I occasionally see people respond to my weekly [Upcoming Releases](https://old.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/t26h3g/full_list_of_upcoming_games_on_the_nintendo/) posts with comments like “it’s just a buncha’ shovelware”, and I don’t think people realize the potential in some of the games they’re dismissing.
Because of this, before we jump into the next month, I’m going through the list of upcoming games for that month *that we know about*, and highlighting the ones that have a strong chance of being worth paying attention to, as well as a brief snippet about the game explaining why it’s worth watching.
I will specifically *only* be highlighting games that have a reasonably strong pedigree, or that are otherwise particularly noteworthy in some way beyond “this looks good, it *could* be interesting…”. This means that I’ll likely be mentioning a lot of ports, as it’s easier to know a game will likely be good if it was already good on another platform (I’m including games that scored 75 or higher on Metacritic on other platforms, 80% positive or higher on Steam, and/or 4 or higher rating on Google Play store). I’ll also mention games whose developer has a decent track record for producing quality.
Oh, and before getting into the games, I should note that this is just the list we have available right now – there are likely to be new games announced after this list comes out, as well as games on this list that get delayed. Also, I should note that this is *not* a list of the *only* games worth getting on the Switch this month – just the ones that I feel can be backed up with more than just “feels” given what we know now. And of course, since these games aren’t released yet, I obviously can’t *know* they’re good, they just look promising.
I’m continuing the use of “Buzz Picks” to indicate titles that, while they have no clear established pedigree to indicate they’ll be good or bad, they are nevertheless highly anticipated or noteworthy for other reasons.
Anyway, on to the list!
**[3/1/2022 – FAR: Changing Tides](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/far-changing-tides-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppu7BYvHZuk)) – This game didn’t get enough reviews from critics when it released on PC in 2021, but players wereEarly reviews are already starting to trickle out for various versions of this sequel to 2019’s Puzzle-Platformer FAR: Lone Sails. The reviews for Changing Tides are very positive so far, with Metacritic scores for other versions of the game sitting in the mid-70s to low-80s. Thy praise its atmosphere, puzzles, and soundtrack, but warn that the game is a bit on the short side.
**[3/2/2022 – Primordia](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/primordia-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YvWQi_5fsw)) – Metacritic scores on this one vary somewhat, ranging from low-70s to low-80s. However, the reaction of players is undeniably positive, with the Steam version of this “point and click”-style Graphic Advanture receiving an overwhelmingly positive 97% Steam user review score, with over 2400 user reviews. Players praised this game’s story, its voice acting, and its puzzles.
**[3/2/2022 – Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/zombie-rollerz-pinball-heroes/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4L59PQkKZA)) **Buzz Pick** – Reviews are already starting to trickle in on this one, and while there are not yet enough reviews on any one platform for a Metacritic score, pretty much all of the reviews so far have been positive, with critics praising this game’s unique combination of Pinball and Roguelike elements.
**[3/3/2022 – CATch the Stars](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/catch-the-stars-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1R1623k8pI)) – When this simple Puzzle game released on PC in 2020, it didn’t get enough reviews to get a Metacritic score, but players were delighted with it, with the game receiving a very positive 98% Steam user review score with over 200 reviews. Players enjoyed its well-crafted puzzles and calm aesthetic.
**[3/3/2022 – LIT: Bend the Light](https://www.gamespress.com/en-US/LIT-Bend-the-Light-is-coming-to-Nintendo-Switch-on-March-3-and-now-is-)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiutYZrpla4)) – Yet another Puzzle game released on PC in 2020 that didn’t get enough reviews to get a Metacritic score, but that players very much enjoyed, with the game receiving a very positive 93% Steam user review score with over 150 reviews. Players enjoyed its well-designed “use mirrors to reflect lasers”-style puzzles.
**[3/4/2022 – Dr. Oil](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/dr-oil-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVBse5l1bDY)) – This challenging platformer released on PC in 2021 but didn’t get enough reviews to get a Metacritic score. However, the few players that have gotten their hands on it have been positive, with this game getting a 94% positive user review score on Steam, with the main point of praise being the challenging platforming.
