I occasionally see people respond to my weekly [Upcoming Releases](https://old.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/tp2dku/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!
**[4/1/2022 – Super Cyborg](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/super-cyborg-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHxJRPVyi94)) – Super Cyborg didn’t get noticed by critics when it released on PC in 2015, but players were enthusiastic about it, with the game getting a very positive Steam user review score of 88% from over 400 players. This is a game that is clearly directly inspired by the Contra series of Action-Platformers, with virtually every review of the game positively comparing this game to Konami’s classic franchise.
**[4/5/2022 – Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRHlJ3WwzDc)) – This long-awaited (and much-delayed) sequel in the Lego Star Wars series hopes to shake up the complaints about the series’ “samey” feel while retaining the series’ family-friendly vibe and mass-market appeal. Either way, it will be the first Lego Star Wars game on Nintendo Switch, and that alone deserves attention.
**[4/5/2022 – MLB The Show 22](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/mlb-the-show-22-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2BCgpVwZ1Q)) – Yes, that’s right. The Nintendo Switch has received games developed by Microsoft-owned studios, and now it receives its first Sony-developed game, the latest in Sony’s highly-celebrated and critically-lauded baseball franchise. Will it still look and play well on Nintendo’s less-powerful hardware? We’ll soon find out!
**[4/7/2022 – Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/chrono-cross-the-radical-dreamers-edition-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxekztcXS8s)) – Chrono Trigger is often lauded as possibly the greatest JRPG of all-time. Its sequel, Chrono Cross, is… not quite as fondly-remembered, but still a great JRPG, with its original PlayStation release getting an incredibly good score of 94 on Metacritic. This re-release of the game will not only update the visuals somewhat, but also mark the first release outside of Japan of Radical Dreamers, a Visual Novel that served as the basis for the story of Chrono Cross, and which was previously only playable on the Japan-only Satellaview expansion for the Super Famicom. While this may not be the port of Chrono Trigger that fans have been begging for, it is nevertheless a welcome release on Nintendo Switch, and one that RPG fans should absolutely keep an eye out for.
**[4/7/2022 – Happy’s Humble Burger Farm](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/happys-humble-burger-farm-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DOUafrUUog)) – Critics largely missed this game when it was released on PC in 2020, but players were ecstatic, giving the game a very positive 93% Steam user score with over 500 user reviews. This game combines one part fast food Simulation and one part Horror game, with strong Five Nights at Freddy’s vibes. If you’re looking for a new Horror game to play on your Nintendo Switch, this might be one to watch for.
**[4/7/2022 – Slipstream](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/slipstream-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzvQOy3hUB0)) – Another one that critics overlooked and fans raved about, giving this game a very positive 90% user review score with over 600 players chiming in. Slipstream evokes classic arcade racing games like Out Run, with players praising this game’s old-school style and gameplay.
**[4/7/2022 – The House of the Dead: Remake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBrjzCvbVkU)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBrjzCvbVkU)) **Buzz Pick** – The House of the Dead is a classic arcade light gun shooter… being released on a game platform without a light gun. Will the Joy-Cons’ gyroscopic motion control work well for this game as an adequate substitute? Has the game aged well? Will this port retain all of the classic cheesiness this franchise is known for? There are plenty of gamers eager for the answers to these questions, and I suppose we’ll finally find out as this much-delayed game seems to finally be releasing in a few weeks…
**[4/7/2022 – The Last Friend](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/the-last-friend-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIhzT4r_st0)) – This game released on PC in September, getting some absolutely glowing reviews resulting in a Metacritic score of 86. This game mixes an Arcade-style Brawler with Tower Defense elements, with critics praising the excellent gameplay and loads of charm as you fight to defend your puppers.
**[4/8/2022 – Astrodogs](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/astrodogs-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFB_V0Srd8o)) – This one slipped under most peoples’ radar when it released in 2021, but the few players who have gotten their hands on it are unified in their praise, giving the game a positive 90% user review score on Steam, with pretty much all of them describing this as a wackier, more colorful alternative to Star Fox. And given that Nintendo Switch owners are *still* waiting for a proper Star Fox game, hopefully this will be a good alternative.
**[4/12/2022 – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/13-sentinels-aegis-rim-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3nluoZBa0M)) – This mech RPG from the makers of Odin’s Sphere and Dragon’s Crown was celebrated by critics when it released on PlayStation 4 in 2020, giving it a Metacritic score of 85 and praising how this game balances its story and unique strategic RPG elements. This may very well be the biggest game releasing in April that no one is talking about.
