And we’re back! Another year is done and dusted, one filled with Switch games. It may not have been the original Zelda or Mario, but Pokemon fans got a double bubble in 2022. Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to fill and maintain the year.
We have a great selection of these powerful Pocket Monster packs Kirby (add a tasty side dish), sports selection (both Transition and Mario Strikers various), a great trio of games with ‘3’ in the title (Xenoblade, Splatoonand bayonet) and with both Koei Tecmo and Ubisoft at the helm of the Nintendo IP Fire Emblem Warriors: The Three Hopes and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope according to.
And that’s just the first-party products. Throw in all the quality third-party releases – Square Enix in particular has been on fire with games like this this year Triangle strategy, Dragon Quest Treasuresand Crisis Basis — including an excellent Indian flood Dream citizen, Neon White, tunicand Chained echoesa huge selection of retro collections and a plethora of quality ports of games big and small, and there just aren’t enough hours in the day to play everything we want.
That brings us to our picks for the top 50 best Switch games of 2022. As always, we asked Nintendo Life readers to rate this year’s games and the list below – moderated by User Ratings for each title. our game base – is the result. The order can and will change after publication is subject to changing User Ratings, which means it’s never too late to rate your collection (even those arriving in late December) and influence the list.
Can’t see your favorites? Go to our side A library of Switch games and use the search bar to find what you’re looking for (or scroll to the very top of this page to do the same). Note. To be eligible, the game must be rated by a minimum of 30 users.
Enough waffle. Let’s scroll down and enjoy the 50 best games of the year, 2022 release…
Publisher: Epic Games / Developer: Mediatonic
Autumn Children‘ brand of chaotic fun is still great after all these years, and the free-to-play Switch release is no different, as long as you ignore the choppy framerates of your competitors. While there are some frustrating elements to cross-progression, it won’t matter the first time you enter Blunderdome. Some moments of lag and framerate quirks aside, the Switch version offers a solid way to play if you’re looking for some barmy 60 bean combat and the barrier to entry has never been lower.
Publisher: SloClap / Developer: SloClap
Sifu it was one of the best games of the year when it launched on other platforms, and it’s no different now on Switch. Its gritty combat that pushes you to the limits of your skills combined with a smart aging mechanic makes for one of the most satisfying gaming experiences ever. beat ’em up genre. While the Switch port is obviously a bit of a downer from the PS5 version, it’s still a viable option for Nintendo-only gamers and those looking to try this kung fu fighter on the road.
Publisher: Electronic Arts / Developer: Hazelight
If you were even half aware of gaming news at the end of 2021, you will already be a little interested in this game. It’s full of fun, uniquely committed to co-op games, plays solidly and differently, and usually rejects one great idea in favor of another before it’s time to get bored. For the Switch, the now standard graphical compromises have been made, and the typical benefit of playing handheld is always questionable for a split-screen co-op game. Even so, it moves frames well enough not to spoil its Game of the Year shine. It takes two and the good old Switch may not be a perfect marriage, but it’s worth celebrating.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Nintendo Switch Sports is a tempting but barebones proposition. It’s not a bad game by any means, but it doesn’t have much to warrant a solid recommendation. Online play is the best option on offer, with unlockable customizations and a predictably larger player pool, but its limited scope means you’ll be doing the same thing over and over again. Local play is hampered by the lack of unlockables at all, and with such limited options to change how each sport is played, solo play is a slog. It’s fun to have fun here, but it’s more in the vein of 30-minute play sessions with friends than anything else with long-term appeal. Nintendo Switch Sports is “good”, but little more than that.
Publisher: Ubisoft / Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection is a great compilation of some of the most highly rated entries in the series. Aside from some battles that lack depth and a complex story, the three games included here are totally worth your time. If this is your first Assassin’s Creed experience, there’s still a lot of fun to be had, the cities still manage to impress with their scale and historical detail, but some of the older gameplay elements and glitches may make other entries skip a beat. point. Rebel collection If you want a more modern, nautical interpretation of the series, it’s a great alternative. However, if you’re already a fan and can tolerate its flaws – old and new – it’s an enjoyable journey through (video game) history and an easy recommendation.
Publisher: Go digital / Developer: Massive Monster
Cult of the Lamb Roguelite proves to be a pretty fresh take on the genre, not only with its goofy and creepy aesthetic, but also with its clever mix of action and survival mechanics. The gameplay remains tense without ever feeling unfair, and a steady stream of unlockables and collectibles ensures that your efforts are always rewarded. Unfortunately, performance doesn’t suffer, at least during launch, as that’s our only major complaint here. We’d still give a hearty recommendation to anyone who thinks this might be up their alley; it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Cult of the Lamb proves to be a great new addition to the Switch library.
Publisher: Yacht Club Games / Developer: Nitrom
Shovel Knight Drill is another winning and enjoyable entry in the popular indie knight’s growing legacy, offering exciting, challenging gameplay that will appeal to fans old and new alike. While it’s a bit short, every minute of Shovel Knight Dig positively oozes quality, whether it’s the nimble action platforming or the fresh 16-bit art style and animation. We’d highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys original platformers, or anyone looking for a tough (but not too hard) new roguelite. Shovel Knight Dig has got it where it counts and can stand tall next to its noble predecessors.
Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Bandai Namco
For those who love Pac-Man and its historical lineage, Pac-Man Museum+ it’s the best collection yet, spanning decades and featuring their most notable titles. The arcade overworld is a nice touch, although the frame rate is a huge let down and really should have been ironed out. While you may spend some time crafting and designing your arcade space, the appeal of the gimmick is ultimately short-lived. Presentation shortcomings aside, neither the comprehensiveness of the collection nor the quality of the titles (well, other Peace in Time). It’s a Pac-fest, and while it certainly has limited appeal, it provides countless hours of gaming fun and fascinating historical insight into the evolution of the yellow sphere.
Publisher: TO MOW / Developer: TO MOW
Sonic Origins on the one hand, it’s an intimate way to experience four stone-cold classics that represent the highest peaks of Sonic’s career. On the other hand, most of these games are already out there and don’t have many new features or additions to justify buying them again. The cutscenes, museum elements, and missions are all very enjoyable, but they’re also the bare minimum you’d expect for such a prestigious and popular series.
For gamers ready to play these classics for the first time, Sonic Origins is the best way to experience Sonic’s 16-bit heyday. Die-hard 2D Sonic veterans may be less than impressed with the package and the small but noticeable differences between the Classic Modes presented here and the games in their true original configurations. Regardless, it’s nice to have Sonic CD in a convenient form on most consoles. Not perfect, but a great comfort-food game.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Omega Power
Fire Emblem Warriors: The Three Hopes A thoroughly entertaining collection of Musou mayhem, strategy, and relationship-building aspects that should satisfy fans of both franchises involved. It improves on its 2017 predecessor in several ways, most notably offering a more compelling story with a narrative ripe for multiple replays. With impressively solid performance on Switch and an action-packed campaign that will see you blast your way through tens of thousands of enemies for a good 30 hours in one game, this is where Omega Force is best served. till now
