Switch Weekly - Your Festive Nintendo Update

That's a wrap on '21.

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Issue 262 — December 19, 2021

Hello, Chris here with issue #262 of Switch Weekly. Hope you're doing well. 😊

Nintendo gave us a little end of year treat by way of an Indie World presentation earlier this week — showing off a slew of new and upcoming games. I've linked it below if you haven't watched it yet. I'm pleased to see Chicory is on the platform now.

Last week I asked what your Switch highlights have been this year. I figured it will be neat to pull together what the Switch Weekly community enjoyed in 2021. Thanks so much to those who filled it in already, but if you haven't yet the form is still open. I'm hoping to pull some of the responses together and share here in the future. Looking ahead, (and just for fun), I'd also love to see your Nintendo predictions for 2022.

In the run up to Christmas there's only nine or so games hitting the eShop over the next week. Slim pickings, but it's kinda the norm for this time of year.

Stat time: Throughout 2021 I've sent you 48 issues, curating over 2,500 links, and sharing details on over 1,200 games — I hope you've found something interesting to read, share, or play along the way. I just want to extend a a huge thank you for reading this year.

If this email is of value, you can always get me a coffee (or festive tipple if you will), or support my work via Patreon.

Finally, the newsletter will be taking a break next week for the holidays, so I'll be back in your inbox on January 2nd. Season's greetings, however you celebrate (or not).

See you next year,
Chris ✌️

▶ Indie World Showcase - December 2021 —In this round-up of upcoming indie game we got a look at the retro-inspired RPG Sea of Stars, WayForward's beat-em-up sequel River City Girls 2, a release date for skateboarder OlliOlli World, the beautiful Chicory, and more. Eurogamer have a write up if you'd prefer - and no, still nothing on Silksong for those asking.

Nintendo // YouTube

REVIEW Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon — I've seen a lot of love for this during my internet travels this week, and this is another rather glowing take "something bigger and bolder than I anticipated. [..] just feels like an extension of the original game. [..] I didn’t think I’d see the day when someone did Wario’s Woods as a conceptual idea justice, but dang, they did it. Pocket Dungeon is incredible". Steve Watts at GameSpot calls it one of the best puzzlers in years - high praise.

Neal Ronaghan // Nintendo World Report

REVIEW Omno: An easygoing, pensive platformer with echoes of Journey

Roland Ingram // Nintendo Life

Five additional SEGA Genesis games are now available for Switch Online + Expansion Pack members — A nice little shadow drop surprise earlier this week, including Altered Beast and ToeJam & Earl.

Nintendo of America // Twitter

New Nintendo patent unveils more about Zelda: BOTW 2 gameplay

Karim Lahcene // GameReactor

Nintendo's 'year in review' site shows your most played games

Kevin Knezevic // CNET

I'm bored of Pokemon not having voice actors now
Stacey Henley // The Gamer

Are Nintendo's exclusives enough to win a next-gen handheld war?

Thomas Whitehead // Nintendo Life

▶ 'I made a tiny Nintendo Switch Christmas ornament' — You realy do need to tap through and see just how small this tree decoration is...mainly because it has a working screen. This a rad little DIY project. 👏

Scott Bezek // YouTube

The post-game content of Moon: A cold analysis — This legendary anti-RPG arrived on Switch last year, and following playing it the author shares a "collection of essays about love, nausea, death, work and love".

Calvin Perry // Medium

🎮 Upcoming Releases

All releases are digital, Europe & U.S. unless otherwise stated.
Release data sourced in collaboration with Switch Scores.
⭐️ = Ones to Watch | 📦 = Physical release | 🎮 = Demo available

Monday, December 20

Carebotz — A twin-stick space shooter game with metroidvania elements.

Wednesday, December 22

Gardener's Path — A top-down 2D puzzle adventure with a nature theme.

Thursday, December 23

Lynn, the Girl Drawn on Puzzles — Puzzle game with a handrawn artstyle. (EU release date)
Teratopia — Rid the land of 'evil invaders' in this 3D action brawler. M for mature.
Tunnel of Doom — Escape the mine in this action rogue-lite hybrid set in 1903 - mixes tower-defense with melee and ranged combat.

Friday, December 24

8 & 9 Ball Pocket — American billiards with local multiplayer and online ranking.
American Man — Basic arcade action game.
Merry Christmas Snowball Bubble — Puzzle game, sporting a festive theme.

Saturday, December 25

Planet Quiz: Learn & Discover — Trivia on all things Earth, such as cities, countries, animals, architecture, food, and more. For up to four players.

⚡️ Quick Links:

Metroid Dread has been crowned Time's Game of the Year for 2021.
A new Picross game from Jupiter (S7) is launching real soon, complete with touchscreen support.
There's another new trailer for Pokemon Legends Arceus, showing off clans.
Nintendo could be set for a strong software line-up in 2022, according to a senior industry commentator.
Chocobo GP, that Final Fantasy kart racer, is dated. Will arrive on Switch in March.
Agent Intercept is a spy racing game coming to Switch early next year.
Could some Klonoa re-releases or remakes be on the way?
Know someone getting a Switch? Here's a list of free-to-play titles to get em started.
After around eight years, Nintendo's Kit and Krysta are saying goodbye as the YouTube show 'Nintendo Minute' comes to an end.
Come for the Pokemon BD 17-min speedrun, stay for the ham sandwich analogy...
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water now has English voice acting and subs. #AD
Cruis’n Blast’s creator wants to bring the original trilogy to Switch Online or remake it.
Map fans, here's a neat visual of Breath of the Wild's Hyrule.

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PC, CapnGoat, SB, FrozenTrout, JR, MindFad, Greg, Michael Fairley, Chris D, and others — why not join them?

Curated by Chris Brandrick | Support Switch Weekly on Patreon

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Switch Weekly - Your Festive Nintendo Update

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