2021 has been an exciting year for the Nintendo Switch. Last year saw the release of the Switch OLED, which introduced a better screen and better battery, and a general update for the console finally included the much-requested Bluetooth audio support. As far as games are concerned, the hybrid console saw the release of highly-anticipated games such as Metroid Dread, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Monster Hunter Stories 2, and many more.

Additionally, the Switch's commercial performance continues to go upward and is on its way to outselling the Nintendo Wii. Of course, with the current success of the Nintendo Switch, it is natural for gamers to wonder what's next for the console and what players should expect from it in 2022.

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Nintendo Switch Video Game Release Calendar 2022

pokemon legends arceus

One thing that Nintendo gamers can look forward to this year is the release of several highly-anticipated Switch games, sequels, and ports. Kicking off 2022 is the launch of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which is set to release on January 28.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus will soon be followed by Life is Strange Remastered Collection in February, Triangle Strategy, Chocobo GP, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land in March. Given that it is still just the first month of 2022, much of the highly-anticipated games on the Switch still do not have exact release dates, though they are slated to launch sometime this year, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 3, and more.

Here are some of the biggest Switch games expected for a 2022 release:

  • Pokemon Legends: Arceus - Jan 28
  • Triangle Strategy - Mar 4
  • Chocobo GP - Mar 10
  • Rune Factory 5 - Mar 22
  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Mar 25
  • Life is Strange Remastered Collection - Recently delayed on Switch, TBA 22
  • Splatoon 3 - TBA 2022
  • The Lord of the Rings: Gollum - TBA 2022
  • Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope - TBA 2022
  • Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout - TBA 2022
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 - TBA 2022

Nintendo Directs of 2022

A Nintendo Direct logo on a red background

While some may be disappointed with the lack of specific release dates of upcoming Switch games, these will likely be confirmed on the upcoming Direct presentations Nintendo has planned for 2022. At the moment, Nintendo still hasn't announced when the first event will take place, but looking at last year's pattern of Nintendo Directs, the first one of 2022 could happen sometime in February.

Similarly, succeeding Direct presentations are expected to be scattered throughout 2022, with the biggest one happening around E3 2022, though players should take note that there are rumors that E3 is going to be canceled this year. However, even if E3 ends up canceled, Nintendo will likely continue with a huge Direct since all of its presentations are held virtually. Apart from Direct presentations, fans should also expect smaller events such as Indie World and maybe a Pokemon-centered Direct towards the middle of 2022 to showcase a possible DLC for Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

The Switch Pro Rumors Will Likely Rear Their Head Again

switch oled

Apart from games, one of the biggest questions Nintendo fans have is whether a new version of the Switch will be released this year. At the moment, Nintendo's last update on this question was via a tweet released in July 2021 that was repeated later in September, stating that the company has "no plans for any new model other than the Nintendo Switch - OLED Model." However, given that the OLED version of the hybrid console is barely a year old, it is unlikely for Nintendo to release yet another version this year as doing so would likely stir up heat from fans who just purchased the OLED.

However, rumors about the highly-requested Switch Pro continue to swirl online, especially after it was revealed in an investor meeting that a new major Nintendo console is set to release in "20xx." Of course, this could mean anytime between 2022 and 2099, so players should expect rumors to still run rampant this year. It would be interesting to see how the story of the Switch Pro would turn out this year, especially since the OLED version just came out and the continuous upward sales performance of existing models of the Switch.

Nintendo Switch Online May Get Improvements

nintendo switch online expansion pack

As for the Nintendo Switch Online, fans should expect the service to receive significant improvements this year to keep up with its competitors. It is worth remembering that Nintendo Switch Online received a major revamp in 2021 in the form of the Switch Online Expansion Pack. Upon its announcement, some fans were happy with the addition of N64 and Sega Genesis games, while some complained about the port quality of games and the service's expensive subscription fees.

For 2022, the company has already announced some N64 classics joining the Nintendo Switch via the Switch Online service this year, such as The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Pokemon Snap, and many more. However, the company is still yet to reveal additional Genesis games, but more may be added in the next few months. As far as the Expansion Pack side of the service is concerned, players should also expect high-profile DLCs to join the service, similar to how Nintendo debuted this feature with the Animal Crossing: Happy Home Paradise DLC.

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