2022 is the Year of Nintendo

With so many high-quality releases on the horizon, 2022 is the Year of Nintendo. While others are making acquisitions, Nintendo is making games.

[brewin]

If they can actually deliver Breath of the Wild 2 and Bayonetta 3 this year, then absolutely! As of now it looks like a very good year for Nintendo indeed.

[DefaultComment]

Agree BOTW 2 eclipses the rest, while I love Horizon and I like GOW Zelda is on another level, idc how pretty or how high tech you claim your game will be if Zelda BOTW2 releases, it's goty, period.

[lucian229]

nah, not if it's as empty, as easy, as laggy as the first game. game was fun but far from GOTY, especially competing against Elden Ring which actually has stuff to do.

[Army_of_Darkness]

@default

Dude, you've been drinking too much crack juice... It's horizon forbidden west and God of war R that's on a whole different level! Zelda looks and plays like an indie game in comparison.

[CS7]

Apparently only on this site has the enlightenment that BOTW, one of the highest rated games of all time, is nothing but a mere empty, iPhone, indie game.

It has managed to get near perfect reviews ONLY because it is a Zelda game.

It is one of the strangest phenomenon.

To all other normal folk… BOTW is a masterpiece.

[SurgicalMenace]

@CS7

You are aware that an individual is free to arrive at their own conclusion despite the opinion of a reviewer, right? BoTW is okay when compared to other games on other platforms. BoTW is fantastic if you only limit yourself to Nintendo offerings. Nintendo games don't support any advancements in the tech industry. Why would you think a more tech-savvy community would place it BoTW in a position of high regard? The Switch looks horrible on the high-end TVs in the market. For those willing to shell out their money to have them, they're more likely to want something that takes advantage of the hardware.

Honestly, when speaking on topics of next gen, Nintendo is never even included in the conversation. It's like telling Ferrari drivers how much more efficient your Toyota is. They don't care because they bought Ferraris. Just because Toyota is more economical doesn't mean that it'll sway their preference.

[XbladeTeddy]

" while I love Horizon and I like GOW Zelda is on another level"

Ha. Hahahhahah, thanks for the laugh.

[DefaultComment]

You can laugh all you want but deep down inside you are just lying to yourselves just because you love your plastic box you bought for $400 or more
tsk tsk....a pity really but I guess yo can't handle the truth.

[lucian229]

@CS7

ummmm have you played botw? there are literally only 14 enemy types including all bosses.....that's verifiable on the official guide.......and even then most of the enemies are still the same lmaooo. Besides Lynels and wizards, they're all goblins with spears lmao

[Vithar]

Pretty sure it's Sony's with Horizon, GoW and a bunch of others

[XbladeTeddy]

Agree there. Sony is really impressing me. Still yet to get a PS5 but I will be getting one, the games they are bringing out are just fantastic. Got a lot of love for Microsoft and what they're doing but their output isn't on the level of Sony right now.

[MadLad]

What are the bunch of others?

[Fraggle1987]

God of War 2 and Horizon 2 alone destroy nintendo and microsofts lineups.

[purple101]

I'm a. Massive ps fan. But as someone else mentioned...it can go two ways here as far as 2022 is concerned.

Nintendo are delivering Splatoon 3. (Although that's 3rd party but console exclusive ) Mario strikers and Kirby.

Then if they deliver Zelda and Bayonetta (again a 3rd party with that but console exclusive)

Then that's 5 tip top console exclusives.

Sony have horizon Gran Turismo and god of war. 3 tip top games.

I'd say that's even Stevens. But it's not assured they will deliver Zelda and Bayonetta. So that would be 3 each. And Sony's are bigger & better. By far.

[Cytorakk]

Don’t forget xenoblade chronicles 3

[--Onilink--]

Advance Wars, Kirby, Fire Emblem Warriors, Mario Strikers, Mario + Rabbids, Xenoblade 3, Wii Sports, Mario Kart DLC, Triangle Strategy, Splatoon 3, Bayo 3, BotW 3 plus whatever else they announce around E3 for the rest of the year.

Sure not every one of those games is for everyone, but its still an incredibly stacked lineup

[Atticus_finch]

Its all good if you like simple kid games but some people want high end graphics, sound, Acting, story and Nintendo simply cannot deliver.

