Well, it's happened, we've hurtled into a New Year. While the previous 12 months brought plenty of exciting games, we'd suggest that 2022 is looking like a bumper year.
As 2022 gets underway we've taken the liberty of rounding up some upcoming Switch game highlights dropping in January and February; it's typically a quieter period in game releases, but Nintendo is partially bucking that trend. Yep, there's a big ol' Pokémon release, and more besides.
Beneath the physical launches below you'll also find a selection of other games releasing in the next couple of months — usually physical versions of previously digital-only Switch eShop games — plus some Switch accessories and related peripherals available in the coming months as we gear up for another big year of gaming.
Enjoy!
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Pokémon Legends: Arceus - 28th January
Confirmed for a 28th January 2022 launch, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set long long ago in the Sinoh region (Gen 4 for the non-Poké Fanatics) and sees you on an adventure to compile the region's very first Pokédex. We've recently revisited that region in the Switch remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but we'll get to go back in time in this spin-off that looks like it may shake up the tried-and-tested-and-a-little-bit-stale formula of the mainline games.
It promises a different flavour of Pokémon adventure and we're excited to see how this spin-off can take the Pokéverse in new directions in 2022.
Life is Strange: True Colors - 25th February
A title that took a little longer to reach Switch before its eShop release in December, physical collectors and enthusiasts don't have too much longer to wait. A bold new era of the award-winning life is Strange begins, with an all-new playable lead character and a thrilling mystery to solve! Alex Chen has long suppressed her 'curse': the supernatural ability to experience, absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others, which she sees as blazing, colored auras. When her brother dies in a so-called accident, Alex must embrace her volatile power to find the truth - and uncover the dark secrets buried by a small town.
More Awesome Nintendo Switch Games
Aside from the highlighted games above, there are lots more Switch retail games which might take your fancy in January and beyond.
Awesome Accessories For Your Switch
And finally here are a selection of the finest Switch accessories coming up in January and beyond, for your consideration.
So that's it for January and February — did we miss anything? Let us know with a comment and also tell us if you've pre-ordered any of these goodies!
Comments 31
As far as the January/February releases go, Atelier Sophie 2 is the only one I'm really keen for. Might give Pokemon Legends: Arceus a chance but if I do I'll be going in with pretty low expectations.
March is where things start to pick up with Triangle Strategy, Gal*Gun: Double Peace, Rune Factory 5 and Disco Elysium physical release.
Disco Elysium, yes please.
Kinda comes across less like a guide and more like a mass rectal evacuation of affiliate links for random games in random order.
But I like it.
I've got a pre-order in for Pokémon Legends: Arceus - hoping it's going to be a nice game and does well, if for no other reason than to ram down the throat of all the internet's 'Where are the AAAAA textures!?' horde.
Legends will be more than enough for me... but there are some good games I'll be missing out now. Good start!
Makes me sad that the "Jan-Feb" guide goes to mid April but still no Kirby. With Splatoon 3 looming Kirby needs a soonish date. Guess that next Direct is going to be epic.
I'm getting Chocobo Racing then Kirby, Horizon Forbidden West for February.
Just ordered poke legends with steel book and tat
Pokemon Legends Arceus, Gunvolt Chronicles 2, Triangle Strategy, .hack//G.U. Last Recode, and Chocobo GP are all games I plan on picking up over these next few months. Not really sure about Rune Factory 5, I was excited about it but footage from the Japanese release has me worried.
Thankfully there is nothing I am psyched about until Triangle Strategy. I am still a little behind on some of my purchases from last year.
I just finished Bug Fables this morning and I loved it
I'm pretty sure legends isn't being marketed as a spin off.
Again, i'm waiting for this game due to 8 February 2022.
Edit: And Ryan game. 😆
utterly nothing - gives me time to play through a bunch of un-started games!!!
I can't wait to buy a £50 set for a £4 Switch download of a free mobile game!
I do hope we'll have a Nintendo Direct this month (maybe next week?)
I have about 70% of the games on this page preordered, lol.
Talk about a busy first few months of 2022.
I’m trying my best to stick to a buying freeze but I’m sure I’ll choke and purchase a few titles. Here’s what I’m interested in:
January: Pokémon Legends Arceus
February: GRID Legends (PC)
March: Triangle Strategy and Rune Factory 5
April: Advance Wars 1 + 2: Reboot Camp (alleged release month)
When is Bayonetta 3?
Only one on there is Triangle Strategy but not a pressing buy, can definitely wait for a sale. My kids have seemingly grown out of Pokémon so that saves me 100 bucks there thankfully. Hopefully they have some surprises up their sleeves for the rest of the year, looking like another so so year again at the moment.
@Anti-Matter You know, I've seen you posting about this game before and thought you were hoping for a physical release but now I can see it's actually coming out. As a comment reader, it's nice to see closure on the YouTubers Life 2 saga, lol.
Looking forward to Alpaca Ball....
@Dazza It might not be the best idea, recommending Japanese copies of text-heavy games that do not support English. Dragon Quest X Offline, 13 Sentinels, and Touken Ranbu Musou being the games in question.
Nice listing but wondering is some of those from PA english option?
Focused on pokemon, maglam lord and DQ X, but I will be adding a number of games from this list to my BF 2022 bucket.
So 1 okish game and a lot of below average games that people pretend to want but never actually buy...because why would they.
After seeing pok arceus again, i dont get it, why are they so silent all of a sudden? More gameplay videos?
After seeing recent footage and details for Pokémon Legends Arceus, I'm actually starting to get really hyped. It looks exactly like what I've been wanting.
But I'll also take Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and 13 Sentinels, Atelier Sophie 2 and .hack//GU Last Recode, as well as physical versions for Life Is Strange, Disco Elysium and GTA Trilogy.
edit
Also that Hori headset seems ok for cheap voice chat mixing Discord audio from phone, but wired to phone and Switch is a clutter. Better off buying Arctis 9 Wireless which connects to Switch via wireless dongle and phone via Bluetooth, and mixes the audio. 100% wireless. Can also use Homespot Pro adapter with dual Bluetooth 5.0 and aptx LL. But you'll need a pair of aptX LL headphones.
I need to see some reviews for Arceus before I buy. I'm quietly hopeful but got stung a couple times last year. Same with Grow: SoE.
RF5 is coming out the day before my birthday...day 1 buy.
*Sinnoh
Just a small typo but thought I'd point it out. 👍 hyped for Legends!
@Gwynbleidd 😅😅😅🙈
I won't even try
Too many upcoming titles I want! Life is Strange: True Colors, Tormented Souls, Love Esquire, Crystar, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Monark, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Gal*Gun: Double Peace.
@Thatsalie What you talking bout, Willis?! Tons of great stuff up there. I'm gonna be broke, lol
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is $30; great news for me.
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