Following the massively underwhelming gross sales of the Wii U in 2012, Nintendo wanted to make up misplaced floor within the sector. Nintendo recovered with Switch, because the hybrid console exceeded expectations and has bought almost 100 million models worldwide up to now.
The Nintendo Switch is popping 5 years previous this yr, and the console’s momentum is not slowing down.
Here’s a take a look at the 5 most-anticipated Switch video games set for launch in 2022.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
“Pokemon Legends: Arceus” has followers and critics extraordinarily excited, but nervous on the similar time. Developer Game Freak is lastly transferring the Pokemon franchise in a brand new route and is emphasizing exploration with “Legends: Arceus,” The sport takes place within the Sinnoh area of previous, lengthy earlier than the occasions of “Pokemon Diamond and Pearl.” It has garnered comparisons to “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” resulting from its seemingly comparable gameplay and artwork fashion, though it has been confirmed that the sport is just not open-world. “Pokemon Legends: Arceus” is about for launch on Jan. 28.
Tsunekazu Ishihara hints that the Nintendo NX will change the way in which folks see dwelling consoles and handheld gadgets. Photo: Bob Riha, Jr./Nintendo through Getty Images
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
This yr not solely marks the fifth anniversary of the Nintendo Switch, but in addition the thirtieth anniversary of the beloved sport franchise “Kirby.” The official Twitter account for “Kirby” even acknowledged the milestone, saying “2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the Kirby series! Please look forward to a variety of #Kirby30 activities coming soon.” In the long-lasting character’s newest journey, “Kirby and the Forgotten Land,” gamers can embark on a phenomenal 3D journey because the pink hero stumbles upon a forgotten civilization. “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” releases on March 25.
Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Daedalic Entertainment has supplied an surprising, but welcome perspective on J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary sequence with “Lord of the Rings: Gollum.” In this upcoming action-adventure sport, gamers take management of the notorious Gollum earlier than the occasions of “The Hobbit” happen. Embark on a quest in pursuit of Gollum’s valuable when this sport releases later this yr.
Sonic Frontiers
Sega is lastly giving its iconic blue hedgehog an open-world journey. “Sonic Frontiers” sees our hero discover the Starfall Islands, an atmosphere wealthy with forests, our bodies of water, scorching deserts, and way more. “Frontiers” was initially meant for launch in 2021, however it was delayed a yr resulting from high quality management, as Sega mentioned it has “been steadily conducting analysis to improve the quality of the title before release, such as introducing game testing based on external evaluations… it will become a good game and have high expectations for it.”
Sega releases new gameplay footage of “Sonic Forces.” Photo: REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
The untitled sequel of one of the vital critically acclaimed video games of all-time is deliberate for a 2022 launch, and the gaming world couldn’t be extra excited. Nintendo first introduced the sport in a 2019 on-line presentation, and at The Game Awards 2021, it was nominated for Most Anticipated Game. Although sequence producer Eiji Aonuma has been noticeably delicate in regards to the sport’s particulars, the seemingly darker tone revealed within the trailer has followers speculating that the sport attracts similarities to the favored Nintendo 64 title “The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask.” Nintendo spokesperson Bill Trinen mentioned, nevertheless, that additional info that is launched on the title will present “the place this sport stands by itself and what makes it so distinctive.”
Return to Hyrule – and the skies above – on this first take a look at gameplay for the Sequel to the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, deliberate for launch on #NintendoSwitch in 2022. Photo: Nintendo Official YouTube channel