Now that the world is finally returning back to normal after the whirlwind of COVID, video game studios are back to work. There were a lot of delays and setbacks– so there might be some awesome Nintendo Switch games you’ve forgotten are on the horizon. Don’t worry, we’ve picked out some of the best ones coming later in 2022 and throughout 2023!
All we can say is that it’s going to be a great couple of years to be a Nintendo fan!
(Note: these aren’t in any particular order, just games we’re excited to play finally).
1) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
When is it coming? Spring 2023
Let’s kick this list with what’s arguably the most anticipated Switch game: the sequel to the critically acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The first is regarded by many as a masterpiece, and we’re all excited to return to the world of Hyrule with the first direct sequel to mainline Zelda since Majora’s Mask almost over 20 years ago.
While details are scarce, it was disappointingly missing at this year’s E3 and June’s Nintendo Direct– however, the hype train is still choo-choo! Here’s what we do know though. Players will once again take on the role of our hero Link, and the titular character Princess Zelda is thought to play a bigger part in this game than she did in the first– and might even be playable this time around but that’s yet to be confirmed.
From the few trailers we have, we’ve seen that Link’s arm has been corrupted by Malice, which should give him some new powers to use. From the looks of it, the corrupted arm will talk to the place of the sheika slate, which gave you the power of freezing time (stasis), bombs, and a few other tricks to navigate the world and solve puzzles. The few abilities we’ve seen are the return of stasis (albeit with some upgrades), the ability to teleport through the ground and other structures, and a few scenes showing our hero controlling fire.
It also looks like even though we’re still in the same Hyrule, this time we’ll get to explore the underground and even take to the heavens. Knowing Nintendo, there’s likely to be Nintendo Direct dedicated to showcasing more of the game later this year but only time will tell.
2) Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet
When is it coming? November 18, 2022
Pokémon is making its return to the Switch after successful runs with Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Based on the recent trailer, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet seems to be returning to form. You’ll again be picking from three starter Pokémon following the traditional setup of grass (Sprigatito), fire (Fuecoco), and water (Quaxly)– each one equally adorable. This time around, however, they’re introducing a multiplayer feature where you and up to four friends can trade Pokémon, battle, and even explore areas together online.
While the game is set to release later this year, Nintendo and Game Freak have been hush-hush about revealing too much. They haven’t released the name of the region we’ll be trekking in and battling in or much else outside of a few new Pokémon, which are Lechonk, Smoliv, and Pawmi.
Regardless, we’re excited to jump back into the world of Pokémon late this year in November. And this will definitely be on many kids’ (and adults!) Christmas list this winter for sure.
3) Xenoblade Chronicles 3
When is it coming? July 29, 2022
Another one of Nintendo’s exclusive masterpieces, this massive open-world RPG is finally coming to the Switch this summer. If you’ve been playing since the first two games, then this one should definitely be on your “must-buy” list as it’s finally wrapping up the trilogy. We know they’ve made some changes to the formula, such as increasing the party count to seven and introducing a new combo system where party members can link up and unleash furious attacks on the big baddies.
And if you’re new to the series, it might be worth catching up on the first two or at the very least watching a few YouTube videos to get an understanding of the deep and rich narrative. Regardless, it will still be a fun ride with a massive world to explore and plenty of interesting characters to meet along the way.
4) Bayonetta 3
When is it coming? 2022
After 8 long years, the sultry a**-kicking, demon-bashing, angel-killing Bayonetta is set to make her return later this year. The brain-child of Devil May Cry’s creator Hideki Kamiya, you can expect high-octane action that’s full of fun and sexy style. This time around, they’re kicking things up another notch. You can expect massive battles like we’ve never seen before with Bayonetta and her Wicked Weave taking Godzilla-sized monsters– all with the witty (maybe cheesy) one-liners we’ve come to love.
Bayonetta was missing from this year’s June Nintendo Direct, which has some fans worried there might be a Zelda-esque delay. Here’s hoping that it’s still on track!
5) Persona 5 Royal
When is it coming? October 21, 2022
The Phantom Thieves are finally coming to the switch in Persona 5 Royal! Touted as one of the best RPGs in recent memory, it’s definitely one that will be perfect for the Switch. The Royal edition includes all released DLC, adds new memorable characters to gain skills from, and comes with a few Nintendo-exclusive additions as well. If you haven’t had a chance to play (or if you want to hop back in), this is another must-buy that will give you 100s of hours of entertainment and fun.
Did one of the games you’re looking forward to not make this? Drop as a comment below and let us know what games you’re excited for that’s coming to the Nintendo Switch!
