again you'll be skateboarding through tricky courses and performing all sorts of neat tricks, but this time it's in an extremely colourful world with an overhauled visual style. This'll offer some much-needed warm-weather vibes when it arrives on 8th February 2022.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch)
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Release Date: Q2 2022 (USA)
A new 3D Kirby action-adventure scheduled for release in Early 2022, it looks like Kirby will be saving kidnapped creatures in this intriguing-looking entry in the Kirby canon. You'll be blasting enemies and battling bosses in environments that look like they could have been ripped from any number of post-apocalyptic open worlds — a very colourful apocalypse, but an apocalypse all the same!
Card Shark (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Nerial
Release Date: 2021 (USA)
Showcased in the Nintendo Indie World presentation in August 2020, you'll build up a reliable repertoire of sneaky card tricks to employ at the games tables as you cheat your way to the top of high society as an 18th century French card shark in the appropriately named Card Shark.
It looks to be a stylish little adventure game from developer Nerial and publisher Devolver Digital, and although it was originally slated for a 2021 release, it's now coming sometime in 2022.
Outer Wilds (Switch)
Release Date: 2021 (USA)
A 22-minute timeloop game that we've had our eye on for quite some time on other consoles, Outer Wilds was finally announced as coming to Switch in late 2021... although it obviously missed that window.
Not to be confused with The Outer Worlds, which is already available on Switch, Outer Wilds was one of the games we hoped to see get a Switch port at the start of 2021 so we're thrilled we'll soon be able to play it on-the-go — hopefully in the first months of 2022.
Sports Story (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Sidebar Games / Developer: Sidebar Games
Release Date: TBA
First announced in December 2019 for a mid-2020 release, this Switch-exclusive sequel to early indie hit Golf Story was delayed and after looking out for it throughout 2021, we're now hoping to see Sidebar Games' sporty RPG hybrid arrive sometime in 2022. If Sports Story is anything like as fun as the Mario Golf-inspired original, it'll be more than worth the wait.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Obsidian Entertainment / Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Release Date: 2020 (USA) / 2020 (UK/EU)
Obsidian's Pillars of Eternity picked up the torch put down by Baldur’s Gate many moons ago, and both of those games are available to play on your favourite Nintendo hybrid handheld. Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire is coming soon and is set five years after the events of the previous game. It's been available on PS4 and Xbox One since January 2020, although it had its own performance issues on these consoles. Hopefully the extra time taken with the Switch port will iron out any significant issues, assuming all is still well.
This was expected to arrive in Early 2021, although we're fast approaching Early 2022 and haven't seen or heard squat. We've got our fingers crossed that we'll see it soon.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Mediatonic
Release Date: Q3 2021 (USA)
Mediatonic's Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is a battle royale affair which puts you in control of a colourful creature as you battle up to sixty other players in platforming challenges, races, mini-games and more. It launched on PC and PS4 back in August 2020 and its frantic multiplayer fun became something of a sensation, and players desperate for a silly social outlet in the most serious of years found just the thing in Fall Guys.
The Mediatonic team has since been snapped up into the Epic Games family, but this Switch port was originally scheduled to fall in our laps in "Summer 2021", but it was since been delayed, and delayed again. Looks like we'll be seeing it in 2022.
Sol Cresta (Switch eShop)
Publisher: HAMSTER / Developer: PlatinumGames
Release Date: TBA (USA) / TBA (UK/EU)
A brand new shmup from PlatinumGames coming to Switch and featuring music from the one-and-only Yuzo Koshiro? Yes, of course we're looking forward to this one. It was originally scheduled for a 9th December 2021 release until PlatinumGames announced a delay via a Very Sorry Stream. A revised launch date hasn't been announced yet, so watch this space.
TRIANGLE STRATEGY (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: 4th Mar 2022 (USA) / 4th Mar 2022 (UK/EU)
When it comes to names, Square Enix's marketing team don't produce the snappiest titles — perhaps they're just reluctant to give up the established SEO after they've announced a working title which has caught on — but this continuation of the Octopath Traveler 'HD/2D' style looks similarly gorgeous. True to its title, Triangle Strategy (formerly Project Triangle Strategy) is being published by Nintendo and will add a turn-based tactical slant to the stylings of the previous game.
