Bayonetta 3 fans finally got a good look at the game in a recent Nintendo Direct. While many were worried about Bayonetta's future due to long periods of silence regarding the latest game's development, the gameplay trailer was promising. It is currently a Nintendo Switch exclusive, continuing the tradition established by Bayonetta 2 on the Wii U. However, Bayonetta 3’s director has commented on possibly porting the game to other systems with Nintendo’s approval in the future.
Regardless, Bayonetta fans will probably want to replay the first two games to prepare themselves for the third installment. On top of that, Bayonetta’s popularity has to led to the titular protagonist appearing in several other games as a guest character. Though these games are not full on spin-offs, if players need their Bayonetta fill, they can rely on these games to enjoy their favorite bespectacled Umbra Witch until Bayonetta 3 comes out.
Anarchy Reigns
The often forgotten beat’em up/hack and slash title Anarchy Reigns is, like Bayonetta, developed by Platinum Games. Being the oldest game on the list and only available on two platforms, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, this game can only be found if the person that wishes to play it buys a used copy online. Considering its age and limited availability, this game would be an odd pick. In fact, Anarchy Reigns has plenty of original characters to choose from, though, Platinum Games was already taking advantage of its various proprerites two console generations ago. Indeed, while Bayonetta does not appear in the base game, she is available as downloadable content. Fans that are willing to dish out extra cash to play as Bayonetta in Anarchy Reigns are free to do so.
The Wonderful 101
The Wonderful 101 is another Platinum Games title that spent a while being exclusive to the Wii U, like Bayonetta 2. Although the two games were totally different, they shared that commonality. Just like with Anarchy Reigns, Platinum Games eventually gave into Bayonetta’s popularity and made her a playable character in The Wonderful 101. Strangely, this appearance does not come from the Wii U version despite both The Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta having been established as Nintendo games. Platinum Games decided to wait until The Wonderful 101 was ported on other consoles, including PC and the PlayStation 4, to add the now expected Bayonetta cameo.
The Wonderful 101 Demo allows players to unlock Bayonetta as soon as they start the game. Rather than looking awkward and out of place, Bayonetta was redesigned in The Wonderful 101’s art style, with said redesign being based on her appearance in the first Bayonetta game. It is a nice touch and shows that Platinum Games is not aiming to shoehorn Bayonetta into everything it makes, but to make her guest appearances feel authentic.
Super Smash Bros.
Bayonetta’s most notable guest appearance is without a doubt her playable appearances in Super Smash Bros. She was originally announced alongside Corrin as downloadable content for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U, as the last newcomer. She was also the winner of the "Smash Ballot", out of the characters Nintendo was able to put in the game at the time. Bayonetta quickly rose to an infamous status among Smash fans, particularly competitive players, once she proved to be a nearly unstoppable force in tournaments.
Bayonetta returned alongside every other veteran in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, though some much needed nerfs were made to her moveset. As part of the game’s dedication to attention to detail, the developers added her original design and her Bayonetta 2 appearance as costumes. Additionally, Bayonetta was represented in the realm of Assist Trophies with Rodin’s introduction. Considering how ubiquitous Smash games are in gamers’ libraries, they might be the easiest and most ideal non-Bayonetta games to experience what the Umbra Witch has to offer until Bayonetta 3 is eventually released.
Bayonetta 3 will release on the Nintendo Switch in 2022.