**[4/14/2022 – Gotta Protectors: Cart of Darkness](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/gotta-protectors-cart-of-darkness-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cenevrURCrM)) – The original Gotta Protectors thrilled critics when it released on Nintendo 3DS in 2016, who gave the game an outstanding 87 Metacritic score and praised it as a delightfully silly Tower Defense game with retro-style charm. Now its sequel looks to take things up a notch on Nintendo Switch.
**[4/14/2022 – Tormented Souls](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/tormented-souls-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnUyg5gNkrg)) – When this game released on other platforms last year, it got Metacritic scores ranging from the low-70s to the high-70s, with critics praising this as a return to classic-style Survival Horror gameplay. It seems like Horror fans on Nintendo Switch will have some good options to choose from this month!
**[4/15/2022 – Taito Milestones](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/taito-milestones-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khwMn-JH51o)) **Buzz Pick** – Many of the titles in this compilation of 10 classic games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras are already available on Nintendo Switch in other places, such as the Arcade Archives series. However, this package makes for a convenient way to pick them all up in one place. While it’s missing some noteworthy Taito games like Bubble Bobble and Bust-A-Move (AKA Puzzle Bobble), it features other classics like Qix, Elevator Action, and The Ninja Warriors. If you’re a fan of classic gaming, this collection may be worth your while.
**[4/21/2022 – Ganryu 2 – Hakuma Kojiro](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/ganryu-2-hakuma-kojiro-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNyWyBd5gos)) – With an average career Metacritic score of 76, developer Storybird is building a solid reputation for itself, and the upcoming Ganryu 2 is combining two genres the developer tends to do well – Action-Platformers and Shmups. Hopefully this proves to be a winning combination.
**[4/21/2022 – 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? This game was previously scheduled for release in March, but that release got delayed to April.
**[4/21/2022 – Revita](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/revita-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb-bdWPY_uU)) – Those who jumped into this game in early access on PC are raving about it, giving it a very positive 92% Steam user review score with over 250 reviews. Players are praising this game’s combination of 2-Stick Action-Platformer gameplay with Roguelike elements, its art style, and its fast-paced compelling gameplay.
**[4/26/2022 – Zombie Army 4: Dead War](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/zombie-army-4-dead-war-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE6T2rbg-Dg)) – I almost didn’t include this one until u/Ninevolts pointed out my error. This game received Metacritic scores ranging from the low-70s to high-70s when it released on other platforms in 2019 and 2020, with critics praising this Third-Person Shooter’s visuals and fun action.
**[4/28/2022 – Marco & the Galaxy Dragon](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/marco-and-the-galaxy-dragon-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX-_M1W6UkU)) – These lists wouldn’t be complete without at least one Visual Novel, I suppose? Marco & the Galaxy Dragon got overlooked by critics when it released in 2020, but players absolutely *loved* it, with the game getting an overwhelmingly positive 98% user review score on Steam, with over 3700 user reviews. Combining traditional anime art with more whimsical cartoon-style animation, Marco & the Galaxy Dragon has players raving about its unique art style, it’s great plot, and its sense of humor. If you’re a fan of this genre, this game is apparently a must-have.
**[4/28/2022 – Transiruby](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/transiruby-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDX4Q0qypkY)) – Here’s another game that critics missed and fans loved, giving the game a very positive Steam user review score with just under 100 reviews. Players praised this pixel art Metroidvania for its art style and its accessibility.
**[4/29/2022 – Nintendo Switch Sports](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/nintendo-switch-sports-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ16-1YIRAc)) – I think it’s probably reasonable to say that this is the most highly-anticipated game of April 2022… by a wide margin, at that. This long-awaited successor to Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and Wii Sports Club aims to bring a combination of new and old sports, with the game including the simple, accessible versions of tennis, bowling, and chambara (sword fighting) from previous entries in the series (expanded here to include improved visuals and new features), along with three sports that are new to the series: soccer, volleyball, and badminton. The original Wii Sports game golf is also set to make a return in free post-launch DLC. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers already got their first taste of the game in an online stress test a short while ago, and the buzz for this game seems to be building as it heads into launch. Hopefully it meets everyone’s expectations!
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Anyway, that’s what I could find for the month of April 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! 🙂