December is traditionally a slower month for new video game releases, as publishers concentrate major launches in the fall to capitalize on holiday shopping. However, 2022 closed out with several noteworthy Switch eShop additions spanning beloved franchises, indie darlings, and more. Let‘s explore these 11 December gems offering experiences for all types of Switch gamers.
Overview of December‘s Diverse Switch Lineup
Compared to blockbuster-packed September through November, December unsurprisingly saw fewer high-profile Switch releases. However, the month delivered new entries from major franchises like Mario Kart and Dragon Quest alongside unique indie adventures.
Nintendo kept Mario Kart 8 Deluxe momentum going with the Booster Course Pass Wave 3. Square Enix revisited Final Fantasy VII lore in an enhanced Crisis Core port. Treasure hunting spun off from Dragon Quest. Several indie titles boasted charming pixel art or paper aesthetics. And horror made a rare appearance via the creepy card battler Inscryption.
While not packing AAA clout, these 11 December games reflect the variety and creativity that makes the Switch library special. Let‘s meet our new friends!
Dragon Quest Treasures – RPG Spinoff Great for All Ages
Part of Square Enix‘s massively popular, decades-old JRPG franchise, Dragon Quest Treasures shifts genre focus to treasure-hunting action/adventure. As siblings Erik and Mia, you now scout vast islands for loot with help from recruited monsters using their unique talents. Familiar Dragon Quest charm and accessibility power this family-friendly expedition.
Treasures resembles main series entries with colorful 3D anime visuals and cheery tunes but streamlines combat and customization. Accessible questing provides relaxing engagement perfect to play handheld while traveling over the holidays. And who wouldn‘t want to assemble monster squads like a Slime, Great Sabrecub, and Tockles? Treasures will delight Dragon Quest fans and role-playing novices alike with its inviting world.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Revamps PSP Classic
Longtime Final Fantasy devotees should appreciate Square Enix sprucing up 2007 Crisis Core‘s story of Zack Fair, who fans briefly met in the original PlayStation Final Fantasy VII. This enhanced port features HD graphics, improved gameplay, and full voice acting to better realize one of the most celebrated FF narratives.
RPG elements like leveling up and equipping items return but with welcome quality-of-life upgrades. However, the flashy action combat remains the main draw. As super soldier Zack, players slash and blast through hordes of enemies while unleashing spectacular Limit Break moves in gorgeous cinematics. Revisiting Crisis Core offers closure for Zack‘s arc while whetting appetites for FF7 Remake‘s continuation.
Kukoos: Lost Pets Delivers Whimsical 3D Platforming
Indie outfit Something Classic adopted inspirations ranging from Banjo-Kazooie collectathons to Pixar movies when crafting their adorable quest starring the titular Kukoos creatures. Vibrant, diorama-like environments bursting with charm await paired with accessible gameplay perfect for younger gamers.
But Kukoos‘ simple run and jump platforming challenges shouldn‘t deter older players either. Pleasant worldbuilding introduces memorable characters like the cast of recruitable pets. Charming writing and full voice acting drive the surprisingly poignant story touching on themes like animal cruelty and nature conservation. And puzzles stay creative enough thanks to using each pet‘s unique abilities. This overlooked December Switch gem overflows with heart.
Wavetale Surfs to the Switch on Oceanic Fantasy
Previously available on Stadia and Game Pass, Wavetale beautifully splashes onto the Switch, enhancing the portable platform‘s ability library. As orphan Sigrid who magically learns to soar over waves, players explore a spectacular aquatic kingdom taking on 2D backdrops but with 3D movement.
Lush areas requiring trickier traversal and lockpicking caverns constantly impress while relaxing orchestral queues underscore the watercolor artistry. But light combat and puzzle encounters provide steady engagement too. Special shoutouts to leveraging momentum upon flowing surfaces and especially revisiting levels from new perspectives. Wavetale‘s dazzling seaside adventure lives up to developers‘ Out of the Blue name.
Chained Echoes Delivers Retro RPG Goodness
Drawing heavy inspiration from 16-bit glories like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, Swiss developer Matthias Lindner translated childhood obsessions into passion project Chained Echoes. He achieves his mission of crafting a classic SNES-style RPG but one still polished with modern ideas.
