10 Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2022

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10. Bayonetta 3

Ahh, the pigtailed witch herself. This one got widely different ratings from critics. Some gave it a 6, while others closer to a perfect 10/10. Is it the worst? Or is it the best of the series? Which is it?

Blame it on the Infernal Demons that you can summon in battle. These incredible monsters can imbue Bayonetta with extra powers, too. However, while they are active Bayonetta can still sustain damages. You really have to be strategic about when you release your demons.

But the best part of Bayonetta 3 has to be the other characters you get to play. Jeanne in her 2D stealth missions, or Viola with her unique movesets. These two may challenge the habits of long term fans and contribute to the game feeling fresh all throughout.

And with that, this highly replayable game gets a playscore of 8.9.

9. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was an unexpectedly great game. The sequel is even better. This seems to be the running theme of the video.

Sparks of Hope gets its name from Sparks. These cute little creatures give buffs that you can mix and match with the 9 characters you unlock in the game. Since a lot of characters can already be unlocked after beating the first world, it’s so much easier to learn how they synergize with each other, making this tactical RPG that much deeper.

As expected, this mario game remains accessible to anyone from little kids to adults. Actually, maybe this time even more so with the customizable difficulty – like how much health is restored at every new level, enemies’ health and damage, and more.

Sparks of Hope shines with a playscore of 8.9.

8. Splatoon 3

At first, it might seem a little redundant. Why would Nintendo release Splatoon 3 on the Switch when we already have Splatoon 2? Well, that’s because they made it better. Quality of life improvements, better visuals, better lobby systems, new classes, new weapons, and even new moves (squid roll, and squid surge).

If you’ve played the Octo Expansion on Splatoon 2, this one will feel very familiar – even down to the server problems, let’s be honest. But the new story, the training systems and all the little things Nintendo added on release nets this game a playscore of 8.9.

7. No Man’s Sky

It’s truly shocking how well No Man’s Sky works on the Switch. This is what happens when the team keeps working on making their games better. Is it the most high definition version of the game you can play out there– psh no… BUT games are more than their graphics! This one remains to be an interplanetary explorer’s dream.

Plus there’s so much to do! Learning alien languages, looting other space ships, or even just building your home on an idyllic planet somewhere. We really miss having the multiplayer mode on the Switch version. As a single-player only experience, it gets a playscore of 9.0.

6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Now if you want to play multiplayer, Shredder’s Revenge is a great pick up. Sure, you can play this solo, but it’s just not the same.

This is a great tribute to old-school arcade beat-em-ups – from the art direction, down to the controls and mechanics. The story mode is so much fun and easy enough for beginners to enjoy, while arcade is the mode where most veterans will get their fix from. This one gets a 9/10.

5. AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative

For the uninitiated, this one’s a murder mystery visual novel with hard puzzles, great writing, and a cast of quirky characters. The way we solve the mysteries in this game involve going deep into our suspects’ subconscious to look for possible clues and motives.

New in NirvanA Initiative are the VR sequences for recreating crime scenes. These remind me so much of Detroit Become Human’s Connor investigation scenes. I don’t want to spoil it, so that’s it for a game that has a playscore of 9.1.

4. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

This post-apocalyptic, cute as heck game about a pink ball who likes to suck just feels so right. This is how Kirby should be played – in a true 3D setting. It’s intuitive, colorful, and the new mechanics are oh so satisfying.

Kirby games are primarily aimed at kids so they’re usually super easy, but this one’s FINALLY got a wild mode. It’s still not Elden Ring hard, of course, but we finally get a hint of a challenge for older Kirby fans. This adora-ball gets a playscore of 9.1.

3. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

As Jayne from whatoplay.com puts it, there are some stories that would only work in [video] game[s]. This one is a perfect example.

This game has an extremely complex story starring 13 playable characters who are destined to eventually pilot machines called the Sentinels. It’s a post-apocalyptic story filled with so many plot twists and multiple endings.

It’s a beautiful mix of visual novel storytelling and mech strategy. During mech battles, frame rate drops are noticeable but ultimately don't affect gameplay all that much. And so, it gets a playscore of 9.2.

2. NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition

5 years after first being released on PC, the Switch finally gets NieR: Automata The End of Yorha Edition which is the base game plus all the DLCs in one package. And it is nothing short of a miracle.

While it’s not as detailed as on other platforms, it’s crisp and vibrant. It only runs on 30 fps on the switch, whoa, big surprise there, but it’s absolutely fine. Frame rate drops for this big of a game is expected on the switch, but it doesn’t happen enough times to spoil the experience.

This portable version of a modern classic gets a playscore of 9.

1. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

This was so worth the wait. Just like Nier, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a revelation on the switch. It’s a huge open-world jam packed with incredible action, and well rounded characters.

Honestly, more than anything, the characters and the relationships they build with one another is the highlight of this game. There are so many meaningful moments that aren’t just exposition dumps sprinkled throughout.

By the time you finish the hundred hours needed to complete the game, you will be attached to all of these guys. Friendship truly is magic. So yeah, it’s been fun. A playscore of 9.3.