Top Nintendo Switch Games of 2022

Bayonetta 3

Developer: Platinum Games | Publisher: Nintendo | Platform: Nintendo Switch | Rated 16 years and above | Score: 9.0 out of 10

Platinum Games has long been regarded as a frontrunner in the action genre, and Bayonetta 3 exemplifies why. It’s fast, reflex-intensive, and contains challenging action combat that gives you an abundance of freedom and expression in how you can execute your foes.

Both the story and the performance on the Nintendo Switch are not the best, but neither is it significant enough to overwhelm the top action combat, out-of-this-world weapon variety, and distinct style.

This is a significantly more ambitious sequel than its more repetitive predecessor, and it pays off handsomely. It is a pity that it’s only available on the Nintendo Switch, unlike older titles that are available on other popular consoles.

Yet the new Demon Slave summoning mechanism, as well as various other modifications to how weapons work, help to revitalize what remains one of the best fighting systems in video game history.

Pokémon Legends Arceus

Developer: Game Freak | Publisher: Nintendo | Platform: Nintendo Switch | Rated all ages | Score: 7.5 out of 10

Although Pokémon Legends Arceus is a great game for the Nintendo Switch, and one of the nominees of one of the top Nintendo Switch games of 2022, it has left me feeling somewhat conflicted. On the one hand, its redesigned mechanisms are completely new to the franchise.

It gets rid of the boring battle mechanics as well as an outdated progression system that was in desperate need of a major overhaul, yet the new replacements are tremendously exciting even after hours of gameplay repetition.

However, while it is the closest Pokémon game has ever come to capturing and battling monsters as I pictured them as a child, its otherwise fascinating attempt at genre-shifting is set in a sadly empty, unattractive, and at times monotonous setting. 

While I’m excited about the new gameplay direction, I wish that the same care and attention were paid to every area of the adventure.

Overall, Pokémon Legends Arceus is the best Pokémon catcher and collector there has ever been, yet I feel that with a little more time at fine-tuning the detail in the environment, this game would get better review scores and more appreciation from the Pokémon fans. 

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Developer: Ubisoft | Publisher: Ubisoft | Platform: Nintendo Switch | Genres: Turn-based strategy, Tactical role-playing game, Action-adventure game | Rated all ages | Score: 9.0 out of 10

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope takes the excellent turn-based tactical action combat ideas from its predecessor and completely turns it into a fun, wild and crazy adventure, that made its way to be nominated as one of the top Nintendo Switch games of 2022.

Its wacky characters that still jump off one other, are now free of the grid and marvelously customizable thanks to the mix-and-match Sparks that grant them new and consistently surprising powers.

Its goofy characters still have the ability to bounce off of each other, but they’re now free of the rigid grid and wonderfully customizable thanks to the mix-and-match Sparks that give them new and reliably interesting powers.

Between fights you get to catch your breath in the large and brilliantly colorful open worlds, solving its light puzzles and being puzzled yourself by its oddball story. It’s extremely gratifying to play the ambitious sequel that fixes all of the main issues from the last game, and then some.

Overall, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a great game for all ages. It’s fun. It’s beautiful. It’s goofy, and a great game to play for all ages.   

Splatoon 3

Developer: Nintendo| Publisher: Nintendo| Platform: Nintendo Switch | Genres: Third-person shooter, Action-adventure | Rated all ages | Score: 8.5 out of 10

Splatoon 3 takes all the highs of Splatoon 2’s inventive Octo Expansion missions and places them in a delightful hub environment where freedom of choice allows you to get as much out of your experience as you want – certain that you’ll go back for more.

Even when it depends heavily on familiar opponents, clever stage design and objectives, and bosses with personalities keep things interesting throughout.

Building on the excellent foundations of its predecessors, Splatoon 3’s flood of outstanding quality-of-life adjustments and intriguing additions make it difficult to picture the ink-based shooter series before today.

More than simply a basic improvement, its slew of additional features make it as appealing to competitive players as it is to newbies.

While there aren’t any major changes that shake things up as Salmon Run did for Splatoon 2, Splatoon 3’s new maps, weapons, and PvE bosses have managed to improve on the game’s already outstanding multiplayer confrontations.

Lastly, Splatoon 3 is fun, with lots of shooting, and with lots of ink. It has a great single-player for those who like to play solo and comes with a fun multiplayer option for those who like to play with others online. It’s definitely a must-have and a great game for all ages. 

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Developer: HAL Laboratory| Publisher: Nintendo| Platform: Nintendo Switch | Genres: Platform game, Adventure game, Shooter Video Game, Fighting game | Rated all ages | Score: 9.0 out of 10

The already enjoyable blend of ability-based combat, platforming, and secret-hunting in the series is successfully transported into the third dimension in Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

The post-apocalyptic atmosphere is nonetheless attractive and vivid, with brilliantly constructed levels that continually make great use of Kirby’s powers. 

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Developer: Monolith Soft| Publisher: Nintendo| Platform: Nintendo Switch | Genres: JRPG, Action-adventure | Rated 12 years and above | Score: 8.0 out of 10

Another top-notch JRPG, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 features terrific characters, an original setting, and tactical combat that players can’t help but become addicted to.

For the first time in the series, completing side missions are fun and truly enjoyable, and the Interlink Ouroburos and class-switching mechanics keep the battle system feeling fresh and new throughout the entire 150-hour adventure.

Additionally, even though the plot is overwritten and has several confusing diversions, it is worth playing through until the end. 

 

The unfortunate thing is that the world of Aionios’ lacks beauty thanks to the limited hardware of the Nintendo Switch. Others include unpleasant and repetitive combat speech lines and dull boss fights.

But none of it should stop you from fully committing to yet another spectacular adventure in a series that is well of your time and attention.

And there you have it – six of the top Nintendo Switch games of 2022. They are fun, top-rated games that are guaranteed to leave laughing within a few hours. So which of these Nintendo Switch games are you looking to buy? Is there a title you think is worthy of being on this list? If you have any comments or questions then please leave them below.

If you like any of these games, then click on the buttons provided to find out more or to purchase. There’s no better time than now to start having fun. Happy holidays, until next time.