[Zhipp]

Splatoon is a 100% first party game.

I also don't know why everyone is arguing. This is going to be an incredible year no matter what console you own. If you're a Sony fan, you obviously prefer Sony games, and this year will have some of the best of all time for you. Same if you're an Xbox or Nintendo fan. It's all subjective since they all cater to different niches.

[tay8701]

you are forgetting some playstation games. third party exclusives sifu, forsaken, and ghostwire tokyo all look like they sre going to be great games.

[badz149]

I...just hope that Sony can finally make more PS5 to meet demand. There are more games coming and people everywhere are begging for the PS5 to finally be available on shelves regularly

[Eonjay]

"While others are making acquisitions, Nintendo is making games."

Actually no... you aquire and create at the same time. And even just looking at creating games, Nintendo is only tied with Sony at best. Nintendo is supposed to make games. Its their job. The more high quailty games they release this year the better it is for both their bottom line and for their consumers.

[WillyC009]

I love my switch, but no. This is the year of PlayStation. The hits coming are unreal.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

I have a Switch and I don't think so. It would be great if Metroid Prime 4 released this year, but I don't even think we are lucky to see any gameplay trailer. BotW 2 supposed to be this year, if there are no delays.

[H9]

Own both switch and PS5, but if Breath Of The Wild 2 releases this year in addition to what is already confirmed, I can't see how it would be Sony's year, the first Horizon was ridiculously inferior to botw, and I believe the same here, no offense I know horizon is a big deal on this site but it was good game nothing more than that, God Of War will be a massive hitter for Sony, yet Nintendo still dominates by sheer quantity, quality and variety again!

[SurgicalMenace]

Inferior? In what department? Graphical fidelity, storyline, mechanics, challenge, and variety of enemies. I mean, if by inferior, you mean it's not a Zelda game, then yes. Otherwise, technically speaking, Horizon is a marvel by comparison.

Right now, it's between Elden Ring, a game not even possible on Nintendo platforms, and Horizon for most anticipated. Let's not even mention how many more great games won't even be considered for Nintendo platforms that have yet to be announced. It's about the next gen and making advancements in the industry, a conversation Nintendo can't even take part in. Kids eat at the little table.

[H9]

This assumption that people only like Zelda because it's Zelda is getting old, inferior in creativity, mission structure, open wod usage, exploration, mechanics and fun factor, Botw is a open world game and I did it better than any other game ever, meanwhile Horizon copies Assassin's Creed in it's main quests and Batman in it's side quests, it's a matter of perspective, I play games to enjoy my time, Horizon was a chore in that department!

I agree with Elden Ring, no game will ever be as anticipated as that for me, yet again you are thinking of graphical power as everything, it doesn't matter at all in making the game fun or good, you don't advance the industry by relying on technology and create lifeless worlds, in matter of fact that's exactly what have derailed the industry for so long now, big beautiful looking games that are lifeless, meanwhile Nintendo makes fun and creative games!

"Kids eat at the little table" seriously? Last time I checked Nintendo games let me do whatever I wanted when I wanted the way I wanted, meanwhile a marvelous game for adults like Red Dead Redemption 2, holds my hand like a child not letting me decide anything despite being open, kids games treat their audience like adults and adult games treat their audience like children, thank God for From Software and Yoko Taro honestly, they are the last masterpiece makers in the adult side of the industry

[SurgicalMenace]

Dude, it's a game. If your measurement of freedom has to be experienced through a virtual platform that speaks volumes of your real-world acumen. People like Zelda and Horizon but to deem one inferior is asinine, when the technical prowess of one far outperforms the other. Fun factor is subjective, as BotW bored me to death but I'm replaying Horizon right now with just as much nuisance experienced the 1st time.

Elden is reusing so many resources from previous games and it's apparent to many From Software supporters. To make an argument outside of its inception appealing to your interests is delusional at best. I've got the game paid for, but to say that it presents anything more than what I've experienced previously would be just as delusional. I will not attempt to diminish the accomplishments of a title just because I'm not interested in it. That would be childish. I purchased Zelda and played it to arrive at my synopsis of the impact it had on me.

