Top 5 Games We Hope Make the Drop in 2022
5) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
While the latest information from Nintendo is that the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will launch in 2022 – as shown at the end of the above teaser – we know just how important the Legend of Zelda franchise is to Nintendo. If they don’t feel the sequel is damn near perfect, they’ll delay it again. However, let’s just hope Nintendo can get this one out in time for Christmas 2022.
4) Metroid Prime Trilogy
I know what you’re probably thinking, why am I listing Metroid Prime Trilogy and not Metroid Prime 4. I have two reasons. First, it would be unwise of Nintendo to release Metroid Prime 4 without re-releasing the Metroid Prime Trilogy. As of this writing, it’s been 12 years since the Metroid Prime Trilogy was originally released on the Nintendo Wii. There’s a whole generation of gamers who probably haven’t had the chance to experience the original trilogy – and it’s unlikely they’d be very excited for a fourth entry if they hadn’t first played the originals. And second, we haven’t heard much from Nintendo about Metroid Prime 4, so it stands to reason there have been some development challenges. So, why not re-release the original trilogy to whet our appetites, with the hope that Metroid Prime 4 finally sees the light of day in 2023.
3) Pikmin 4
I’ve included Pikmin 4 to the list because the Pikmin franchise is adored in my household. Legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that a fourth Pikmin game is in development, but the last time he mentioned it was back in 2017. With that said, the latest Pikmin release, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, was actually the best-selling game in the franchise, showing there is more demand for Pikmin than ever before. Also, Nintendo has just released a brand new mobile game called Pikmin Bloom – similar in many ways to Pokemon Go, but with the beloved Pikmin characters. Pikmin 4 will happen, it’s just a matter of when – and as a fan, I’m thinking 2022 would be a perfect time for that.
2) Kid Icarus Uprising HD
Kid Icarus Uprising was released back in 2012 and is the last Kid Icarus game to be released. While Kid Icarus Uprising was a great game – it was pretty awkward to play, requiring a special stand just to hold the 3DS properly. What better way to re-introduce Kid Icarus games to the world than by re-releasing Uprising in glorious HD and using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller? And if it achieves solid sales numbers, maybe it would motivate Nintendo to develop a much-needed sequel as well.
1) Super Mario Odyssey 2
Super Mario Odyssey was brilliant on so many levels and deserves a direct sequel. This wouldn’t be unprecedented for Nintendo, as they released a direct sequel to Super Mario Galaxy – and in many ways, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was better than the original, because it took what made the first one so good, and expanded on it. Nintendo could do the same with Super Mario Odyssey – such as introducing more playable characters, new bad guys and items for Mario to control, new worlds, and so much more. If Nintendo could somehow release sequels to both Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in the same year, it could be the one-two punch Nintendo needs to keep the Nintendo Switch as relevant as ever.
Honorable Mentions:
- The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
- Star Fox Zero Deluxe
And that concludes our look at the top 5 anticipated Nintendo Switch games for 2022, along with 5 games I hope get released. Lately, Nintendo has been pretty good at releasing games on a consistent basis – much more so than during the Wii U era. With any luck, 2022 could prove to be yet another brilliant year for the Nintendo Switch.