22 AAA Games to Watch in 2022

Pokémon Legends Arceus 

Alright, let’s start the Nintendo Block off right. I know there’s a lot of flack on this game channeling Breath of the Wild but not matching it graphically. Frankly? I don’t care. 

This is a new Pokémon spin off experimenting with mechanics! Monster Hunter style researching Pokémon and Exploring the world in open zones. A whole set of new battle systems, no gyms and even real time catching. 

I’ll take some so-so textures if the actual experience of playing the game twists things up enough. Which it definitely seems to be doing!

Releasing January 28th on Nintendo Switch.

Splatoon 3 

So here’s the thing, Splatoon is consistently one of the most impressive Shooters at release in both Campaign and Multiplayer. The former is a schmorgasboard of gameplay mechanics and ingenuious design. The latter a tightly challenging territorial control game that rewards good teamwork. 

Both with an astonishingly good soundtrack and one of the most distinctive art styles in games.

So literally all Splatoon 3 has to be is more of that again. And they’ve managed it twice so far! With more postapocalypic worldbuilding to come and some deeply unsettlimg furry enemies to fight, I’m very excited to see what this game has to offer.

Currently scheduled for 2022, releasing on Nintendo Switch

Kirby and the Forgotten Land 

A new Kirby game isn’t too much of a surprise (they turn up more frequently than Pokémon games) but one that shifts the action to a 3D plane is a novel surprise. 

Taking more than a few cues from Super Mario 3D Land, Kirby and the Forgotten Land looks like a tonne of fun. 

Co-op mode with a Waddle Dee buddy, a central hub of minigames and features to play with plus levels/power ups that look as inventive as they do pretty.

Currently releasing on March 25th 2022 on Nintendo Switch.

Breath of the Wild 2 

We’ve been promised the game currently known as “Untitled Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Sequel” for a while now. Barring one trailer featuring a Link with some serious arm trauma and some new power glimpses, we know nothing. 

When Breath of the Wild launched, it offered something new and exciting for the series. 

The idea that we’re getting a followup that’s a direct sequel, something we haven’t seen since Majora’s Mask, and yet we know barely anything. 

Which is wildly exciting!

Currently promised for 2022, releasing on Nintendo Switch.

Bayonetta 3

Platinum hasn’t fully lost its lustre, but between Bayonetta 3’s announcement and release, the audience has started to doubt them a little after Astral Chain and what’s been seen so far from Babylon’s Fall. 

The first gameplay trailer teased all that for me. Promising a younger Bayonetta with the same great stylish combat, Bayonetta 3 also seems to be offering new ways to play. Extra opportunities to summon and fight with massive daemons, plus more world affecting attacks feel like they’ll play extra well with the Kaiju sized enemies we’ve seen so far.

Bayonetta will be summoning her way into 2022 on Nintendo Switch