Lastly, advancements are generally measured on a technical basis. Concerning lifeless worlds, how is that not seen in Zelda? The game's never stood out for its population density, but I guess it's different now that you're attempting to make a point. When you advance the graphics without sacrificing great mechanics that is what makes games like Horizon, GoW, Uncharted, Ghost, Ratchet, etc a marvel to experience. If it meant nothing why are the TVs following where the advancements of cinema and graphical fidelity are leading them?

[H9]

Uh freedom in a game? That's what I meant not freedom in real life, you know the freedom to go wherever you want and do whatever you want, how the hell did you think I was talking about real life?

Again technical power means so much to you, some people like me, don't care about power or graphics, we think games like Undertale wipes the floor with most AAA games, so that's out of my discussion, if you enjoy horizon that's fair enough!

As for Elden Ring, there's absolutely nothing wrong with using the assets you already have if that gives you time to invest in other areas, from the network test alone I can see that this is the only game that understood freedom like BOTW did, to me that game is redefining open world, we have to wait and see if the full game will do it or not!

Lifeless worlds is not about population it's about it's character, Zelda is full of charm and character, every corner hides something and I feel excited to see what kind of lunacy I will witness meanwhile most Sony Open world games are copy paste everything from assassin's Creed, and that's as lifeless as it gets, actually every Sony game would have been better off as linear... To each their own, some see innovation as the jump from HD to full HD and I see it as Dark Souls creating a sub genre, it isn't made by visuals, it's made by design, Mario did it, Castlevania did it!

[SurgicalMenace]

You totally agree with you, and I'm good with that.😁

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I love PS, but I think Nintendo owns this year so far unless Sony has some more games to announce for the year. Microsoft is out of the running as always until they actually show up with some games for once.

[H9]

Same here, I love PS, but Nintendo apparently is on the way to have a great year, despite the fact I am not sure about Zelda releasing this year!

[Aussiesummer]

How is it? The one game Nintendo fans are banking on is botw2 and it hasn't even got a release date. Nintendo have nothing exciting other than that.
Meanwhile sony is killing it.

[Destiny1080]

if you like strapping a controller to your leg

[thesoftware730]

I have to agree, so much exclusive games coming for Switch like it or not.

Pokemon :A just came out
48MK tracks!
XB 3
Advance wars
Mario Strikers
Splatoon 3
3D Kirby(finally)
Triangle strategy
Possible Bayo 3
Possible BotW 2
Fire emblem warriors:3 hopes

And you can bet they have unannounced games.
Like them or not, it's all subjective anyway, but that is ALL exclusive..no PC no mobile...Only on NS.

[jznrpg]

XB3 I want and count that as big , Advance Wars looks really dated for a remake but I may buy it if it gets cheaper , Fire Emblem is a Musuo game bleh if it was a proper game I would give more credit . Mario Kirby etc tired of the kids stuff smaller games anyway . BoTW 2 would be good . Bayonetta 2 was ok . I’d count 2 of those as big games and the rest are much smaller maybe 3 if Bayonetta comes out and it’s good. . Just this Feb and March there is Forbidden West, Sifu , Relayer and multiplats of Elden Ring and Dying Light 2 . I’d count that at least the same as what’s possible for Nintendo and that’s not including God Of War and who knows what else Sony hasn’t announced yet . I’m not a fan of kids games so to each their own but they are smaller kids games to begin with so you can’t count them the same as bigger AAA games imo and remastered Tracks don’t do it for me either . Nintendo should have much more big games coming at year 5 then they do imo they get a pass with the small stuff and dlc I guess from fanatics but I expect more at this point in Switch life cycle . If this was Sony year 5 and they only released what Nintendo has they would get a lot of shit and rightfully so .

[FlavorLav01]

And not one of those games interest me as a 37 year old gamer. Nintendo had nothing exclusive aimed at adults. I have officially out grown Nintendo. I’m sure my kids will love it, but I no longer see a future where they’ll have anything outside of Mario sport titles that i care about.

[Zhipp]

Damn i figured we moved past the "Nintendo is for kids" stage back in the Wii days. You guys are making me cringe

[shinoff2183]

Im mostly on playatation but i do have a switch. You can call mario whatever you want but its more then a kid game. I wasnt a big fan of the newest mario but most are really good. Also i didnt care for it cause me and my girl like to play together and well who wants to play as the hat. Kinda whack. I like zelda to but im not sure how i feel of botw to be honest. I wasnt blown away but it was ok.

