9 interesting Switch titles for 2022! Xenoblade 3, Splatoon 3, and Fire Emblem Warriors: Fuuka Yukigetsu!

The most interesting Switch titles of 2022

Xenoblade 3

© Nintendo / MONOLITHSOFT

• Release date: 7/29/2022
• Genre: RPG
• Price: 8,778 yen (including tax) *8,700 yen (including tax) for download version
• Maker: Nintendo

The latest title in the "Xenoblade" series, an RPG that allows players to explore a vast world. Set in the world of "Ionion," where two military nations, "Keves" and "Agnus," are engaged in an endless war, Noah and his friends from Keves' camp and Mio and his friends from Agnus' camp, although they are enemies, set out on an adventure to a place called "City," which they were told by a mysterious man.

Battles in this work are seamless, and when you come into contact with an enemy, you go straight into battle. The characters have a variety of roles, including attacker, defender, and healer, and it is important to understand their strengths and weaknesses while fighting.

In addition to the elaborate story and battle system, the game's challenging elements and the background music that enhances the story have attracted much attention, and the game was even nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022.

Splatoon 3

©Nintendo

• Release date: 2022/9/9
• Genre: Action Shooter
• Price: 6,578 yen (including tax) *6,500 yen (including tax) for download version
• Manufacturer: Nintendo

The latest title in the "Splatoon" series, an action shooting game in which players control mysterious squids that can transform into human form. The core of the series, which is to shoot ink and paint the ground, has been retained, but new weapons such as the "Wiper," which applies ink as if slashing, and the "Stringer," which resembles a bow, have also been introduced. The game has been continuously updated since its release, with new weapons and stages being added on a regular basis.

This title supports both local and Internet communication, so you can bring your Nintendo Switch directly to the game or connect it to the Internet to fight against players around the world. You can play "Splatoon" any way you like. This title has now sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, and is showing no less momentum than its predecessor, which was a mega-hit, selling more than 10 million copies.

Bayonetta 3

© Nintendo © SEGA Published by Nintendo

• Release date: 2022/10/28
• Genre: Action
• Price: 7,678 yen (including tax) *7,600 yen (including tax) for download version
• Manufacturer: Nintendo

The latest title in the action game series starring Bayonetta, a witch who fights brilliantly using guns carried in both arms and legs. This is the first sequel in eight years since the previous title, "Bayonetta 2," and features not only familiar characters such as Bayonetta and Jeanne, but also a new character named Viola, the "Third Witch," to help her face the mysterious "Homunculus" that threatens the world. She is also a new character, Viola, the "Third Witch.

On the battle front, Bayonetta has two new powers: "Demon Masquerade" and "Demon Slave. Demon Masquerade is a technique in which Bayonetta fuses herself with a magical beast and wields its power, while Demon Slave is a technique in which she summons a great magical beast and controls it at will. The Demon Slave summons great demonic beasts and manipulates them at will.

Kirby Discovery

©HAL Laboratory, Inc. / Nintendo

• Release date: 2022/3/25
• Genre: Action
• Price: 6,578 yen (including tax) *6,500 yen (including tax) for download version
• Maker: Nintendo

The latest title in the "Kirby the Star" series, one of Nintendo's most popular titles. Set in a "New World" where civilization and nature have merged, Kirby adventures through various fields in order to save Waddle Dee and his friends who have been taken away by the "Beast Army.

In addition to the series' familiar ability to copy the abilities of enemies he has sucked in, this title adds a new element called "Hobari Henkei. When vending machines and cars are inhaled, the player is able to perform a special action corresponding to each of them. This title also features 3D action for the first time in the series, and together with the "hobari henkei," it allows for a different kind of action. Furthermore, this title has such a high level of user satisfaction that it won the grand prize in the game category of the "Price.com Product Awards 2022," which are announced annually by Price.com.

Live Alive

© 1994, 2022 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. CHARACTER DESIGN © 1994, 2022 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. © 1994, SHOGAKUKAN Inc. Gosho Aoyama, Yoshihide Fujiwara, Osamu Ishiwata, Yoshinori Kobayashi, Ryouji Minagawa, Kazuhiko Shimamoto, Yumi Tamura

• Release date: 2022/7/22
• Genre: RPG
• Price: 7,480 yen (tax included)
• Publisher: Square Enix

A remake of "Live Alive" released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994. It features seven different storylines with different eras and protagonists, and players can play their favorite stories in any order they wish. It is also important to note that the gameplay differs greatly from story to story, including adventure, suspense, and stealth elements.

