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And we're back! Another year done and dusted, one that was jam-packed with Switch games. It might have lacked a mainline Zelda or Mario, but Pokémon fans got double bubble in 2022, with Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet topping and tailing the year.

In between those potent Pocket Monster packages, we got a large portion of Kirby (plus a tasty side dish), a selection of sports (both the Switch and Mario Strikers variety), a trio of excellent games with a '3' in the title (Xenoblade, Splatoon, and Bayonetta), and both Koei Tecmo and Ubisoft taking the reins on Nintendo IP with Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope respectively.

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Best Switch Games Of 2022
Image: Nintendo Life

And that's just the first-party stuff. Throw in all the quality third-party releases — Square Enix, in particular, was on fire this year with games like Triangle Strategy, Dragon Quest Treasures, and Crisis Core — a deluge of excellent indies, including Citizen Sleeper, Neon White, Tunic, and Chained Echoes, a great selection of retro collections, and a bevy of quality ports of games big and small, and there simply aren't enough hours in the day to play everything we want to.

Which brings us to your picks of the top 50 best Switch games of 2022. As always, we asked Nintendo Life readers to rate the games this year, and the list below — as governed by the User Ratings for each title in our games database — is the result. The order can and will change, even after publication, subject to those fluctuating User Ratings, which means it's never too late to rate your collection (even those pesky late-December arrivals) and influence the list.

Can't see your favourites? Head to our library of Switch games and use the search bar to find what you're looking for (or scroll to the very top of this page to do the same). Note. To become eligible, a game needs to have been rated by a minimum of 30 users.

Enough waffle. Let's scroll down and enjoy 50 of the very best games of the year, 2022 edition...

50. Cult of the Lamb Switch eShop

Cult of the Lamb proves to be a remarkably fresh take on the roguelite genre, not just in its goofy and creepy aesthetic, but in its smart blending of action and survival mechanics. Gameplay remains tense without ever feeling like it’s unfair, and a steady stream of unlockables and collectables ensures that your efforts are always rewarded.

It’s just a shame that the performance wasn’t up to snuff, at least at launch, as that’s really the only major complaint that we had. We’d still give this a hearty recommendation to anyone who thinks it might be up their alley; it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Cult of the Lamb proves itself to be a great new addition to the Switch library.

49. Tinykin Switch eShop

As a whole, Tinykin is more than just a wholesome, stress-free 3D platformer or 'Pikmin Lite'; it's a lesson in appreciating the simple things in life, including the help from those around you. Even with a mass of collectibles and a free-flowing storyline to follow, Tinykin never feels cluttered or overwhelming. Despite feeling a lot like a certain Nintendo series when you first pick it up, the game has enough of a unique identity to separate itself from the pack, offering a pleasant, pure platforming spin on Pikmin.

48. Radiant Silvergun Switch eShop

Radiant Silvergun remains, despite its uncompromising nature, deservedly celebrated. The game wears its hardcore credentials on its sleeve, and its depth in both technical and artistic terms is astonishing. As stimulating and rewarding as it is exhausting, it’s a labour that has transcended not only the genre but the medium to some degree.

Regardless of its difficulty — and in that difficulty, its lack of immediate connection — those who learn to fell the game proper can say they truly lived Radiant Silvergun. That’s an experience worth fighting for.

47. Beacon Pines Switch eShop

Beacon Pines presents a rich world filled with deeply considered, not to mention adorable, characters. The beautifully crafted art, paired with a soundtrack that both captures and sets the mood, make for a wholly enjoyable experience.

It might not be for those who prefer action, but it is a lovely and compelling story that sees Luka, Rolo, and Beck delve into a bevvy of unique situations. You might finish it in less than a workday, but it’ll stay with you for much longer.

46. Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth Switch

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth doesn’t take too long to beat — even the most curious/thorough/careful player is unlikely to go over the 10-hour mark — but when the adventure’s this much fun and as densely packed with creativity, does it matter?

At the end of it all, you’re far more likely to feel satisfied than short-changed, and Deedlit’s tale is a surprisingly touching one regardless of how much or little you already know about Lodoss. If you're after something with the flavour of Symphony of the Night that doesn't feel like a shallow knock-off, this is a fine alternative.

45. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Switch

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax offers up an approachable, yet incredibly deep 2D fighting combat system, and a neat RPG-lite mode that guarantees solo players will have lots to do. All this is presented in Arc System Works’ signature and striking hand-drawn art style, showcasing the best of the Guilty Gear developer's skill with the genre.

While the story mode is a complete bore and there’s no rollback netcode in this version, we think P4AU on Switch is still worth your time, particularly if you like the portability, although if you're going to be playing online, you'll likely want to investigate the game on other platforms first.

44. Dungeons of Dreadrock Switch eShop

Dungeons of Dreadrock is a simple little game with a Minish Cap-style aesthetic that's been compared to a dungeon crawler, but this is really a puzzler with swords ‘n’ sorcery set dressing. It's well-designed and cleverly builds on its formula throughout its brief run. Those looking for a good game to wind down with before bed may want to give this a look.

43. Coromon Switch eShop

Coromon takes aim at one of the greatest series of all time and, while it isn’t any threat to Pokémon’s worldwide domination, it is a charming and fun nostalgia trip for fans.

Excessive grinding and a story that takes its time to get going mar what is otherwise a worthwhile journey, but if you're a fan of old-school Pokémon, that shouldn’t put you off investigating this title. Whether you’re a new trainer or you’ve been catching 'em all for years now, Coromon has something for you to enjoy.

42. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection Switch

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection is indisputably one of the best things Konami released in the Switch generation, meeting all expectations and then some. Bar absent difficulty settings for the arcade games, it’s an anthology that finally gets it totally right.

Digital Eclipse and Konami have done the fans justice, offering a comprehensive library that doesn’t hide content behind a paywall, while going above and beyond in terms of features and bonuses. With online functionality and rollback netcode being the icing on the cake, this is the gold standard for retro collections.

41. ElecHead Switch eShop

Elechead is a puzzle-platformer in which your character's head is a source of electricity. Where it really shines is in its ability to introduce mechanics in one section, and then have you completely rethink what you know about the game the next. Every mechanic is put to use ingeniously; even things as unassuming as the level-resetting checkpoints are used in interesting ways.

While the game doesn’t last long, it uses every second wisely and never outstays its welcome, even if you are left wanting a bit more.