Some of the hottest releases are coming sooner than you think (iStock/The Independent)
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The Nintendo Switch has seen a healthy library of first-and third-party games since its release in 2017, and even when it’s technically been outperformed by the Xbox and PlayStation consoles, its software is tough to beat.
The recent follow-up releases of the Switch lite and the Switch OLED models have also meant there are more ways to enjoy Nintendo titles on the go, whether you’re looking for something more compact or a brighter display, respectively, for each system.
The immense popularity of the console has only been matched by the quality of these games. And as the Nintendo eShop is extremely active for game developers of all sizes, there’s a healthy choice of games at various prices.
In this list, we will keep you updated with all our anticipated games that are confirmed to launch on the Switch in 2022 and will add new entries as they’ve been announced.
Announced at Nintendo Direct in June, Harvestella is a life-sim RPG where players farm, fight and forge friendships in a new fantasy world called Lethe. The seasons gently flow from spring, summer, autumn, and winter, however, they’ll eventually give way to the season of death, Quietus. The fate of the village depends on players stopping the Death Season from wreaking havoc.
Sonic Frontiers is the latest 3D Sonic the Hedgehog title that will see the titular blue blur race across vast open fields in a mysterious new setting. A story trailer released during Gamescom 2022 showed off new details about “Starfall Island”, a new open-zone setting where Sonic must rescue his friends from a mysterious ancient threat. Could this be Sega’s answer to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The two games will see players transported to a new region with two new professors, Sada and Turo. From the trailers already released, we know players will get to choose from three all-new starter Pokémon; Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly, which are grass, fire and water types.
Fans of the pocket monster-catching franchise will already be familiar with how these games are released. Starting with Red and Blue back in 1996, Pokémon games are always launched in pairs, with Scarlet and Violet set to continue that trend.
Fire Emblem Engage is the next mainline game in the Fire Emblem series after Three Houses. The game takes place in Elyos, a continent consisting of four realms surrounding a holy land at its centre. A thousand years ago, a vicious war broke out between the people of Elyos and the Fell Dragon.
With a new protagonist that looks like a mascot for a leading brand of toothpaste, expect to see a return to tactical turn-based combat with some other familiar faces, such as Marth, returning to the series as well.
Kirby returns for another sidescrolling adventure in Return to Dreamland Deluxe, a remake of the original 2011 release on the Nintendo Wii.
Up to four players can join the action as they help Magalor rebuild his broken spaceship, after it crash-lands on Planet Popstar. The deluxe version of the game will feature a new mecha copy ability for the first time.
Tears of the Kingdom has been confirmed as the sequel to Breath of the Wild, and looks set to take hero Link to new heights in a fragmented open world.
Nintendo has kept a tight lid on many of the game’s details but from trailers we have already seen, it could be much darker in tone than its predecessor.
