Hottest Switch games from 2022 that gamers actually want this holiday season

(Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

I've been covering all things Nintendo Switch for four years now including reviews for Switch games. This year, there's been an abundance of amazing Switch titles that are all worth looking at. Since many of the best Switch games are steeply discounted right now for Cyber Monday it's the perfect time to pick some up. I made sure to post the best discounts for each game I found as well.

I've personally reviewed or at least played all of the games on this list and can vouge for them being amazing. Some aren't perfect, but I'll go into that in their descriptions. If you need help figuring you whether to buy from the eShop or from a physical store, we can help in our physical vs digital Switch games guide.

Pokémon Scarlet | $60 at Amazon

The latest core Pokémon games just released a couple of weeks ago and sold over 10 million copies in their first three days. A truly insane feat. The games have some unacceptable performance issues, but as I said in my <a href="https://www.imore.com/gaming/nintendo-switch/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-for-nintendo-switch-review-best-and-worst-gen-of-all-time">Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review, the core story and gameplay are incredibly fun. If you're a Pokémon fan they're definitely worth playing.

Sonic Frontiers | (Was $60) Now $39 at Amazon

The blue blur's latest game released in November and while I call it far from perfect in my <a href="https://www.imore.com/gaming/nintendo-switch/sonic-frontiers-for-nintendo-switch-review-the-hedgehogs-best-game-in-years">Sonic Frontiers review, it is the hedgehog's best game in years. Sonic runs around open-world areas collecting items and trying to save his friends. One of the best parts is that it includes 3D levels designed after classic Sega Genesis locations. It's a great choice for any Sonic fans.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land | (Was $60) Now $45 at Amazon

This is arguably the best Kirby game ever and also serves as a great intro to platformers since gameplay is so relaxed. As I said in my <a href="https://www.imore.com/kirby-and-forgotten-land-nintendo-switch-review">Kirby and the Forgotten Land review, "Kirby is so powerful that I often felt like I was playing in God Mode." On top of that, tricky bits are more forgiving since Kirby can float for a while if he misses a ledge instead of falling immediately to his doom. What's more, you can play it solo or with a friend in <a href="https://www.imore.com/kirby-and-forgotten-land-how-unlock-multiplayer-co-op">two-player co-op.

Nintendo Switch Sports | (Was $50) Now $48 at Amazon

Everyone remembers how popular Wii Sports was a decade ago and now that same motion-controlled sporting fun is available in a new game on Switch. As we explained in our <a href="https://www.imore.com/nintendo-switch-sports-review">Nintendo Switch Sports review, you can go bowling, play soccer, compete in tennis, and much more. You need to purchase the physical version so you can get the leg-strap accessory for certain games. Remember to attach your Joy-Con strap to your wrist to prevent accidentally throwing your controller at your TV or anything else nearby.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope | $60 at Amazon

It's admittedly a very strange pairing of characters, but as I said in my <a href="https://www.imore.com/gaming/nintendo-switch/mario-rabbids-sparks-of-hope-for-nintendo-switch-review-a-fantastic-strategy-game-filled-with-silly-moments">Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope review, this game offers extremely satisfying strategy mechanics and the main characters are so silly that they are charming. If you're a fan of tactical turn-based games like XCOM this will be a hit.

Triangle Strategy | (Was $60) Now $55 at GameStop

<a href="https://www.imore.com/triangle-strategy">Triangle Strategy might have a weird name, but Square Enix's decision-based strategy game was a big hit this year and is definitely worth your attention. Combat mechanics are similar to Fire Emblem: Three Houses while visuals use the same HD-2D style we've seen in Octopath Traveler. Plus, there are tough moral decisions to make in the main plot and your choices change the outcome of the story. You'll want to play it again and again.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 | (Was $60) Now $52 at Amazon

Monolith Soft's JRPG manages to bring a massive world onto the limited Switch without causing performance issues. As I explained in my <a href="https://www.imore.com/gaming/nintendo-switch/xenoblade-chronicles-3-nintendo-switch-review">Xenoblade Chronicles 3 review, it's an intriguing story about young fighters who are bred to fight an enemy. But one day, opposing teens come together and learn they're stronger for it. Now they're out to free everyone else in the world and uncover an ancient mystery. A long, fun game for JRPG fans.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | (Was $60) Now $29 at Walmart

Technically, <a href="https://www.imore.com/legend-zelda-breath-wild-review">Breath of the Wild is not from this year, but if your Switch fan hasn't played it yet they should really give it a go as it's at its lowest price ever. It's one of the most critically and user-acclaimed games of the last few years. Plus, you'll want to play it before the sequel, <a href="https://www.imore.com/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom">The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, releases next May.

Awesome Nintendo Switch Cyber Monday deals for holiday shopping

So many games released this year for Nintendo Switch and it can be hard to wade through which ones are actually worth your time. In my opinion, these are the very best Switch games to have launched in 2022. Some of them certainly have flaws, but they are still really fun to play and are the hottest titles that gamers will want this year.

If you're not sure what to get then I recommend grabbing Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. These just released on November 18 and they've been so popular that they already broke records by selling an insane 10 million copies in just the first three days. I won't lie to you, they perform horribly with lag and choppy frame rate. However, they offer the best plot of any Pokémon games, provide the first open-world Pokémon adventure, and of course have that super fun catching and collecting mechanic at their center.

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.