We enjoyed the demo and can't wait to see this massaging our eyeballs from the screen of a Switch OLED when it releases on 4th March 2022.
Chocobo GP (Switch)
Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: 10th Mar 2022 (USA) / 10th Mar 2022 (UK/EU)
We love a bit of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe around these parts, but despite its brilliance, we're definitely down for some fresh karting content. Enter Square Enix's Final Fantasy kart racer Chocobo GP.
This Switch exclusive will feature a bunch of courses set in and around locales from the Final Fantasy series, with a story mode, 64-player knock-out tourneys, Time Attacks, and various other modes you'd expect to see in a kart racer. Sounds like just the ticket, at least while we wait for a 'Mario Kart 9' announcement. It's out on 10th March 2022.
.hack//G.U. Last Recode (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: CyberConnect2
Release Date: 11th Mar 2022 (USA)
A trilogy remaster of the original action-RPGs that first launched on PS4 back in 2017 (the remaster, not the original PS2 game), .hack//G.U. Last Recode adds a fourth Reconnection chapter that serves as an epilogue following on from Rebirth, Reminisce, and Redemption. This collection on Switch is a loose .hack series 20th anniversary tie-in launching on 11th March and it'll be the series' debut in Europe, too.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: 2022 (USA) / 2022 (UK/EU)
To say that we've wanted to see the return of the 'Wars' series for a while would be the understatement of the decade — fans of Advance Wars in particular have wanted to see the series back in the spotlight, but ever since Fire Emblem: Awakening really took off in the West, developer Intelligent Systems has had its hands full with swords, axes and lances.
Fortunately, WayForward has advanced to the front line with this remake combining the first two Game Boy entries. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp marches to Switch on 3rd December 2021... at least it did originally until getting delayed until 12th March 2022. Looks like somebody stopped the cavalry this Christmas.
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Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (Switch)
Publisher: Atlus
Release Date: 17th Mar 2022 (USA) / 17th Mar 2022 (UK/EU)
Coming on 17th March 2022 as part of Persona's 25th anniversary celebrations, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax might not be the Persona 4 (or Persona 5) we were asking for, but this well-received fighter was co-developed with Arc System Works back in 2013/14 so we're eager to see how this updated "Ver.2.50" will look and play on Switch — we've got high hopes for it.
Sure, Atlus might be adept at bringing the wrong Persona games to Switch, but when the wrong games are this and Persona 5 Strikers, it's really not so bad.
Rune Factory 5 (Switch)
Publisher: Marvelous (XSEED)
Release Date: 22nd Mar 2022 (USA) / 22nd Mar 2022 (UK/EU)
The latest game in the sword-filled life sim RPG series (the first release was literally subtitled 'A Fantasy Harvest Moon', Rune Factory 5 was originally scheduled for 2020, but as with so many games it has slipped into next year. The gameplay trailer broadcast as part of the Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase in September showed off the wholesome farming and fiend-flaying gameplay the series is known for.
Rune Factory 5 is out now in Japan and although it was originally scheduled for release in the West sometime in 2021, the launch was postponed to 22nd March 2022.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Switch)
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive / Developer: TT Games
Release Date: Q2 2022 (USA) / Q2 2022 (UK/EU)
Pushed from 2020, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has since been delayed for a second time and finally for a Spring 2022 release window during Opening Night Live of Gamescom 2021.
The game will give you the opportunity to play through all nine sci-fi stories in rejigged, reimagined, and decidedly blocky fashion with modern spit-polish. Expect more controllable minifigs than you'll know what to do with. We'll be calling dibs on General Grievous next spring.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ (Switch)
Release Date: Q1 2022 (USA) / Q1 2022 (UK/EU)
Coming in 'Early 2022', Pac-Man Museum+ collects together over 40 years of Pac-Man games in one pill poppin' collection. 14 games will be included, featuring classics like the original arcade game, Pac-Man Championship Edition, and the more recent mobile Pac-Man 256 (from the developer of Crossy Road, no less).
