I occasionally see people respond to my weekly [Upcoming Releases](https://old.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/rp05ng/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!
**[1/3/2022 – Crumble](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/crumble-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_oZo8EX3e8)) – Critics overlooked this physics-based 3D Platformer when it released on PC in 2020, but players were delighted, with the game having a very positive 92% Steam user score with over 350 user reviews. Players praised the feeling of speed and the movement physics of this game, which has you alternately rolling your ball-like character and swinging using a grappling-like tongue.
**[1/5/2022 – Arcadia Fallen](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/arcadia-fallen-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzDtg7LXTWA)) – This game got a Metacritic score of 76 when it released on PC just last month. Critics praise this fantasy Visual Novel for giving players plenty of choice in shaping their story.
**[1/13/2022 – Headland](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/headland-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV01rsOG1cA)) – Headland comes from developer Northplay ApS, who has forged an absolutely stellar reputation on the Nintendo Switch with its prior two games, Conduct Together! And Fly Together!. However, Headland is different than the multiplayer-focused Party Games this developer has become known for. Originally released on iOS in 2020, this game is a Top-Down Action-RPG that vaguely resembles classic Zelda-style games, and which critics found to be a charming simple take on the genre on iOS. Hopefully it makes a good transition to Nintendo Switch!
**[1/13/2022 – 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.
**[1/18/2022 – Drowning Cross](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/drowning-cross-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFfsM70Lozk)) – Critics didn’t take notice when this short “point-and-click”-style Graphic Adventure released on PC in 2019, but players thoroughly enjoyed it, giving it a very positive 90% Steam user score with over 150 user reviews. Players praised the visuals, soundtrack, and story. If you want to try it out, the PC version of the game is free (the Nintendo Switch version will sell for $1).
**[1/18/2022 – Labyrinth Legend](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/labyrinth-legend-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXDNpAQoGSM)) – Another game critics didn’t notice when this Top-Down Action-RPG released on PC in 2020, but players who tried it were generally positive, with a positive 92% user review score with just over 25 reviews. Players praised this game’s simple, action-focused gameplay.
**[1/19/2022 – Vivid Knight](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/vivid-knight-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3kZOZU7ZBQ)) – When this Roguelike Dungeon Crawler released in May of this year, it didn’t get enough reviews to get a Metacritic score, but players were overjoyed with it, giving the game a very positive 92% user review score with over 1100 reviews. This game’s focus is on collecting party members and building up your forces as you explore dungeons, and players praised the unique game mechanics and “easy to learn, tough to master” gameplay.
**[1/20/2022 – Windjammers 2](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/windjammers-2-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zinnf4on3QM)) – Developer Dotemu has a solid reputation, with an excellent 79 average career score on Metacritic, and one of the areas where it shines the most brightly is when it takes a beloved gaming classic and crafts a new experience based on it – these are the folks that created the phenomenal Streets of Rage 4. Now they look to follow up that masterpiece with a sequel to the cult classic Windjammers, an Arcade-style competitive disc golf game (take Pong and replace the paddles with players and ball with a Frisbee and you have an idea). This game has been delayed multiple times over the last year or so, but now it seems to have a firm release date, so fans will finally have a chance to get their hands on this game soon.
**[1/27/2022 – Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDJBtY6atrA)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDJBtY6atrA)) – The Gunvolt series has consistently delivered outstanding Action-Platformer gameplay over the years (somewhat comparable to the Mega Man franchise), and the first Luminous Avenger iX got a Metacritic score of 81 on the Nintendo Switch. If you’re craving a great new Action game, this is a pretty safe bet for you.
**[1/27/2022 – Unforeseen Incidents](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/unforeseen-incidents-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58azjCIpQeE)) – When this Graphic Adventure originally released on PC in 2018, it received glowing praise from critics, who gave the game a Metacritic score of 80, praising its story, characters, art style, and overall originality.
**[1/28/2022 – Pokemon Legends Arceus](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/pokemon-legends-arceus-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEHUANP-vo)) – This post will undoubtedly receive multiple responses from people saying “the only good thing this month is Arceus”, completely missing the point. However, while Pokemon Legends Arceus is clearly stealing much of the spotlight for the month of January, it’s for good reason – not only are Pokemon games consistently well-reviewed, but Arceus promises to evolve the series in ways fans have been clamoring for Pokemon games to do for *years*, allowing players to explore a more open(-ish) world set many years before the events of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (but taking place in the same general area). Will this game live up to the hype? That’s hard to say. But in any case, there are going to be *many* people watching this game anxiously in January.
**[1/28/2022 – Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth](https://playism.com/en/news/2021/1210/1349/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykv4VeGdW_8)) – Advance reviews are already trickling out for this one, and they’re mostly positive, averaging around the mid-70s. This is a Metroidvania that is *clearly* pretty directly inspired by Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, featuring the titular Deedlit of the beloved Lodoss War franchise. Critics seem to be saying that the game is a tad on the short side, but the game features quality gameplay in line with the game it’s copying.
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Anyway, that’s what I could find for the month of January 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! 🙂