The year 2021 has been quite remarkable for Nintendo and its IPs. However, if you were impressed by 2021’s lineup of games, wait till you see what’s in store for 2022. With the recent Nintendo Direct Online session, the Switch gaming scene has never been this exciting. Two Pokemon games, SMT V, and the announcement for Breath of the Wild 2 makes 2022 by far the greatest year for the platform. Therefore, without further ado, let’s dive into the list of upcoming games that you do not want to miss.
Shin Megami Tensei 5
Genre: JRPG
Release date: November 12, 2021
With the remastered release of Shin Megami Tensei III – Nocturne earlier this year, the next in-line game for the series would be Shin Megami Tensei V. To no one’s surprise, both games have quite a lot of similarities with each other, especially when it comes to the games’ setting. Similar to Nocturne, SMT V will have a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, a demi-fiend protagonist, a turn-based battle system with a twist— demon negotiations. This feature allows players to befriend other demons and often end battles right away, either by recruiting the demon or letting them go in exchange for an item or money.
Needless to say, the game will be introducing new abilities, strategizing opportunities, making the gameplay feel reminiscent yet refreshing.
Website - https://www.atlus.com/smt5/
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Genre: RPG
Release Date: November 11, 2021
Although the remake for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic will be coming out to PS5 and PC sometime in 2022, you can still get to experience the original title on your Switch. Players will be able to enjoy the game in its vanilla state, allowing them to customize their own Force-sensitive characters in order to defeat the formidable Sith Lord, Darth Malak.
Website - https://www.swtor.com
Mineko’s Night Market
Genre: Adventure/Simulation
Release date: TBA 2021
If you are more into cute and adorable, kitty-themed games with chibi-styled characters, then you might want to check out the trailer for Mineko’s Night Market. The game is very similar to Animal Crossing where the prime objective is to carve your own story. In Mineko’s Night Market, you can explore, craft, and more importantly, breed cats. These adorable kitties will be following the player around, who has recently moved into Mount Fugu Island. With the help of your big cat friend Abe, you will be exploring the island and gathering resources to either craft or sell at the marketplace.
Mineko’s Night Market also features a huge variety of mini-games, and lots of felines furballs to befriend.
Website - http://minekosnightmarket.com
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
Genre: Horror, Survival
Release date: February 4, 2022
Next up, Techland’s well-acclaimed post-apocalyptic, open-world survival game, Dying Light 2 will be getting ported to the Nintendo Switch as well. The game will be available to play for PS5 and Xbox users in December, with the Switch version being released in early 2022. That being said, the sequel to the original Dying Light has been one of the most highly anticipated titles, offering a zombie survival experience unlike any other. The game will be playable in first-person perspective and will feature several gameplay mechanics. Players will be capable of performing several actions, such as parkour, using walls for cover, and much more. In fact, the developers confirm that there will be over 3000 parkour animations to provide a seamless and fast-paced running experience.
The weapons arsenal is also worth noting. Players can equip and use weapons for different ranges, especially for long-range. And interestingly, Dying Light 2 allows players to upgrade these weapons using different blueprints. Furthermore, the game will officially be available for Switch on February 4, 2022.
Website - https://dl2.dyinglightgame.com
Triangle Strategy
Square Enix and its upcoming tactics-based title, also known as Project Triangle Strategy, will be arriving on the Switch, sooner than expected. Triangle Strategy is being made by the same team responsible for making the popular Octopath Traveler. To get a better idea of the game, you can picture it as a fusion of Octopath Traveler and the Fire Emblem series.
With its demo being available earlier this year, the development team has taken several flaws into account and they strive to further refine the game. These improvements include additional camera features, options to toggle difficulty settings, as well as a feature to review previous dialogues.
Website - https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/triangle-strategy-switch/
Bayonetta 3
Genre: Hack-and-Slash
Release date: TBC 2022
Everyone’s favorite witch, equipped with hand-and-foot guns, is finally coming back to action. The enchanting Bayonetta and her upcoming game will be arriving sometime in 2022. Taking a look at the trailer itself, players can expect tons of new gameplay elements like Demon Masquerade, a feature that allows Bayonetta to fuse with Infernal Demons to become even more formidable. And if that isn’t enough, she will also be capable of using Demon Slave— an ability that lets Bayonetta manipulate Infernal demons at will. Needless to say, Bayonetta 3 is definitely one of the most anticipated titles on this list.
Website - https://www.platinumgames.com/games/bayonetta-3
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Genre: RTS/Action
Release date: TBC 2022
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is the second crossover between Ubisoft and Nintendo’s Mario. With several new faces, our original heroes Sparks and Rosalina will be making their return, after being faced with a galactic-level danger following the appearance of Curse, their new adversary. Needless to say, the game will be proceeding ahead and beyond the classic Mushroom Kingdom, including a much wider and immersive Mario + Rabbids universe. All of the worlds will also be available for free exploration. Moreover, the combat system will also be more refined following the removal of the grid system, enabling players to freely take control of each character during battle.
Website - https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/mario-rabbids/sparks-of-hope
Splatoon 3
Genre: Action
Release date: TBC 2022
The upcoming installment to the Splatoon series will be having players leave Inkopolis, migrating to a new region named the Splatlands. During their stay, players will experience the game in a more refreshing manner, duking it out with other battle-savvy inklings and Octolings in the so-called ‘City of Chaos’, Splatsville. Nevertheless, a newer title means new mechanics. Hence, players can expect some noticeable changes to the splat-tastic multiplayer scene, the inclusion of a bow, and a wider array of customization options. Not to mention, the game will become even faster-paced with the introduction of enhanced movement abilities.