There's no shortage of Pac-Man on Switch, but this collection includes some more obscure entries in the yellow one's back catalogue, and the whole package looks like a fine way to sample some sweet gaming nostalgia on-the-go.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (Switch)
Publisher: Atlus / Developer: Vanillaware
Release Date: 12th Apr 2022 (USA) / 12th Apr 2022 (UK/EU)
Released on PS4 in the West back in 2020, Atlus is bringing the acclaimed 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim to Switch on 12th April 2022. The narrative revolves around a conflict between Kaiju and mechas, with a bunch of high-schoolers — 13 to be precise — getting involved in RTS-style battles when they're not wandering around a 2D side-scrolling world.
If all that hasn't piqued your interest, we're not sure what will. Big monsters? Big machines? Get in.
OXENFREE II: Lost Signals (Switch eShop)
Publisher: MWM Interactive / Developer: Night School Studio
Release Date: 2022 (USA)
Originally slated for 2021, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals will launch on Switch in 2022 and continue the haunting, narratively experimental gameplay of Night School's original indie darling from 2016 ('17 on Switch).
The developer has recently been acquired by Netflix — the company's first video game studio acquisition. From the first look we had of the in-development game, this sequel looks to be channelling the same coming-of-age tone and spirit of the original, so we're anxious to try it out.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Dotemu / Developer: Tribute Games
Release Date: 2022 (USA)
Dotemu is back for another slice of the retro-inspired street-brawling pizza pie after its incredibly successful bout with Streets of Rage 4. With all four heroes in a hard shell back in a new game that channels the spirit of Konami's classic arcade beat 'em up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shedder's Revenge is shaping up to be a tasty slice of co-op action and it'll be available on Switch sometime in 2022.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Switch)
Publisher: Ubisoft / Developer: Ubisoft
Release Date: 2022 (USA) / 2022 (UK/EU)
Revealed a few hours before Ubisoft's E3 2021 presentation after a snafu from Nintendo of America, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the sequel to the original excellent XCOM-alike that featured the Mushroom Kingdom gang teaming up with Ubisoft's Rabbids. It's the same production team at the helm of this one, with Grant Kirkhope back as composer, so we've got high hopes for this sequel and its space-y themed turn-based battling.
It's currently scheduled for a 2022 launch.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (Switch)
Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment / Developer: Daedalic Entertainment
Release Date: 2022 (USA) / 2022 (UK/EU)
A story-driven action-adventure game based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novels, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum looks to be channelling Andy Serkis' performance from the Lord of the Rings movies, and then some. Originally scheduled for January 2021, the game was delayed until 2022.
The cinematic trailer from The Game Awards certainly looked snazzy — we've got our fingers crossed that the gameplay can live up to the potential of both that trailer and the epic source material.
Metal Slug Tactics (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Dotemu / Developer: Leikir
Release Date: 2022 (USA) / 2022 (UK/EU)
First unveiled at E3 2021 and confirmed for Switch in the August Indie World Showcase, Metal Slug Tactics is heading to Switch sometime in 2022 and bringing turn-based tactical gameplay to the run-and-gun franchise.
Dotemu is on publishing duties for this isometric turn-based take, with Leikir Studio developing. Sonic Mania composer Tee Lopes is also working on the soundtrack, so there's no shortage of talent involved. We've got a good feeling about this one.
Splatoon 3 (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: 2022 (USA) / 2022 (UK/EU)
First announced back in February 2021, Splatoon 3 has been a 2022 game from the beginning.
The game will take you to the city of Splatsville, Splatlands (we're being totally serious) and will introduce new weapons, new stages and new ways to squirt your mates in online Turf Wars. We're hungry for more details on how this is going to update the original Splatoon's online shooter gameplay after the excellent, but very similar sequel.