**[3/4/2022 – Ink Cipher](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/ink-cipher-switch/)** (No Trailer Found) – This Puzzle game released on PC in 2018 and got very little attention. However, the scant few who have played it thoroughly enjoyed it, giving the game a positive 92% Steam user score with just over 10 reviews, with users praising the game’s unique cryptography approach to crossword-style puzzles.
**[3/4/2022 – Triangle Strategy](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/triangle-strategy-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nhTJ-Evv_U)) – This highly-anticipated game combines the beautiful “HD 2D”-style visuals of Octopath Traveler with a completely different Tactics-Style Strategy-RPG gameplay evocative of Final Fantasy Tactics. If you’re still on the fence, know that the free demo for the game is available now, and the save will transfer over to the final release if you’re interested in continuing your play through.
**[3/10/2022 – .hack//G.U. Last Recode](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLQvS2IxDtY)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLQvS2IxDtY)) **Buzz Pick** – This remastered trilogy of classic PlayStation 2 RPGs was warmly received wen it released on the PlayStation 4… but less so on the PC. It’s not clear what the reaction will be like on the Nintendo Switch, but for JRPG fans this is one worth watching out for in any case.
**[3/10/2022 – Chocobo GP](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/chocobo-gp-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2bxEiFd5YU)) **Buzz Pick** – The first Chocobo Racing game on the original PlayStation received middling reviews, but hopefully the over two *decades* since its release have given Square Enix enough time to craft a solid Kart Racer in its sequel, especially with many Nintendo Switch players itching for a new entry in the genre now that it’s apparent we won’t be receiving a brand-new Mario Kart game for quite a while…
**[3/10/2022 – Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/grand-mountain-adventure-wonderlands-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=talyakohUsU)) – The original Grand Mountain Adventure was celebrated by critics when it released on mobile devices in 2019, and its follow-up coming to Switch and PC this year looks to be promising, offering the same sort of top-down skiing that made the original game a hit.
**[3/10/2022 – Move or Die: Unleashed](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/move-or-die-unleashed-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWyzt0XU2fI)) – When Move or Die released on other platforms in 2019, it received Metacritic scores in the low- to mid-80s. Critics praised this Action-Platformer Party Game for its fast-paced and frenetic gameplay.
**[3/10/2022 – Time Loader](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/time-loader-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0FQdWg4j7U)) – When this Puzzle-Platformer released on PC just a few months ago, it got a Metacritic score of 79, with critics praising the game’s physics-based puzzles. There’s little reason to think the Nintendo Switch version will fare any worse.
**[3/17/2022 – Dark Deity](https://www.gamespress.com/Dark-Deity-Tactically-Strikes-Nintendo-Switch-March-17)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PudpUHCfhI)) – Fans of Fire Emblem, take notice! This Strategy-RPG had critics positively comparing the game to the Fire Emblem franchise when it released on PC in 2021, giving it a Metacritic score of 80. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll absolutely want to keep your eyes on this one!
**[3/17/2022 – Persona 4 Arena Ultimax](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znZJLRW8v4w)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znZJLRW8v4w)) – Fans of the Persona series may get the feeling that the Nintendo Switch is just cursed at this point, getting multiple spin-off games based on the Persona franchise without getting any actual *proper* Persona games. However, while that situation may be disappointing, it is still nevertheless a *wonderful* thing that this Fighting game is getting a modern-day port, as the 2014 release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 got Metacritic scores in the mid-80s, with critics praising its great mechanics, fantastic sense of style, and its surprisingly good story… which sadly does kinda’ count on you having actually played Persona 4…
**[3/22/2022 – Rune Factory 5](https://mobile.twitter.com/XSEEDGames/status/1441177788514328587)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fHnucS–6E)) – The Rune Factory series has a solid track record, consistently getting Metacritic scores in the high-70s and low-80s. This new installment brings the franchise into 3D, while promising to deliver the same combination of Action-RPG and Stardew Valley-esque Farming RPG elements that the series is known for. The original Japanese launch of this game was noted for struggling with performance issues, but hopefully the year it took to bring this game to the West gave them adequate time to correct those problems.
