And we are back! Another year filled with Switch games has come and gone. It might lack a mainline Zelda or Mario, but Pokémon fans got a double bubble in 2022. Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Crimson and Violet peak and tail of the year.
Among these powerful Pocket Monster packages, Kirby (plus and delicious side dishes) and various sports (both Change and mario striker various), trio of excellent games with ‘3’ in the title (xenoblade, platoonand bayonet) and both Koei Tecmo and Ubisoft took the reins of Nintendo IP. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope respectively.
And that’s just first-party stuff. Add in all the quality third-party releases – Square Enix in particular was on fire this year with games like: Triangle Strategy, Dragon Quest Treasuresand Crisis Core – a number of excellent independent films, including Citizen Sleeping, Neon White, tunicsand chain echoesa great selection of retro collectibles and a host of quality gaming ports large and small, and there aren’t enough hours in the day to play everything we want.
Which brings us to your picks from the 50 best Switch games of 2022. As always, we asked Nintendo Life readers to rate this year’s games and the list below based on their User Ratings for each game. our game database – is the result. The order can and will change even after publication. are subject to fluctuating User Ratings, which means it’s never too late to rate your collection (even the pesky ones that arrive at the end of December) and impress the list.
Can’t see your favourites? go to ours Switch games library and use the search bar to find what you’re looking for (or scroll to the top of this page to do the same). Notes A game must be rated by at least 30 users to be eligible.
That’s enough waffles. Let’s scroll down and enjoy the 50 best games of the year, the 2022 edition…
Publisher: Epic Games / Developer: mediatonic
fall guys‘ The chaotic entertainment brand is still great all these years later, and the free-to-play Switch version is no different, assuming you can ignore your rivals’ choppy framerate. While there are some disappointing elements associated with cross-progression, if this is your first time to the Blunderdome, these won’t matter in the end. Some moments of lag and framerate quirks aside, the Switch version offers a solid way to play if you’re looking for a tough 60-bean challenge 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 was released on other platforms, and now it’s no different on Switch. Its fierce combat that pushes you to the limits of your skills, combined with clever aging mechanics, makes it one of the most satisfying gaming experiences in the world. type of beat ’em up. While the Switch port is obviously slightly lower than the PS5 version, it’s still not a viable option for Nintendo gamers and those who want to try this kung fu fighter on the go.
Publisher: electronic arts / Developer: Hazelight
Even if you are only half aware of the game news at the end of 2021, you will already be somewhat interested in this game. It’s brimming with fun, uniquely dedicated to cooperative gameplay, plays solidly and differently, and often abandons another idea in favor of a great idea before you get bored. Standard graphics concessions have now been made for the Switch, and the typical advantage of handheld play for an always-on split-screen, co-op-only game is questionable. Still, it keeps the frames moving enough that it doesn’t undermine the Game of the Year glow. It Takes Two and the good old Switch may not be the perfect marriage, but it’s worth resisting.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Nintendo Switch Sports A fascinating yet simple proposal. It’s not a bad game in any way, but it lacks too much to make a solid recommendation. Online play is the best option, with unlockable customizations and a predictably larger player pool, but its limited scope means you’ll be doing the same thing every time. Local gameplay is hampered by the lack of any unlockable features, and with such limited options to change how each sport is played, play alone is a challenge. There’s fun to be had here, but it’s in the vein of occasional 30-minute gaming sessions with friends more than anything else with great long-term appeal. Nintendo Switch Sports is ‘fine’ then, but it’s little more than that.
Publisher: Ubisoft / Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Assassin’s Creed: Ezio Collection is a great compilation of some of the most respected entries in the series. Aside from some fights that lack depth and a convoluted story, the three games featured here are definitely worth your time. If this is your first Assassin’s Creed experience, there’s plenty of fun to be had when cities still manage to impress with their sense of scale and historical detail, but some dated gameplay elements and glitches might make other entries a better splash. point. Rebel Collection It’s a great alternative if you want a slightly more modern, nautical-inspired interpretation of the series. However, if you’re already a fan and can tolerate its foibles old and new, this is an enjoyable journey into (video game) history and an easy recommendation.
Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Big Monster
Lamb Cult It proves to be a very fresh take on the roguelite genre, not only with its goofy and creepy aesthetic, but also with its clever blend of action and survival mechanics. Gameplay stays tense without ever feeling like it’s unfair, and a constant stream of unlockables and collectibles ensures your efforts are always rewarded. It’s a pity that the performance isn’t adequate, at least at launch, as that’s our only major complaint here. We give heartfelt advice to anyone who thinks this might still happen on their street; It may not be to everyone’s liking, but Cult of the Lamb is proving to be a great new addition to the Switch library.
Publisher: Yacht Club Games / Developer: nitrome
Shovel Knight Dig Another triumphant and entertaining entry into the growing legacy of the popular indie knight, it offers exciting, challenging gameplay that will appeal to fans old and new alike. While a little short, every minute of Shovel Knight Dig positively oozes quality, whether it’s fast-paced action-platforming or the new 16-bit art style and animation. We highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys original platform games or is looking for a challenging (but not overwhelmingly challenging) new roguelite. The Shovel Knight Dig has where it counts and can stand alongside its noble predecessors.
Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Bandai Namco
For Pac-Man fans and historical pedigrees, Pac-Man Museum+ The best summary ever, spanning decades and featuring some of its most notable titles. The arcade world is a nice touch, although the framerate is a huge disappointment and really needs to be ironed out. And while you may spend some time tinkering and designing your arcade, the lure of the gimmick is ultimately short-lived. Presentation flaws aside, neither the comprehensiveness of the collection nor the quality of the titles can really be faulted (well, Pac On Time). It’s a Pac festival and while it certainly has limited appeal, it offers hours of gaming fun and interesting historical insight into the evolution of the yellow globe.
Publisher: SEGA / Developer: SEGA
Sonic Origins On the one hand, it’s an almost surefire way to experience the cold classics like the four stones that represent some of the highest peaks of Sonic’s career. On the other hand, most of these games are already available and there aren’t many new features or additions to justify buying them again. Cutscenes, museum elements, and quests are all pretty cool, but also the minimum you’d expect from such a prestigious and popular series.
For players ready to play these classics for the first time, Sonic Origins is the only way to experience Sonic’s 16-bit golden age. Deadly 2D Sonic veterans could be less amazed by the pack and the small but noticeable differences between the Classic Mods offered here and the games in their true original configurations. Regardless, it’s certainly nice that Sonic CD is available in a convenient form on most affordable consoles. It’s not perfect then, but it’s a great casual dining game.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Omega Power
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes A thoroughly entertaining mix of Musou mayhem, strategy, and relationship-building aspects that should greatly satisfy fans of both franchises featured here. It improves upon its 2017 predecessor in several ways, notably by offering a much more engaging story that includes a narrative ripe for a few iterations. With impressively solid performance on Switch and an action-packed campaign that will see you blast tens of thousands of enemies over 30 hours in a single game, it’s right up there with the best Omega Force has to offer. this region
