What’s coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2022

On Feb. 9, Nintendo released their latest direct, informing us of all the releases fans can be expecting in the first half of 2022. 

I love my Nintendo Switch, it truly is my child. People fawn over their PS5’s that their girlfriends got them for Valentine’s, and others obsess over their X-Box, but for me, my heart always has been with Nintendo. 

From the first GameBoy, I was given back when I was around six, to having my “Animal Crossing” villagers be a part of my family at the age of twenty, there truly is so much joy that this company has given me. 

And if there truly is a time to be nostalgic, Nintendo has decided to bring back some classic favorites that I am dying to get my hands on. 

Of course, what stood out to me may not have stood out to you, but I’m the one writing about it so you will be subjected to my excitement. Sorry, not sorry. Not all that was announced will be covered in this article.

The first game that captured my eye was “Mario Strikers: Battle Leauge.” This is the newest addition to the “Mario Strikers” family, and I could not be more excited to play it. I am a sucker for any Mario sports game, give me any sport attached to Mario and suddenly I am their biggest fan.

This game will be available to play on June 11, and I truly am counting down the days. A concern I do have though is my favorite character, Daisy, was nowhere to be found in the trailer; my icon needs her moment to shine.

Right after this announcement, we finally got a sneak peek of what to expect with “Splatoon 3,” releasing late this summer. I do not frequent this game as I used to anymore, we can blame the breakup for that, but after seeing this teaser I may be the first in line to buy this game when it drops.

This little tease was for their salmon run aspect of the game, and how it may look in this newer game. Now, I HATE playing salmon run, but after this footage it makes me quite excited. Being able to finally throw the eggs? Life changing. All the new features they added seem, as the straights would say — not to cateogrize you all — dope. 

After a bunch of boring announcements, when I saw my favorite pink character, Kirby, swallow a car, the hole in my heart instantly filled up. This trailer of course was for the game, “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” releasing on March 25. This game looks mesmerizing, and so cute, and when there is such a thing called mouthful mode you already know Nintendo is getting my $59.99 for this game.

When I tell you I screamed at this next announcement, you need to trust me. I was in shock, tears almost at them announcing “Nintendo Switch Sports.” “Wii Sports” was my actual favorite game that I would play as a child, and now being able to play it as an adult truly is about to bring me to near tears. 

Never once did I ever think of this possibility, but Nintendo loves to surprise. Seeing that I can bowl again with all the Mii’s surrounding me truly brought a tear to my eye. I am dying to get my hands on this game, which will be released April 29, and free updates will follow in the later half of 2022. 

While we only saw a glimpse of this game, “Two Point Campus”, looked right up my alley. Basically in the five seconds we saw, it seems like this game is Harry Potter, but modernized. It is set to be released on May 17.

While I was expecting an announcement for “Mario Kart 9,” instead we got news that they will be remastering old tracks and putting them into the current “Mario Kart 8.” This was not expected, but at the end of the day it still is exciting to see more classic “Mario Kart” tracks for the Switch. Granted, the graphics looked a little off, but what they showed probably was not final software. 

All I’m saying, if we do not get the Waluigi Pinball map, I am going to actually write a letter to Nintendo myself. All these new tracks will be a part of the “Mario Kart Booster Course Pass,” with eight courses set to be released at a time through waves. The waves will end by the end of 2023 (a little dragged out in my opinion). The first wave of this paid DLC will be released on March 18, and will cost $24.99 for the entire pass. 

I hope you are as excited as me for these future releases, and I cannot wait to geek out about video games with you all. Maybe you will see a video game review or two in the future, who knows?