While pixelated art and MIDI tunes pander to nostalgia, the adventure design dedicates itself first to being an enjoyable role-playing experience. Epic story beats drive players forward more than innovation, but the trio of initially selectable heroes boosts replay value and battling intelligently challenges without punishment. Thanks to masterfully capturing that retro feeling, Chained Echoes esteems classics preceding it while still finding its own formidable identity.
Samurai Maiden Has Hack and Slash Fun in Feudal Japan
COVID-19 initially postponed English launches for victims that included this PS4 sword-swinging adventure from D3 Publisher. Samurai Maiden finally arrives on Switch letting players assume the role of high schooler Anna who travels back to Sengoku-era Japan and becomes embroiled in its warring states conflict.
This fish-out-of-water premise serves as springboard into Dynasty Warriors-inspired massacring of enemy armies using each maiden‘s unique combo-driven movesets. Those desiring deeper action systems may bemoan the repetitive light attacks and lock-on usage. However, comfortingly reliable hack ‘n‘ slash foundations should sufficiently entertain history and anime buffs alike. Samurai Maiden‘s premise could sustain more gameplay ambition but still delivers sufficient feudal fun.
The Lovely, Bizarre Journey of Lil Gator Game
Quirky comedy adventure Lil Gator Game may flaunt the month‘s most absurd premise: You‘re a child alligator who wants to play tag with his sister as your unhelpful mom amusingly overlooks the backyard shenanigans. Yet somehow developer MegaWobble crafts an offbeat yet endearing coming-of-age journey stapled together by goofy fun. What begins as reptilian Animal Crossing tomfoolery expands into an imaginative multiverse romp.
Vibrant, toy-like 3D cartoon worlds visually stun as players hop across lily pads or ride a Roomba through space! Sure, objectives involving collecting items to progress or occasionally battling enemies tend towards simplistic. However, legit laughs and even intermittent emotional story beats persistently impress. Lil Gator Game‘s gleeful playfulness proves infectious for inner children of all ages.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Keeps Momentum with Wave 3
Despite releasing in 2017 on Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe maintains unprecedented success as the console‘s second highest-selling title ever. So Nintendo shrewdly keeps fan momentum going by expanding the acclaimed racer via its Booster Course Pass DLC. Wave 3 arrived in December, introducing eight remastered tracks from past entries.
Immediately upon launching into fan favorites likes Waluigi Pinball and Rainbow Road, that signature Mario Kart rhythm becomes instantly reinvigorating. Most courses concentrate on impeccably translating classics into MK8D‘s polished play with only minor layout changes. But new elements like Sky-High Sundae‘s toppings add delightful variety. Whether you‘ve poured countless hours into Mario Kart 8 or haven‘t raced in years, trying these remade tracks injects nostalgic novelty into the flagship karting franchise.
Super Kiwi 64 Channels Nintendo Nostalgia
Some may consider Fabraz‘s Super Kiwi 64 a Mario 64 imitation minus Mario underselling the passion and craft at play. Clearly Fabraz adores late 90s 3D platformers, playfully channeling inspirations like Mario, Banjo and Donkey Kong into this collectathon platformer bursting with Nintendo appreciation and polish. Controlling the adorable titular kiwi promises childlike glee.
Vibrant, toy-like settings like tropical beaches and snow-capped alps wow eyes as players hop and soar between floating islands gathering shiny trinkets. Tight controls satisfyingly feel like controlling Mario himself even throwing in a dive attack, triple jump and butt stomp straight from Mario‘s playbook. Charming writing carries players through the nine colorful worlds persistently dangling some humorous carrot urging further progression. This love letter to defining N64 mascots beaming with heart and joy belongs in any platformer fan‘s library.
The Outbound Ghost Melds Turn-Based Combat and Adventure
Twin-stick shooter meets Paper Mario whimsy within Conradical Games‘ bubbly RPG following recently deceased Bram who leads a cast of quirky ghosts. The Outbound Ghost‘s 2.5D diorama-like town impresses with detail through a story touching on regret and moving forward positively.
The true hook lies in its badge system used for both crafting and boosting party members‘ stats. Recruit spectral emotions like Doubt and passively equip badges granting buffs to outfit your wraith squad for turn-based clashes against nightmarish Lost Souls. Combine badges for greater perks like a mining badge also increasing thunder damage. Approachable, menu-driven combat combines with cheerful adventure titivated by humorous writing for a portable paranormal pleasure.
