The 2022 holiday season is in full swing, and there is still time to get some last-minute Christmas shopping done. When it comes to games, customers are spoiled for choice, so much so that it can be difficult to know where to start if someone is not up-to-date with the industry's releases. What are the most sought-after Switch, PS5, and Xbox games for Christmas 2022?

Picking the right gift goes beyond just selecting the current best-selling title. As someone's game of the year could be another person's dud, the most important thing is to find a present that suits the receiver's preferences.

Only games released since September 2022 will be considered.

Nintendo Switch

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are the big Nintendo Switch games for 2022's holiday season. Game Freak's JRPGs have received a mixed-to-positive reception, but they have garnered praise for their story and gameplay improvements. That said, Scarlet & Violet have their share of issues and bugs, so they are far from perfect. The first mainline entry to feature an open-world, Scarlet & Violet immerses players in the Paldea region and grants them freedom in how they would like to follow the story.

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As a Christmas Nintendo Switch gift, Scarlet & Violet should be bought only if the receiver is a relatively die-hard Pokemon fan. These entries are unlikely to change the opinion of people who are not into Game Freak's franchise.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope

Mario is always a reliable selection for a present, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is no exception. However, gift-givers should take into account that this project is not the typical Super Mario adventure, but rather a turn-based strategy game with adventure elements. Developed by Ubisoft, Sparks of Hope takes Mario and the Rabbids on a comedic romp through space as they seek to take down a threat known as Cursa.

While a relatively accessible entry in the strategy genre, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope might be a bit too complicated for extremely young players. If someone is looking for a more traditional 3D platformer akin to Super Mario Odyssey, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a more suitable pick.

Splatoon 3

Splatoon 3 is set up to be the Switch's main multiplayer game for the foreseeable future. The third-person shooter offers cartoonish visuals, colorful environments, and fast-paced gunplay that is also accessible.

Unlike its predecessors, Splatoon 3 also provides a satisfying single-player campaign with plenty of missions to keep solo players engaged. Nevertheless, this game is predominantly designed with multiplayer in mind, and the scene is very active.

Please note that Splatoon 3's multiplayer modes require a Nintendo Online membership, which costs $19.99 per year.

PlayStation 5

As of December 19, 2022, none of these PS5 games are on PS Plus.

God Of War Ragnarok

Similar to Pokemon Scarlet & Violet for the Nintendo Switch, God of War Ragnarok is the PS5's flagship release for the holiday season. Bringing to a close Kratos's Nordic era, Ragnarok builds expertly on its 2018 predecessor to deliver an arguably superior experience. Santa Monica's title offers gratifying combat, a lengthy storyline, enjoyable side content, and stunning visuals.

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Rated Mature 17+ by ESRB, God of War Ragnarok is intended for older players, so the game is not a good pick for children. Also, the 2022 sequel continues directly from 2018's God of War, and a lack of familiarity with the latter could impact someone's enjoyment of the former.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Another sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem continues the story started in 2019's Innocence, furthering Amicia's quest to find a cure for her brother. Although not too far removed from its predecessor, Asobo Studio's game fine-tunes the gameplay and visuals to create a package that is undoubtedly a notch above Innocence. Similar to Ragnarok, Requiem does generally require familiarity with its prequel.

One of the most visually impressive games on the PS5, A Plague Tale: Requiem delivers a comprehensive single-player experience that shines in most departments. The story is relatively long and oftentimes brilliant.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion

A remaster of a 2007 PSP release, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion serves as a stopgap between Final Fantasy 7 Remake and its upcoming sequel. Unlike those projects, Crisis Core sticks close to the original version's blueprint and mainly offers an updated presentation. Nevertheless, this is still a great JRPG that will likely hit home for fans of FF7R who wish to spend more time in this world while experiencing a solid story that adds depth to the overall lore.

If this 2022 title is being considered for a PS5 user who has not played FF7R, that game's Intergrade version should be prioritized. Along with offering more content, that RPG is more likely to be discounted since it has been available for more than a year.

Xbox Series X/S

As of December 19, 2022, none of these Xbox Series X/S games are on Game Pass.

Marvel's Midnight Suns

2022 produced two big superhero games: Gotham Knights and Marvel's Midnight Suns. The latter is the better of the two projects, however, it is also an acquired taste. A tactical RPG by the developer behind XCOM, Midnight Suns assembles some of Marvel's most iconic heroes and villains, pitting them against each other in turn-based combat built upon a card system. Players get to form friendships with characters such as Iron Man and Scarlet Witch, all the while taking part in challenging battles.

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Marvel's Midnight Suns is an easy pick for fans of Spider-Man and Captain America, as long as they are fond of tactical RPGs. If searching specifically for an action-oriented superhero project, Gotham Knights is a more suitable candidate.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Activision's Call of Duty seems destined to always be a front-runner in the first-person shooter genre. The franchise's popularity suggests that most people interested in playing Modern Warfare 2 have, more than likely, already picked up a copy. If that is not the case, the FPS is one of the best Xbox game gifts since it is unlikely to ever come to Game Pass. MW2 features a decent campaign along with a variety of multiplayer modes which are destined to be active for, at the very least, a couple of years.

An 8-hour story is by no means an underwhelming length for this type of release, but MW2 should be primarily picked for its online modes since those provide the game's longevity. If someone is searching solely for a single-player FPS experience, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands or Deathloop are worth considering.

Sonic Frontiers

Like most 3D Sonic the Hedgehog games, Sonic Frontiers is divisive. Sonic Team's first stab at an open-world project has attracted both overwhelming praise and condemnation from critics; however, Sonic Frontiers' fan reception has been generally positive.

Even if 2022 produced more critically acclaimed projects, Sonic Frontiers might be the perfect gift for long-time supporters of Sega's Blue Blur. For everyone else, open-world games like Elden Ring and Dying Light 2 could be safer bets.

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