**[3/22/2022 – Tempest 4000](https://mobile.twitter.com/XSEEDGames/status/1441177788514328587)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdejno9NJ4)) – This game released on multiple other platforms in 2018, getting solid Metacritic scores across the board in the mid-70s. Critics praised this sequel to the classic Arcade well-based shooter for being a compelling return to the score-chasing days of videogames’ past.
**[3/24/2022 – Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles](https://www.gamespress.com/Dive-into-Lumote-The-Mastermote-Chronicles-on-24-March-2022-on-Nintend)** ([Trailer](https://youtu.be/WVv5EG73ey8)) **Buzz Pick** – An earlier version of this game got some strong reviews on PC in 2020, but not enough for a Metacritic score. Oddly, this earlier version seems to have been removed from Steam, perhaps to make way for this revised version? In any case, this game has a beautiful, distinct art style, and critics praised its excellent Puzzles. Hopefully this new launch will give this game the big start its earlier release apparently failed to get?
**[3/25/2022 – Kirby and the Forgotten Land](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3LAkr0ANgw)) – I think it would be fair to say that this is possibly the most highly-anticipated game of March, with this not only being Kirby’s first foray into a fully-3D Platformer, but featuring the adorable new Mouthful mode and some intriguing new locales for Kirby to explore. Kirby games are almost always at least *good*, but many are anticipating that this could be the pink puffball’s best adventure ever.
**[3/29/2022 – WRC 10](https://twitter.com/wrcthegame/status/1483786324679274500?s=21)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKDh3RyVahk)) – One thing the Nintendo Switch can certainly use more of is good sim-style Racing games. The WRC’s track record lately hasn’t exactly been stellar in that regard. However, WRC 10 was highly-praised on the Xbox and PlayStation platforms, getting Metacritic scores ranging from the mid-70s to low-80s. So the source material here is clearly good. The only question is… can they get that quality to fit on Nintendo’s handheld?
**[Q1 2022 – Mini Motorways](https://www.gamespress.com/Mini-Motorways-Takes-Road-Trip-to-Steam-on-July-20-Nintendo-Switch-in-)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHX0CfcgOas)) – Mini Metro was highly celebrated by critics when it released on Switch in 2018, getting a Metacritic score of 86. When its follow-up released on mobile devices and PC in 2019 and 2021, it was similarly-praised, getting Metacritic scores in the low to high 80s. Now this sequel comes to Nintendo Switch, and fans of relaxing Puzzle games and Simulations have cause to celebrate… as long as it actually gets released in time, of course (still no concrete release date as of this writing).
**[Q1 2022 – Pronty: A Fishy Adventure](https://www.gamespress.com/en-US/Explore-the-depths-of-the-oceans-with-the-javelin-bearer-Pronty-and-un)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTlCqfyxGVQ)) – Critics largely overlooked this game when it released on PC a few months ago, but players have been ecstatic, with the game receiving an very positive 95% Steam user review score, with over 300 user reviews. Players praised this game’s take on a free-moving underwater Metroidvania.
**[Winter (Early) 2022 – Neon White](https://twitter.com/NeonWhiteDev/status/1471223770295721992)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNkb-yCDGoo)) **Buzz Pick** – This card-based First-Person Shooter seems like a massive departure from the creator of the odd Puzzle game Donut County, but given how celebrated that game was and how intriguing this looks, I’d be remiss not to include it here. However, I should note that this game has been delayed multiple times, so it’s unclear if it will be able to meet its (still vague) projected release date.
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Anyway, that’s what I could find for the month of March on the Nintendo Switch, but no doubt some of you have specific games you’ve got your eye on this next month as well. Please feel free to give a shout out to any game you feel deserves attention! 🙂