The Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2022

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 31, 2022

Which Nintendo Switch games impressed professional reviewers the most during the past year? We rank the best-reviewed Switch games released between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 by Metascore. Games must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion. (All scores listed here are from December 29, 2022.)

9 of 14 photo by Atari

89 Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration

(#5) A celebration of the history of one of the first gaming giants, this compilation includes more than 90 games originally released for the legendary Atari 2600 console and its successors (including the 5200, 7800, Jaguar, and Lynx). If that were all there was to Atari 50, it would be an interesting package—but that's definitely not all. Interactive timelines add trivia and new interviews with Atari developers, and the package also includes six brand new games made in the style of Atari classics—including a modern update of Breakout and the first-ever release of the legendary vaporware Swordquest: AirWorld, which was intended to complete the SwordQuest series in the mid-1980s but was canceled.

“Can a retro game compilation get by solely as an educational look into gaming history? Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration offers the most compelling evidence yet that yes, they can. The nice thing about this set is that it doesn’t have to get by on that alone. There is a nice mix of games here that is worth diving into. That being said, the outstanding walk through history is the most impressive and fascinating part of this endeavor, bringing new life into the games it talks about. An essential work for all fans of gaming history.” —TouchArcade

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