River City Girls 2 (Switch eShop)
Release Date: 2022 (USA)
Wayforward is bringing this sequel to the excellent 2019 beat 'em up revival River City Girls to Switch in 2022. A neat TGS trailer for gave us a taste of what to expect in this retro-flavoured brawler and, having enjoyed the first game enormously, we can't wait to clean up the streets again in River City Girls 2.
Sonic Frontiers (Switch)
Publisher: SEGA / Developer: Sonic Team
Release Date: 2022 (USA) / 2022 (UK/EU)
Officially announced at The Game Awards 2021, Sonic Frontiers looks to be giving Sega's mascot the open-world treatment. Opinion is split whether it's more Sonic of the Wild or Sonic of the Colossus, but the general direction has a lot of promise — we've got our fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed that Sonic Team can pull it off.
In a pleasing move for fans, Frontiers will reportedly feature the return of the "entire voice cast", too. It's scheduled for a Holiday 2022 release on Switch and other platforms.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Team Cherry / Developer: Team Cherry
Release Date: 2021 (USA)
File this one under 'speculative'. Hollow Knight: Silksong, a Switch console exclusive and Team Cherry's highly anticipated follow-up to the hugely successful 2D Metroidvania Hollow Knight, was first announced in February 2019. The developers have been relatively quiet ever since, although we've seen some teases.
Obviously, 2020 came and went, and 2021 came and went, so we're hoping this sequel might arrive in 2022. Probably. Maybe. Possibly.
Bayonetta 3 (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: PlatinumGames
Release Date: TBA (USA) / TBA (UK/EU)
The Umbra Witch was a conspicuous absentee over the last few of years, despite repeated reassurances that her third series entry is coming along just fine. To be fair, we did get Platinum Games' excellent Astral Chain — one of the best Switch surprises of 2019 — but the lady with the magical hair was uncharacteristically quiet for too long; thankfully a Nintendo Direct finally showed this next entry off and confirmed a 2022 window. Phew.
Let's hope the wait was worth it.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 (Tentative Title) (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: 2021 (USA)
There were desperate hopes that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 might sneak out in 2021, but it wasn't to be. However, the E3 2021 trailer for the game confirmed a 2022 release window. Yes, we know that's a big ol' window, but at least we've got a year now!
Given the slippy nature of this particular series when it comes to making release dates, we wouldn't be at all surprised if it slipped to the following year — the last window of the 2022/23 fiscal calendar in March 2023 looks like a prime candidate, but we shall see. We'd dearly love to be diving into a new Zelda over the 2022 holidays, we just don't want to get our hopes up — we've been stung before!
And finally, let's finish up with the wildest of wild cards...
Metroid Prime 4 (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Retro Studios
Release Date: TBA (USA) / TBA (UK/EU)
Hmm, now we're deep in the realm of speculation. Having been scrapped and restarted at the beginning of 2019, with veteran Metroid Prime team Retro Studios now steering the ship, there's still a ways to go with this one — the fact that Retro was still looking for a Lead Producer as of August 2020 should clue you in that Metroid Prime 4 needs more time in the oven — a lot more time. We've seen the pitfalls and perils of rushing a tentpole game to launch before it's good and ready, and there's no way Nintendo will let Prime 4 out of its sight until it's juicy and tender.
Metroid fans got something tasty to chew on when Metroid Dread arrived in October, and it's extremely positive reception should hopefully spur on developers who have had their nose to the Prime grindstone for years.
Realistically, we're thinking Holiday 2022 is the earliest we'll see Prime 4, although with Zelda presumably targeting that same window, that might be wishful thinking. Who knows — maybe Zelda will hit in the summer... Now that is wishful thinking! With Switch 'Pro' rumours still lingering despite the arrival of the Switch OLED Model, the next year or so is shaping up to be very interesting indeed for Nintendo fans. We can't wait to see what surprises the company has up its sleeve.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Metroid Prime 4
Hold up, that's 32! Yes, seeing as Metroid Prime 4 is fervent speculation, we added another couple for luck. You lucky people!
Is there something on your radar that you think we've missed? Let us know with a comment below and tell us which of the games above you're most looking forward to.
Source: NintendoLife
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