Nintendo and third-party publishers have the ability to create timeless game experiences month after month, and year after year. 2022 was no exception. They released some of the Nintendo Switch‘s best-selling titles to date. While there were many to choose from, here is my list of the Top 3 Nintendo Switch games for 2022.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Developer(s): Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Paris
Publisher(s): Ubisoft
Genre: Strategy
Modes: Single-player
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

In Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, which brings together some of the most popular characters from the previous title, including Princess Peach, Mario, and Rabbid Mario, you join forces to face off against a powerful cosmic entity known as Cursa. It’s up to Mario and his friends to travel the galaxy to save the Sparks from this powerful threat. As you travel the galaxy, you’ll meet the curious inhabitants of various different planets and encounter familiar enemies from the Nintendo universe and surprising bosses.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope combines real-time action and turn-based tactics to create a unique combat system that is fun and innovative. The Sparks of Hope universe features five beautiful planets to explore, and there are tons of side missions and challenges to complete. The world is brought to life with the help of its fantastic score and sound effects. While the music doesn’t play all the time, it’s used in just the right places that adds to the experience.

Ubisoft offers an incredibly polished experience that make it one of the top 3 Nintendo Switch games of 2022.

Purchase Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Cosmic Edition on Nintendo Switch

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Developer(s): Monolith Soft
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Action role-playing
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

One of the most popular Japanese role-playing games on Nintendo platforms has been the Xenoblade Chronicles series. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is out on Nintendo Switch. It marks the third entry in the series and offers fans more compelling stories and great gameplay.

The game’s story is both compelling and heart wrenching. The focus is around a long-standing conflict between two warring nations. These nations, Keves and Agnus, have been at war for some time, using soldiers who serve one purpose: to fight. Circumstances arise and soldiers from both nations are thrown together to go forth on a journey where they must restore order in the face of a world that has turned against them.

The game slowly layers depth into the combat, beginning with auto attacks, moving into casting Artes, using special Artes, and more. Each of your characters bring unique attributes to the battlefield, which adds to the game’s overall more refined and user-friendly approach. The game’s voice acting is spot on with a quality that is top notch and breathes life into characters. The world of Aionios that you play in is beautiful, with plenty of flora and fauna to keep you entertained as you explore the various areas.

Although Xenoblade Chronicles 3 might seem daunting, its accessibility is excellent and makes it easy for new fans to jump in. And, because of this, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is one of the top 3 Nintendo Switch games of 2022.

Purchase Xenoblade Chronicles 3 on Nintendo Switch

Pokemon Legends Arceus

Developer(s): Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure, RPG
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Despite the bold steps that Game Freak and Nintendo have taken in the past with previous games in the Pokemon franchise, they have never done anything as drastic as they have with Pokemon Legends Arceus. You still catch Pokemon, battle trainers and use items—these are the things that feel very familiar to past games in the series. Pokemon games have always been heavily menu based. Legends Arceus’ new focus on an open world allows players to do things differently. Catching Pokemon now requires some skill, reducing luck drastically from past games.

Battles are also streamlined that makes the entire process quicker and more enjoyable. And, seeing as you need to battle a lot of the same Pokemon for your Pokedex, you can understand why this is a welcome addition. One of the biggest changes in gameplay is the way you use Strong and Agile moves in battle. After using moves a certain number of times, you are able to use them in new and exciting ways.

Despite the fact that the game is a spinoff, it is still a great step for the franchise. The developers have managed to create a lot of new and exciting gameplay elements that keep players engaged. Fans of the franchise that are looking for something new will definetly want to check out Pokemon Legends Arceus, it’s a great choice and one of the top 3 Nintendo Switch games for 2022.

Get Pokemon Legends Arceus for Nintendo Switch
Buy Pokemon Legends Arceus Digital Download for Nintendo Switch

Top 3 Nintendo Switch games for 2021

So there you have it, my list of the Top 3 Nintendo Switch games for 2022. As you can see, there are no shortage of games to play on your Nintendo Switch. The hardest decision might be deciding which games on this list you’ll want to get and play first!

With a nice mix of strong single player adventures, and lots of accessible multiplayer experiences, there is something for everyone on the Nintendo Switch.

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Jon Scarr
Jon is the Gaming Editor and is based in Toronto. He is a proud Canadian who has a serious passion for gaming. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry with over 20 years experience. You can often find Jon streaming the latest games on his YouTube channel. Jon loves to talk about gaming and tech, come say hi and join the conversation with Jon on Threads @4ScarrsGaming and @4Scarrsgaming on Instagram.

1 COMMENT

  1. I am really interested in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. It’s not really my style of game, but I want to play it for the story elements that will tie into Breath of the Wild!

    There are some other 3rd party games coming out for this holiday season too, I’m really looking forward to Immortals Fenyx Rising. I just hope that the Switch port doesn’t have to lose too much from the other versions of the game.

    I’m sure that Pikmin 3 will do well this holiday, and Animal Crossing has been going crazy all year. I’m sure that many new Switch adopters will be looking to add that to their game library.

    Thanks for the list Jon, it looks like it will be a good holiday for the Switch!

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