Inscryption‘s Haunting Card Battles Conclude Our List
Acclaimed developer Daniel Mullins delivers his darkest, most ambitious vision within the unsettling card-based odyssey Inscryption. Tense battles against woodland creatures sees players utilizing various deck builds trying to escape imprisonment by an ominous figure. Unexpected story shifts soon plunge players deeper into an oppressively tense, lore-rich saga.
Mullins masters an intentional sense of discomfort through the chilling ambient soundtrack and off-putting character portrayals while still encouraging addictive deck experimentation. Crucially, Inscryption relies more on psychological tension over jump scares or gore. Expert pacing constantly dangles enticing narrative carrots urging you toward the next bizarre, reality- questioning revelation. Inscryption sears itself into your mind through masterful tone and storytelling rather than pure horror shock value.
Significant December Additions to Beloved Switch Library
Despite launching during the usual gaming industry December slowdown, the Switch saw 11 games that provide experiences likely appealing to all types of players. Mario Kart and Final Fantasy fans enjoyed franchise returns. Indie supporters played imaginative new adventures. And horror aficionados received chilling Inscryption as a rare spooky Switch option.
Sure December lacked heavy hitters dropping near Black Friday when publishers concentrate efforts on driving massive holiday sales momentum. But Nintendo still supported Mario Kart‘s incredible longevity while third parties kept establishing the Switch port machine reputation with quality re-releases like Crisis Core. And indie creators consistently deploy their unique visions.
Most promisingly, the creativity fueling treasures like Kukoos, Wavetale, and The Outbound Ghost reconfirm why the Switch sits alongside PC as homes for innovation and risk-taking projects. If December‘s multitude of genres says anything, 2023‘s quieter months should still deliver gaming joy fitting nearly every interest thanks to the excellent Switch eShop.
What Does This Mean for 2023 Switch Releases?
While 2022 closed strong with games like Bayonetta 3 and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, 2023 boasts possibly an even stronger Switch lineup hinted at by December‘s arrivals. Headlining is the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in May but complemented by smaller releases satiating gamers in release droughts.
Dragon Quest Treasures hints we may see more family-friendly, experimental spinoff entries realizing amazing Switch portability and accessibility. Smaller developers can revisit past generations with faithful modern takes like Chained Echoes. And Nintendo sustaining older titles via substantial updates has already benefited Mario Kart and will likely continue.
December‘s diverse stocking suffers signal that 2023 promises big headliners but also consistent ports, remakes, and indies preventing dreaded bare patches. Mario Kart‘s evergreen status through courses makes betting on MK9 risky. More Zelda re-releases like Wind Waker and Twilight Princess may follow Skyward Sword.
My optimistic perspective sees December‘s titles exemplifying trends toward supporting persistent services over quickly abandoned annual sequels. Unique indie ideas should keep flourishing while classics get revived for nostalgic or new audiences. Maybe 2023 sees long-rumored remakes like Metroid Prime and Baten Kaitos finally emerge too!
Conclusion – Smaller Releases Can Still Delight
December 2022 gave Switch owners 11 more reasons to keep enjoying their coveted handheld/docked hybrid console thanks to some standout late ports, spinoffs, indies and DLC. Dragon Quest, Mario Kart, and Crisis Core kept major IPs alive as Kukoos, Wavetale, and The Outbound Ghost impressed with their concepts. Charming adventures stayed accessible for younger gamers while Inscryption horrified mature players.
Nintendo shows no signs of abandoning hybrid support while introducing new ideas like Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star in January. Growth of the eShop bolsters hungry indie creators. And updated ports as well as Services like Nintendo Switch Online and the Expansion Pack will keep classic content flowing.
If December‘s small but satisfying lineup proved anything, it‘s that Switch gaming mindshare persists unrelenting, bolstered by first-party staples evergreen status but ultimately sustained by third-party ports and daring indie teams constantly dreaming up unconventional, smile-spurring ideas. So while 2023 prepares surefire smashes like Zelda, Fire Emblem and maybe Metroid Prime 4, we‘re guaranteed months packed with varied play thanks to the Switch‘s very identity as a crossover nexus of nostalgia and innovation.
December may represent gaming‘s commercial cooldown before ramping sales pitches back up, but for Switch fans the new prospects never ceased allowing us to end 2022 satisfied while anticipating how current journeys continue growing plus what delightful new realms lay in store. As long as players maintain an open mind to try seemingly niche experiments, the eShop‘s surprising wealth guarantees engaging experiences await.