Anyway i do think sonys year is stacking up better. I guess we will see what actually releases

I wanted to add since i already typed all that. I am pretty tired of nintendos first party games never dropping in price. I game on a budget and some of there games i cant see buying at the price tag.

[Cuzizkool]

I’m a 36 (and a half!) year old gamer and at least 4 of those games interest me. Does that mean we cancel each other out?

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I agree fully, I just added a heap of games to my wanted buy list from that last Direct, that was absolutely crazy (There's alot of games from that Direct that I'm planning on getting for PC instead though).

I really feel like people are down playing Nintendo's lineup, and I predominantly play on PS/PC.

[Vengeance1138]

Author misspelt Sony in the title.

[SurgicalMenace]

🤣🤣

[BrainSyphoned]

It isn't the console of the year and it isn't the handheld of the year.
Steam Deck won't compete in sales but it can play almost all third party titles, all Xbox exclusives and some Sony exclusives.

Excited for rabbids and front mission though.

[AnotherGamer]

But the year just started.

[darkrider]

It's always Nintendo year. Their games sell big, but aren't pushing gaming forward. They are good for the switch, but are generations behind whats is coming out in 2022. We aren't in 2009. Graphics, animations, effects, voice acting, frames, AA. Everything is outdated by today standards, A machine with half a teraflop in portable mode or one teraflop can't really make nothing groundbreaking. Their games are stylish and very good for the switch, but only that

[SurgicalMenace]

Sales don't only measure interests but also where the minds of the masses are. The Switch is a very simplistic system easy for the average mind to comprehend. Though, when measured in a more advanced technical market, Nintendo isn't even mentioned. They do sell well in their market, but so does Honda. But when placing the Honda in a market of supercars, how does it perform? Does how many it sold matter when its performance is subpar comparatively? I get the argument of sales, but as an analyst, there is a far broader spectrum of understanding that goes unexplored by the masses.

What stands out more, the Prius or the Porsche? Which one sells more? Which one sets the standard of technical enginuity? Which one leaves a more impactful statement of technical prowess? Though both have their advantages, the markets they appeal to couldn't be more different.

[Atticus_finch]

I think I'm not alone when I say that I prefer games that have voice acting, worthy story and high end graphics. Nintendo lost my interest after I hit puberty.

[SurgicalMenace]

Only if you're remotely interested in their 1st party offerings. I just want Prime, Strange, and Xenoblade; they can keep everything else. All the games I'm most excited about are coming to next gen consoles.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

After the first Nintendo Direct of the year, I wouldn't be surprised if they took 2022 as the Year of Nintendo, especially if they have another slew of game announcements.

[Seraphim]

I don't know about everyone else but I'm just happy to own a PS5 and Switch. Though, yes, I would love a hardware upgrade so games don't run so poorly..... Currently I'd have to put the PS on top but this year is looking pretty great for Nintendo too. But to call 2022 the year of Nintendo? a bit far reaching atm; at least imo. Regardless of console fanatics and warring factions it's looking to be a great year for Nintendo and Playstation in terms of 1st and 3rd party support. I'll take all the good-great games that I can as I have more than enough time to tackle whatever they can throw at me.

[Nitode]

2022 is looking good for nintendo, and for me. Cant wait to Get my hands on the new kirby, mk8 dlc, mario strikers, pocky and rocky, splatoon 3, disney racer, switch sports etc. Only downside is that its difficult to not have a big backlog.

[Silly gameAr]

Maybe in Nintendo world, but in the real world, other people might disagree.

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

Guys, can we please stop fighting and just agree that 2022 is shaping up to be a solid year for both PS and Switch owners? I’m glad I own both. Both companies know the value of exclusives, and it shows.

[XbladeTeddy]

No, we fight!

[Jrpg_Gamer]

People forget so easily that sony has more games this year, little devil inside, stray, possibly ff XVI, horizon VR, Forspoken etc

[purple101]

@zhipp. Cool name btw.

Yes spaltoon 1st party. So sorry. I had a memory failure. And was thinking de blob and de blob2. Which were thq published. Both involve paint. #. Hehe