10 Nintendo Switch Exclusive Games To Be Excited For In 2022

With the console nearly five years old already and no concrete sign of a more powerful iteration on the horizon, there’s a ton of pressure on Nintendo right now to keep the software momentum going in 2022 if they’re keen on continuing to sell bucketloads of the Nintendo Switch.

While there are definitely some huge hitters on the way, it remains to be seen what surprises Nintendo’s first party studios and exclusive development partners have up their sleeves and how many of the most anticipated titles will actually release in the next 12 months.

As usual, the below is a list of games that are either confirmed to be – or anticipated to be – released in 2022 and are exclusive to the Switch at least at launch and among console platforms. Of course, with continued challenges facing development studios globally thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the below is subject to change and being pushed back further to 2023 and beyond.

Let’s hope not though, because there’s some seriously exciting stuff to come!

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Release Date: January 28

Nintendo is starting the Switch’s 2022 off strong with a brand-new Pokémon title, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus is looking like the pseudo-action RPG Pokémon experience that fans have been clamouring for for ages. Comparisons to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are common, but as far as we know it’s not strictly open-world and still features plenty of the classic Pokémon gameplay elements that fans are used to. The steampunk style and early-ages Sinnoh region setting should be an interesting one, and we can’t wait to see what surprises lie in store.

The cheapest copy: $68 at Amazon with free shipping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUW1ZWAq09M

Triangle Strategy

Release Date: March 4

Square Enix has been huge on supporting the “HD-2D” titles that its been publishing since Octopath Traveller took the JRPG world by storm, so it’s great to see the concept being applied to another cult favourite genre – the humble tactics RPG. Conjuring up memories of Final Fantasy Tactics and Fire Emblem, Triangle Strategy marries the classical isometric tactics RPG style with modern sensibilities and the unmistakable HD-2D beauty. Characters and narrative  look to be a big focus here, so hopefully they prove compelling when the game releases in March.

Chocobo GP

Release Date: March 10

Final Fantasy kart racing, you say? I’m sold already! While this is actually not the first time we’ve had a Chocobo racing game, it’s been over 20 years since the PSX original and Square Enix now has a wealth of Final Fantasy-related content and references to potentially stuff the game with. The Switch feels like the perfect fit for the game too (just look at Mario Kart), so if the racing is as solid as the fanservice this could be a surprise hit for 2022.

Rune Factory 5

Release Date: March 25

It released in Japan back in May last year, but the rest of the world will finally be able to play Rune Factory 5 in March this year. The next big entry in the long-running sim RPG series will feature the same farming, monster taming and socialising that fans love, and in a welcome twist the English version of the game will allow players to enter same-sex marriages for the first time.

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Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Release Date: TBA

Kirby and the Forgotten Land was a huge surprise when it was announced last year. Mixing mainline Kirby gameplay with fully 3D action is a bold move in a series that desperately needed a shake-up, and it all looks incredibly gorgeous. Fingers crossed this one turns out as good as it looks and redeems the pink puff ball after the less-than-stellar Kirby Star Allies.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp

Release Date: TBA

This one was actually meant to release in December last year, but was delayed so that the developers could give it more polish and fine tuning. A remake of the beloved Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising turn-based strategy games on the Game Boy Advance, Re-Boot camp covers both campaigns with updated gameplay and visuals.

Splatoon 3

Release Date: TBA

Splatoon has been something of a runaway success for Nintendo, with Splatoon 2 selling over 12 million copies to date on the Nintendo Switch. The newest entry is due out this year and features the same combination of single-player adventure and addictive multiplayer modes alongside tons of player customisation and social features. Splatoon 3 is beefing up the selection of weapons and abilities as well as bringing back the 4v4 Turf War mode, and it promises a much more significant single-player story than the previous entries.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel

Release Date: TBA

Nintendo’s been teasing it for a while now, but 2022 should finally be the year we see the successor to the utterly-successful The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. There’s still a lot we don’t know about the game’s setting and story, but we do know that it features a lot more verticality and interaction with the skies above Hyrule, as well as a few new abilities for Link to use. We’re anticipating something quite similar in structure and scope to the original, but potentially with a darker tone and a deeper exploration of the lore. Hopefully we know more sooner than later.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Release Date: TBA

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle took the world by surprise when it combined Nintendo’s iconic characters with those annoying Rabbids from the Rayman universe in an Ubisoft-developed turn-based strategy game. It shouldn’t have worked, but the end product was legitimately great, and so the promise of a sequel is very enticing. Sparks of Hope looks to expand the original’s grid-based combat into something more freeform, with less linear level design and enemy encounters that happen outside of the standard combat scenarios.

Bayonetta 3

Release Date: TBA

After four long years we can finally expect to see Bayonetta 3 in 2022 and our first, extensive look at gameplay has us more excited than ever to be back in control of our favourite bad-ass witch. While there’s still much we don’t know about the third game in the beloved action series, Bayo’s repertoire of abilities looks to be hugely expanded and even seems include giving players control of one of the demons that she’s able to summon in-game. Colour us incredibly keen.

Metroid Prime 4

Just kidding, that’s definitely not happening this year.