The release date for Splatoon 3 has yet to be confirmed. However, players can expect the game to arrive in Q3 2022.
Website - https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/splatoon-3-switch/
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Genre: Platformer
Release date: Spring 2022
Along with the announcement of the Breath of the Wild sequel, another big surprise during the recent Nintendo Direct session was the announcement of the upcoming Kirby and the Forgotten Land game. From the looks of it, the trailer indicates that we will likely be seeing Kirby on a thrilling adventure in a post-apocalyptic setting. Kirby ends up being washed onto a shore before he sets off to venture through a world filled with abandoned buildings. Nintendo claims the game will be a 3D platformer, therefore, players should expect a nostalgic experience.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land will likely release in Spring 2022.
Website - https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-switch/
Bear and Breakfast
Genre: Simulation/Adventure
Release date: TBC 2022
If you’ve ever wanted to run a Bed and Breakfast business in the woods, Bear and Breakfast could possibly be the game you’ve always wanted. In Bear and Breakfast, players can expect themselves to turn an abandoned shack in the woods, into a rather profitable Bed and Breakfast business. The game will be offering a wide array of customization options, from building up your hot spots, to decorating the entire décor of the place. And considering the game is a laid-back management title, you can expect a certain degree of strategizing to achieve your milestones.
With tons of customers to serve and meet, the game is set to release sometime in 2022.
Website - https://www.bear.game
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Genre: Strategy
Release date: March 2022
Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a tactical RPG game being developed by the XCOM developer, Firaxis. The game will probably be one of the few titles to integrate superhero elements in the strategy genre. Midnight Suns will allow players to utilize a team of 12 superheroes, in order to take down the formidable Mother of Demons, Lillith. Furthermore, players will be starring as a customizable Marvel hero called The Hunter. And seeing how things are, you are probably the final line of defense against the fearsome Underworld.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns will be available for purchase in March 2022.
Website - https://midnightsuns.2k.com
Blue Fire
Genre: Action/Platformer
Release date: TBC 2021
Penumbra is an ancient kingdom filled with mysteries and hidden secrets of the long-forgotten world and you are tasked with exploring it. This 3D platformer has a rather daunting art style, having players explore mysterious dungeons, interact with survivors across the kingdom, and also gather different types of resources and collectibles. Blue Fire will be featuring a huge variety of enemies to fight and conquer, making the experience quite refreshing throughout the game’s playtime. Blue Fire and its versatile elements will certainly keep us engaged throughout Summer 2022.
Website - https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/blue-fire-switch/
Card Shark
Genre: Adventure
Release date: TBC 2021
You may have played different types of card games but Card Shark will be bringing something quite refreshing and new to the table — cheating. Card Shark features a roguelike progression system, along with a plethora of mini-games to invest your time in. And unlike other card games, Card Shark will be focusing on ‘real card manipulation techniques’, similar to the Comte de Saint Germain. With stakes continually getting higher and more victories to achieve, this game is definitely worth your time and attention.
Website - https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/card-shark-switch/
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Genre: RPG, Open-world
Release date: January 28, 2022
Pokemon Legends Arceus is quite possibly the most revolutionary and biggest upgrade we will be seeing to the Pokemon series, ever since its first game. Similar to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokemon Legends: Arceus will have players explore the Sinnoh region, with the objective of completing the PokeDex and becoming the Pokemon Champion. However, things will be a bit different this time, considering the series will be seeing an overhaul of its RPG mechanics.
Nintendo claims the game will be a true open-world experience, bringing the Pokemon games one step closer to insurmountable immersion. Trainers will be able to catch, study, and battle Pokemon in their natural habitat. Needless to say, for us, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is just one of the most exciting titles to experience in years.
The official release date for Pokemon Legends: Arceus will be January 28, 2022.
Website - https://legends.pokemon.com/en-us/
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Genre: RPG
Release date: November 19, 2021
After the remarkable success of the original Pokemon Diamond and Pearl games, the game will be available on the Switch to experience once again, with breathtaking new visuals and gameplay elements. The upcoming remakes are officially named Pokemon Brilliant and Diamond and Shining Pearl, bringing the very same plotline and generation of Pokemon that made us fall in love with the Sinnoh region. Players will be unveiling the secrets of the region while exploring new areas, catching new pokemon, and of course, striving to become the next Pokemon Master.
The two games are only a few weeks away from being released on November 19, 2021.
Website - https://diamondpearl.pokemon.com/en-us/
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
Genre: RPG
Release date: TBC 2022
By far, the biggest announcement for the Switch and quite possibly the entire gaming community this year has to be the announcement of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s sequel. Considering the exhilarating experience from its prequel, Breath of the Wild 2 will be continuing from where the last game left off, having players dive into the fantastical kingdom of Hyrule and facing Calamity Ganon once again and quite possibly defeating him once and for all.
The game will certainly be receiving new upgrades and refined gameplay mechanics, enhanced abilities, and even the option to teleport through structures and wield the power of fire. All in all, whether you are a Nintendo fan or not, you simply cannot skip playing the Breath of the Wild series.
At the moment, the official release date has yet to be announced. However, the game will definitely be releasing in 2022.