The remake uses HD-2D, the same technology used in "Octopath Traveler" and "Triangle Strategy," with additional elements such as an HP gauge and skip function, and many other features that have been brushed up for the modern age. The fact that Takashi Tokita, who served as director of the original work, was involved in the production of this title was also a topic of discussion.

Pokémon Scarlet Violet

©2022 Pokémon. ©1995-2022 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.

• Release date: 2022/11/18
• Genre: RPG
• Price: 6,578 yen each (including tax) *Downloadable version: 6,500 yen each (including tax)
• Maker: Pokemon

The latest title in the nationally popular RPG "Pokemon" series. Set in a region called Pardea, players will embark on a new adventure. This is the first title in the series to feature an open world, allowing players to go anywhere in the game without loading up the computer. The game is basically the same for Scarlett and Violet, although the detailed characters and monsters differ between them.

There are three storylines: "Champion Road," in which players aim to become champions by conquering gyms in various regions; "Legendary Route," in which they collect "Secret Spice" by defeating "Nushi Pokémon;" and "Stardust★Street," in which they battle the "Star Clan," which annoys people at school. The game also features "Terrestrial" in the battles.

In addition, a new element called "Terrastal" is introduced in the battles. This is a power unique to Pokémon living in the Pardea region, and when Terastar is used, the Pokémon changes its appearance according to its own "Terrace Type. By combining terrace types with techniques and characteristics, a variety of strategies can be created.

Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus

Ⓒ2022 Pokémon. ©1995-2022 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. Pokémon, Pokémon and Pokémon are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. Nintendo Switch logo and Nintendo Switch are trademarks of Nintendo.

• Release date: 1/28/2022
• Genre: Action RPG
• Price: 6,578 yen (tax included)
• Maker: Pokemon

Set in a new location called the "Jade Region," this title is a continuation of the "Pokemon" series. Based in Kotobukimura, players investigate Pokémon living in various areas to complete the Pokémon Pictorial Book. The Jade Region has a variety of fields, such as grasslands and snowy mountains, and there are also elements that are connected to the world of "Pokémon: Diamond Pearl.

One of the features of this title is the battle system, which is based on the "Pokémon" series in which each Pokémon takes one action per turn, but in this title, the order and number of actions are determined by the Pokémon's "Quickness" and the moves it can perform. This major change in the way Pokémon battle has been conducted has made it possible to enjoy Pokémon battles that are different from those in previous titles in the series.

Mario + Rabbids Galaxy Battle

MARIO + RABBIDS GALAXY BATTLE © 2022 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Rabbids, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered Nintendo properties are licensed to Ubisoft Entertainment by Nintendo. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.

• Release date: 2022/12/2
• Genre: Simulation
• Price: 6,578 yen (including tax) *6,500 yen (including tax) for download version
• Maker: Nintendo

A collaborative work featuring Mario, a well-known Nintendo character, and Rabbids, the main character of the "Rabbids" series including "Rabbids Party". Mario and Rabbids embark on an epic adventure to save Sparks in order to defeat the evil life form "Cruza," which seeks to steal the energy possessed by "Sparks" and take control of the universe.

The battles in this title are turn-based simulations. Players select three of nine characters with different characteristics to form a team, and battle through a squareless stage, alternating between allies and enemies. There are various conditions for winning a battle, such as "destroying all enemies" or "moving to the destination," so it is important to have the right strategy and team formation for each.

Fire Emblem Musou: Fuuka Yukigetsu

© Nintendo / INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS © Koei Tecmo Games All rights reserved. Licensed by Nintendo

• Release date: 2022/6/24
• Genre: Tactical action
• Price: 7,920 yen (tax included)
• Manufacturer: Koei Tecmo Games Co.

This title succeeds the world of "Fire Emblem: Fuuka Yukigetsu" ("FE Fuuka Yukigetsu"), which was released in 2019 by Nintendo Co. Set in the land of Fodra, where three powers - the Adrastean Empire, the Holy Kingdom of Fergus, and the League of the Lords of Leicester - are all in the thick of things, the game tells a new story that could have been, with a different protagonist than in "FE Fuuka Yukigetsu". The world is the same, but the main character is new, making it easier for fans of the previous title as well as newcomers to the series to get into the game.

The game's system consists of three main parts: the "military part," in which players interact with friends and strengthen their own armies; the "march part," in which players advance while conquering surrounding areas; and the "battle part," in which players direct their friends while also kicking the crap out of enemies with their own one-hit wits and muso action. The game offers a different experience from the simulation game "FE: Fuuka Yukigetsu," combining action and simulation.