After a rough year in 2020, video game production was able to ramp up again in 2021, meaning that 2022 is shaping up to be a great year for gamers. Nintendo is going to have an especially bright year with numerous AAA titles (many of which have been long-awaited) launching for the Nintendo Switch.
From Star Wars to the return of Bayonetta, a franchise that's been dormant since 2014, 2022 is going to be an excellent year for the Nintendo Switch, proving the company's continued commitment to the system despite rumors that a next-gen console might only be a few years away.
Evil Dead: The Game
Arriving on all major consoles in February is Evil Dead: The Game. The gameplay is a mixture of Left 4 Dead and Dead by Daylight, where a group of survivors must battle against the dead in order to escape with their lives and save the world.
The game is already receiving hype thanks to the wildly popular franchise and the voice acting of horror legend Bruce Campbell. It's also a great way for zombie fans to play a game like Back 4 Blood since it sadly wasn't released for the Switch.
Metal Slug Tactics
The newest entry in the Metal Slug universe is going to be a Switch exclusive (at least in the console market). Metal Slug Tactics will be a tactical RPG that allows gamers to use super attacks, unlock weapons, and earn upgrades, making it perfect for fans of RPG and roguelikes.
Better yet, it's building upon the already-praised Metal Slug franchise, which first began in 1996 in arcades. Ports of the original game were eventually launched on PlayStation and the SEGA Saturn, introducing a broader audience to a franchise that has since released almost 20 games and counting.
Metroid Prime 4
After not having a console game in over a decade, the Metroid series has suddenly sprung back to life. Metroid Dread was launched to rave reviews earlier in 2021, and in 2022, the Switch will receive yet another Metroid game with Metroid Prime 4.
Whereas 2021's Metroid Dread was a sidescrolling Metroidvania in the game's classic style, Metroid Prime 4 will resume the 3D adventure style of its famous GameCube predecessor. Nintendo is keeping pretty quiet as to what gamers can expect from the new title...which is only making fans more ravenous to find out.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Some people feel that Kirby is the forgotten hero of Nintendo. He never gets the attention of Mario or Donkey Kong, yet Kirby games still manage to wow fans. From Kirby's Dream Land to Kirby's Epic Yarn and more, the oft-forgotten character still manages to make a splash whenever a new game is unveiled.
Now, Kirby and the Forgotten Land could be one of Nintendo's biggest hits of 2022. The game will transport the pink puffball into a bright and saturated 3D platformer. Kirby will keep his trademark ability to mimic bad guys, which has always created a unique gaming experience that allows gamers to mix and match a wide variety of special abilities.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
In 2017, the Switch brought together two extremely random IPs - Nintendo's famous mascot Mario...and the Rabbids, which originated from the Rayman franchise. To make things even weirder, the game was a tactical RPG, a genre Nintendo isn't exactly known for.
However, the game ended up being a smash hit filled with humor and challenging combat. In 2022, the sequel, Sparks of Hope, will reunite the two franchises once more as they team up to defeat an evil force that has plunged the universe into chaos.
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta is another odd Nintendo franchise. It doesn't really line up with the rest of the console's games. Even stranger is that Bayonetta actually began as an Xbox and PS title, but was later acquired as a Nintendo exclusive. However, the series is actually widely praised by both critics and gamers thanks to its intricate story, engaging combat mechanisms, and captivating characters.
In Bayonetta 3, Bayonetta will be battling a mysterious evil throughout the streets of Tokyo. The game will also include new combat features and special combos to help give Bayonetta 3 a fresh and unique feel compared to the earlier games.
Splatoon 3
In the most Nintendo move ever, Splatoon took the arena shooter genre and made it more wholesome and family-friendly...without sacrificing exciting and addictive gameplay.
Rather than shooting and killing your enemies, Splatoon is a paint battle where each side needs to cover as much of the playing field in their color as possible. Splatoon 3 builds on the popular series and adds its own campaign mode, new levels, and new paint guns. But most importantly, the 4 v. 4 online battles will return, making it an excellent game for friends to play for a good dose of competition.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Releasing in January, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set to be Nintendo's first big hit of 2022. Taking place before the rest of the series, Arceus is a semi-open-world RPG adventure. Imagine blending Pokemon with Breath of the Wild. According to what's known so far, the game takes place in the distant past, and players are tasked with creating the region's very first Pokedex.
It should be interesting to encounter new pokemon that are completely unknown to the Pokemon universe, and it's sure to create lots of surprises that will keep fans hooked. Furthermore, the large levels will really foster exploration which will help gamers get to know the region, meet the locals, and dive deeper into the game's lore.
Star Wars: Hunters
The full details around Star Wars: Hunters are being kept somewhat under wraps, but what's known is that it will be a free-to-play title (likely resulting in various in-game purchases) that will let players fight against each other online in arena-style battles. There's set to be a large variety of playable characters, including everything from bounty hunters to stormtroopers and Jedis.
The multiplayer aspect feels like it will make Hunters go down as one of the best Star Wars games of all time and will give it tons of replay value. The game will only be available for mobile and the Nintendo Switch, meaning the Switch is the only way for gamers to battle on the big screen.
Breath of the Wild Sequel
Though the game still hasn't been given a title, it's kept the internet talking for almost a year now, and gossip really kicked into high gear after a trailer was released at the 2021 E3 event. What is known about the mysterious Breath of the Wild sequel is that it will utilize the skies above Hyrule, with numerous levels taking place atop a sprawling cloudscape.
Anticipation isn't the only thing that's sky-high for the new game. Breath of the Wild is regularly cited as the best Zelda game, the best Switch game, and even one of the best Nintendo games of all time, meaning the sequel has to compete with some pretty lofty expectations. However, with a great team behind it, chances are that it will be a massive hit.