I occasionally see people respond to my weekly [Upcoming Releases](https://old.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/ufdbtl/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, 85% 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!
**[5/4/2022 – Slap the Rocks](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/slap-the-rocks-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34XBndfPVNY)) – This game got skipped by critics when it released on PC in 2021, but players are pleased with it (the Steam user review score is 87% positive with over 30 player reviews so far)… and it’s easy to see why they’re satisfied. Oh, not because it looks like the most brilliant game ever, but because two seconds of watching this game’s gameplay and you should know exactly what you’re in for – this is one of those character-based block-sliding Puzzle games. There are only 30 levels, but it’s only a $5 game, so if you’re looking for a bite-sized Puzzle game, this may interest you.
**[5/5/2022 – Rifftrax: The Game](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/rifftrax-the-game-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot1Ejm3wLsM)) – Critics absolutely loved developer Wide Right Interactive’s previous take on a funny, “dub over video clips” Party game, What the Dub. The game got Metacritic scores in the high-70s and low-80s. But they may be hoping that taking on the more well-known Rifftrax license may garner them better sales this time around. This one’s a pretty safe bet – it’s a pairing of a winning formula and a winning license. If you’re craving a great casual Party game, keep your eyes out for this.
**[5/10/2022 – Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2: Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed and Rebound / ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/prinny-presents-nis-classics-volume-2-makai-kingdom-reclaimed-and-rebound-zhp-unlosing-ranger-vs-darkdeath-evilman-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKBBIeFVPS0)) – Nippon Ichi Software continues to bring over their back-catalog of classic games to modern platforms, and fans of Strategy-RPGs should continue rejoicing. Makai Kingdom got a Metacritic score of 77 when it released on PlayStation 2 all the way back in 2005, and Z.H.P. Got a Metacritic score of 81 when it released on the PlayStation Portable in 2010. Both offer different takes on the Tactics-style Strategy-RPG formula.
**[5/11/2022 – Source of Madness](https://www.gamespress.com/Source-of-Madness-launches-on-PC-PlayStation-Xbox-and-Nintendo-Switch-)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj5Jju_yYZ0)) – This game has not released yet, but already players who got the game in early access on Steam are delighted with it, giving the game a very positive 89% user review score with over 250 reviews. This side-scrolling Action-Platformer Roguelike has fans praising the Lovecraftian theme, the visuals, and the deep and challenging mechanics.
**[5/12/2022 – Attentat 1942](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/attentat-1942-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M9UK89K93M)) – When this game came out in 2017 on PC, it received a Metacritic score of 75. Critics praised it as a gripping look at the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia from the perspective of that country’s citizenry, exploring this dark time via different mediums, including interviews with survivors.
**[5/12/2022 – Cloud Gardens](https://www.gamespress.com/Cloud-Gardens-Plants-Its-Roots-On-Nintendo-Switch-On-May-12th)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy3CnZrG0nM)) – Developer Noio is probably best known for the critically-acclaimed Kingdom: New Lands/Two Crowns series, but this is something else entirely. This is a Puzzle game that has you transforming post-apocalyptic dioramas by adding lush green overgrown plant life among the junk. Critics overlooked this one when it came to PC in 2021, but players loved it, giving the game an overwhelmingly positive 96% user review score on Steam with over 1400 users weighing in. They all seem pretty unanimous about this game’s appeal, too – the words “relaxing”, “calming”, “simple”, and “beautiful” repeatedly come up in those reviews. Keep your eyes on this one – it may be the sleeper of the month.
**[5/12/2022 – Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/get-a-grip-chip-and-the-body-bugs-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riK3cgokneI)) – When the original Get-A-Grip Chip came to Nintendo Switch in 2021, it got a Metacritic score of 78, with critics praising the game for its fun hook-based Platforming, and there’s little reason to think this sequel will be any less engaging.
**[5/12/2022 – Vesper: Zero Light Edition](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/vesper-zero-light-edition-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC5fKXZ5Cso)) – When Vesper released on PC last year, it got a Metacritic score of 75, with critics praising the Puzzle-Platformer for its visual style and its fascinating world to explore.
**[5/13/2022 – Hyper Echelon](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hyper-echelon-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLrNb7xh2jA)) – Another PC release in 2021 that critics overlooked, but players on Steam gave this Shmup a positive user review score of 91% with over 20 reviews. Players have compared this game positively to the Sky Force series, as well as Raptor: Call of the Shadows, with gameplay that lets you gradually upgrade your ship over time by grinding. If that appeals to you, give this one a look!
**[5/15/2022 – Figment 2: Creed Valley](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/figment-2-creed-valley-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWkF4C2T8Vc)) – The original Figment got a Metacritic score of 75, and its sequel continues the imaginative story set within a youth’s subconscious that has the player once again taking up the role of Dusty as he fights inner demons and solves puzzles in an abstract world within the mind. If you fancy top-down Puzzle games with a little action and some musical elements, you should definitely try the original Figment, and the sequel seems very much cut from the same cloth.
**[5/19/2022 – There Will Be No Turkey This Christmas](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/there-will-be-no-turkey-this-christmas-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36j_mg4vO14)) – Yeah, I know. With a title like that I wasn’t expecting much either, and clearly neither were critics, who skipped this one when it came out on PC late last year. But players thus far have been delighted with it – the game currently has a 95% positive user review score on Steam with over 20 reviews. If you like the sound of a fun, simple, and silly pixel art Stealth game for a measly $3, this game might tickle your fancy.
**[5/27/2022 – Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/arcade-spirits-the-new-challengers-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMSRZPI2HoQ)) – When the original Arcade Spirits came to Nintendo Switch in 2020, it got a Metacritic score of 75, with critics praising the Visual Novel for its delightful characters and fun premise about an alternate reality where arcades still reign supreme, with the story following the arcade’s newest employee. This sequel’s story focuses on an aspiring eSports star. Visual Novel fans with classic videogame nostalgia will no doubt be overjoyed to return to this franchise.
**[5/27/2022 – Clan O’Conall and the Crown of the Stag](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/clan-oconall-and-the-crown-of-the-stag-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9GgXOKQYdQ)) – When this Celtic-inspired Puzzle-Platformer released on PC in 2021, it got a Metacritic score of 78, with critics praising its visual style, its fun gameplay, and its character-swapping system.
**[5/27/2022 – Senren * Banka](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/senren-banka-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4FEIn-g-AU)) – When this Visual Novel released on PC in 2020, critics overlooked it, but fans of the genre fell in love with it – the game has an overwhelmingly positive 99% user review score on Steam with over 7900 reviews. This game tells the story of a young man who heads to a remote Japanese tourist trap village, inadvertently breaks a beloved monument, and is told he must atone for his transgression… how else? … by marrying the village shrine maiden. It may not sound like much, but players are absolutely falling over themselves to praise this game’s art, music, characters, humor, and story. Suffice it to say, if you’re a Visual Novel fan, this should probably be one of your most anticipated releases of the year.
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Anyway, that’s what I could find for the month of May 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! 🙂