I occasionally see people respond to my weekly [Upcoming Releases](https://old.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/wdma0d/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!
**[8/3/2022 – South of the Circle](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/south-of-the-circle-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk5VoKBZ5xw)) – This is kinda’ cheating, because early reviews are already starting to trickle in for this game, with the PC version already sitting at a Metacritic score in the low-80s. However, the first release of this game was on Apple Arcade in 2020, and that had a Metacritic score in the low-to-mid 80s, so that’s both a strong indication this game should run well on Nintendo Switch *and* a reference prior to the current release I can point to. In any case, critics praised this game for its outstanding emotional story about a survivor of an air crash in Antarctica.
**[8/4/2022 – Hindsight](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/hindsight-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIa8iGppp94)) – The creator of Hindsight, Joel McDonald, has only one prior credit, 2015’s iOS release Prune, but it is a highly-celebrated game, getting a 92 Metacritic score. With any luck we’ll see the same level of quality in this follow-up, a game dubbing itself as a “Narrative Adventure Game” where players will explore a woman’s life though her personal belongings. I… don’t really know what that means, but it certainly sounds interesting.
**[8/5/2022 – Roll the Cat](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/roll-the-cat-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR5wQi7SPZo)) – This “Sokoban”-style block-pushing (well, cat-pushing) Puzzle game was overlooked by critics when it was first released on PC, but players were delighted by it, giving the game a 95% positive user review score on Steam with over 40 reviews. This game isn’t likely to set the world on fire, but if you’re looking for a cute little Puzzle game to add to your collection, this may be worth a look.
**[8/5/2022 – Toy Soldiers HD](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/toy-soldiers-hd-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr8BFd7GTzw)) – The Toy Soldiers franchise has declined in popularity and critical scores since its initial release on Xbox 360 all the way back in 2010. However, developer Signal Studios hopes to recapture the magic of that initial release with this remaster that brings that game to modern platforms with improved visuals, all while retaining the combination of Action and Strategy elements that players loved in the first place.
**[8/11/2022 – Cult of the Lamb](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/cult-of-the-lamb-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yplh1d-whOc)) – Developer Massive Monster has a very good track record on Nintendo Switch, with The Adventure Pals and Never Give Up both getting Metacritic scores in the mid-to-high 70s. Cult of the Lamb promises to be something quite different though, combining base-building and combat elements with players fostering their own cult looking to dominate a land.
**[8/12/2022 – Sakura MMO](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/sakura-mmo-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npM7tmDln9M)) – This game didn’t get enough critic reviews to get a Metacritic score when it released on PC in 2018, but players thoroughly enjoyed it, with the game getting a very positive 87% user review score with nearly 200 reviews. This game, which is *NOT* an MMO, is in fact a Visual Novel game *about* an MMO player who finds herself pulled into the world of her beloved game. Players praised this game for its art, story, and… er, fanservice. Yeah, it’s one of *those* sorts of games.
**[8/16/2022 – Blossom Tales II: The Minotaur Prince](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/blossom-tales-ii-the-minotaur-prince-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhgKc7OHclo)) – The original Blossom Tales is still celebrated to this day by fans as one of the best takes on the classic 2D Zelda formula on Nintendo Switch, and critics agree, giving the game a Metacritic score of 80. This sequel looks to build on that success with a worthwhile follow-up.
**[8/16/2022 – Two Point Campus](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/two-point-campus-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu5i6La9eD8)) – This game’s predecessor, Two Point Hospital, was praised by critics as a phenomenal modern take on the classic Management Simulation game Theme Hospital, with that game getting Metacritic scores in the mid-80s. This game looks to do much the same, but with a decidedly less-medical and more-scholastic theme.
**[8/17/2022 – Hell Blasters](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hell-blasters-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrKJKOhN4XY)) **Buzz Pick** – This Bullet Hell Shmup went largely overlooked when it released on PC in 2021, but the select few who played the game are unified in their praise, giving the game a 100% positive user review score with… er, only 10 reviews so far. Yeah, thus the “Buzz Pick” descriptor. Players praise this game for its fun gameplay and mechanics.
**[8/18/2022 – RPG Time: The Legend of Wright](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/rpg-time-the-legend-of-wright-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4B0IY-gPKM)) – When this game launched earlier this year on Xbox Series S/X, it got a Metacritic score of 79, with critics praising how highly unique and original this game is in its inspired approach to its RPG theme and gameplay.
