2022 marks the fifth anniversary of the Nintendo Switch, and the home console shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to thrill gamers with impressive new titles that standing evenly with the competition. The Switch came out the gate swinging in 2017 with an especially solid library of games in its first year, one that has yet to be surpassed with the system's subsequent annual offerings.
However, as the gaming industry emerges from a prolonged period of delays due to the pandemic, 2022 is poised to potentially exceed the Switch's incredible launch year as it pushes the console to new heights. Here is a comparison of what made the launch year for the Nintendo Switch so popular and effective in propelling Nintendo back to the forefront of the gaming industry and how 2022 solidifies the Switch's future to be brighter than ever five years into its life cycle.
Why 2017 Was the Switch's Best Year
When the Nintendo Switch launched on March 3, 2017, it boasted the brand-new Legend of Zelda game Breath of the Wild along with 1-2 Switch and a selection of third-party titles, including Super Bomberman R. Breath of the Wild was widely heralded as a fresh start for Nintendo's venerable fantasy franchise and potentially the best game in the series overall. Over 900,000 copies of Breath of the Wild for the Switch were sold in the United States alone in its first month, bought alongside the new console.
Nintendo maintained the momentum with a line of high-profile first-party releases throughout the remainder of 2017, starting with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, an upgraded port version of 2014's Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U, in April. July would see the release of the enormously popular Splatoon 2, while October featured the release of Super Mario Odyssey and Fire Emblem Warriors. Between these major first-party releases, the Switch saw plenty of other games, including titles from third-parties -- something that had been glaringly absent from the Wii U's library. Games like Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Sonic Mania were also released throughout 2017.
This strategy would ultimately payoff, with well over five million Switch units being shipped worldwide over the course of its launch month. Based on that, Nintendo projected it would sell 10 million consoles by the end of the 2017 fiscal year, only to exceed this target within the Switch's first nine months. In response, Nintendo adjusted its projections for worldwide Switch sales to reach 14 million units by the end of the fiscal year and 20 million by the end of its second year on the market.
How 2022 Could Be Even Better for Switch Owners
While 2021 saw a healthy number of releases for the Switch, many of Nintendo's biggest franchises were largely absent. This looks to change in 2022, with several major first-party franchises set to release new games. Meanwhile, third-party support for the Switch remains as strong as ever. Pokémon Legends: Arceus leads the Switch's console-exclusive releases in 2022, allowing players to explore the Sinnoh Region in a prequel to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Full sequels to Splatoon 2 and Breath of the Wild are slated for release in 2022. While neither have firm release dates yet, it has been speculated that Splatoon 3 will release this summer, while Breath of the Wild's sequel is anticipated by the year's end. Also coming this year is, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the first new Kirby game in three years, not counting the fighting game spinoff Kirby Fighters 2.
In addition to first-party titles, there are a number of third-party games set for release for the Switch in 2022, from the tactical RPG Triangle Strategy by Square Enix to the long-awaited Bayonetta 3. Another Switch-exclusive is Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, continuing the turn-based action that blended Nintendo and Ubisoft's worlds in the Switch's launch year.
2022 also marks a major year for re-releases, remasters and expansions for existing games, including an expansion of Nintendo Switch Online's library for premium subscribers, hopefully with improved emulation performance. The long dormant strategy franchise Advance Wars is receiving a remake of its first two games this spring in Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp following a delay out of 2021.
Finally, while the bestselling Monster Hunter Rise is making its way to PC after a year as a Switch exclusive, the game is also getting a major expansion with Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak set for release this summer. While 2017 will surely go down in history as one of the best launch years for any console, 2022 may also be remembered as the Switch's best year overall thanks to a strong lineup from Nintendo and continued support from the third party and indie developers who have made sure there is always something new to play on Switch.