Nintendo Just Made The Switch’s 2022 Line-up An Absolute Killer

There was no turning back now for the Nintendo Switch, which was poised for the best year since its debut. Putting it all together took some time (and may not hold), but it seems like in 2022, the Nintendo portable system will include a wide range of games, including the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. New Year’s Eve is much like the first day of 2017.

During that year, the Switch was introduced with BOTW and later Splatoon 2 and Mario Odyssey. Because the Wii U version of BOTW was scheduled to be released years ago, it felt like a fluke. This appears to be happening, though, as the Switch nears the midpoint of its hardware lifespan.

When it comes to Nintendo’s release schedule, you never know what to expect. What occurred last fall was a tranquil season for Nintendo Switch ended up holding its own against the competition because to a continuous run of breakthroughs, from Metroid Dread to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. The abrupt one-two punch of a Nintendo Direct earlier this month and the newest Pokémon Presents over the weekend has done it again this year.

Splatoon 3 was announced for release this summer at the first presentation, which showed a bevvy of new titles. With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, an open-world entry in the Generation 9, the second surprised fans by revealing its release date as early as 2022. Here are a few additional things to look forward to:

• Triangle Strategy – March 4
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – March 25
• Nintendo Switch Sports – April 29
• Mario Strikers: Battle League – June 10
• Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes – June 24
• Splatoon 3 – Summer
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – September
• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope – TBD 2022
• Bayonetta 3 – TBD 2022
• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – TBD 2022
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel – TBD 2022

Smaller ports and remakes are also expected to be released this year. April marks the release of Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, the sequel to Advance Wars 1+2. The 2.5D version of the hitherto localized classic JRPG, Live A Live, will be released in July. No Man’s Sky will be made available on the Nintendo Switch by Hello Games in some capacity. Over the course of the next year, the top-selling game on two systems, Mario Kart 8, will almost double in size.

First signs of this came in 2021 with improvements to Splatoon 3, Bayonetta 3 and BOTW 2. In recent weeks, it’s felt like it’s all coming at once because of the low-key manner in which it’s been releasing concrete dates. Under-promising and over-delivering are two of Mario’s trademark strategies for tricking his fans. Even if it doesn’t have a chance to play this year, its hand might be the greatest it has been in years.

That’s a huge if, to be sure. Many BOTW 2 fans saw the announcement of Scarlet and Violet, two new Pokémon, as an admission that the sequel will not be arriving this year after all. When it comes to delays, Nintendo seems to have had the greatest trouble. While it has previously had the opportunity to remain noncommittal, it keeps reaffirming the 2022 timeframe.