**[8/23/2022 – Yars: Recharged](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/yars-recharged-switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nae3tQy08IA)) **Buzz Pick** – Adamvision Studios’ reimagined versions of classic Atari games has been somewhat hit or miss so far, but the latest game in the series is based on a classic, Yars’ Revenge, that’s generally considered to be one of the better games of the Atari era. Hopefully this translates into a great game in *this* era.
**[8/25/2022 – I Was a Teenage Exocolonist](https://www.gamespress.com/I-Was-A-Teenage-Exocolonist-announced-for-Nintendo-Switch)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srm1klD8H3g)) – Developer Northway Games has a solid track record on Metacritic, with a Metacritic score of 79. Their newest game calls itself a “looping narrative RPG” and features a gorgeous art style. Hopefully these are all ingredients for an excellent game.
**[8/25/2022 – SD Gundam Battle Alliance](https://www.gamespress.com/SD-GUNDAM-BATTLE-ALLIANCE-COMING-TO-CONSOLES-AND-PC-ON-AUGUST-25-WITH-)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxIJiRg9h0I)) **Buzz Pick** – While Gundam games are hit or miss, this “SD” entry in the franchise featuring short, cutesey versions of the series’ mechs is certainly… interesting, at least. Will it be *good*, though? That remains to be seen…
**[8/26/2022 – Pac-Man World Re-Pac](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/pac-man-world-re-pac-switch/)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m88oPZTx7rI)) – I don’t know how many people in 2022 were clamoring for a remake of the 1999 game Pac-Man World, first released on the original PlayStation, but… well, we’re getting one. To its credit, this 3D Platformer got a GameRankings score of 81% when it first released. Hopefully it has aged well and the remake does a good job bringing it into the modern era.
**[8/30/2022 – Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 3: La Pucelle: Ragnarok / Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure]( https://www.gamespress.com/La-Pucelle-Ragnarok-Spotlight-Trailer-Release-Date-Announc-NIS-America)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM4AdaNlw6c)) **Buzz Pick** – NIS continues their effort to bring to Nintendo Switch seemingly their entire back-catalog of games with yet another pair of classic Strategy-RPG titles, both predating their flagship Disgaea franchise. La Pucelle got a Metacritic score of 79 when it first released on PlayStation 2 in 2004, but Rhapsody fared notably worse, getting a 68% Gamerankings score in its initial PlayStation release, and a 67% Metacritic score in its Nintendo DS re-release. Hopefully, these two games are still reasonably cleaned-up for this modern release, and with any luck packaging them together may still make for a good value, at least for Strategy-RPG fans.
**[8/30/2022 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR3ZE5vFi7c)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR3ZE5vFi7c)) – The last few remakes and collections may have prompted the question “who was asking for this?”, but I think it’s fair to say that quite a *lot* of people are clamoring to get their hands on this collection of classic games, especially after June’s excellent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge was clearly inspired by some of the games in this package, with the original Ninja Turtles arcade game and its follow-up Turtles in Time both cited as two of the best Arcade-style Brawler games ever made. This package has both of those games and a whole lot more, and should make an excellent companion piece to Shredder’s Revenge when it releases late this month.
**[8/30/2022 – Tinykin](https://www.gamespress.com/Explore-the-miniature-world-of-Tinykin-this-August-30th-on-consoles-an)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSV_GYklDOQ)) – Developer Splashteam made a name for itself with their previous game, Splasher, a 2D Platformer that got Metacritic scores in the high-70s and low-80s. Their follow-up is a 3D Platformer with elements that may remind players of Nintendo’s Pikmin series. This is definitely a combination of elements that makes Tinykin a game to keep your eyes out for.
**[“Within Six Months of” February 4, 2022 – Dying Light 2: Stay Human – Cloud Version](https://www.gamespress.com/Dying-Light-2-Stay-Human—Nintendo-Switch-Cloud-Version-Release-Date-)** ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2L-vxhDstk)) – Time is quickly running out for this game’s projected release window, and as each day passes it seems increasingly likely that it will miss this release date. However, until then, I include it here because Dying Light 2 was well-received on other platforms, getting Metacritic scores in the mid-to-high 70s. Of course, those words “Cloud Version” automatically mean that your mileage may vary on the Nintendo Switch release of the game, but hopefully this proves to be one of the better uses of that technology and not a repeat of the Kingdom Hearts disappointment…
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Anyway, that’s what I could find for the month of August 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! 🙂