It's been a secret month for the Nintendo Switch

After three months of relentlessly releasing massive new video games, April seems to be tame so far. The closest we have to a major video game is Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saganot exactly on the same scale as Elden Ring. Hence, gamers are taking a lull when they can catch up on games like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands or Strange West.

But for Nintendo Switch owners, April could be the console’s most powerful display of 2022. While it doesn’t have any flashy first-party releases, its wide array of ports and cross-platform titles serve as a reminder of why Nintendo’s tiny hybrid still has can hold a special place in the current game landscape.

Multiple ports

In terms of hit releases, the Switch has only one major title this month – although a quiet month makes it the game’s biggest release by default. Nintendo Switch Sports landed on April 29, carrying Wii Sports nostalgia to 2022. Rely on During my hands-on time with it at a preview event, it was shaping up to be a surprise hit that finally put the Switch’s unused motion controls to good use.

While it’s Nintendo’s only big game for April (and it’s certainly not a Kirby-sized game), the console’s library has grown stronger every few days this month. Part of that comes from a number of strong cross-platform releases, something Nintendo took on in 2022. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and MLB The Show 22 skip the Switch within days of each other. The latter is particularly notable as it is a game published by Sony that MLB reported pushed to put on Nintendo console.

While new releases are always the most exciting, a strong range of port selections are really driving the console this month. Indie hits like Don’t starve together and Stanley Fables: Super Luxury are welcome additions to the eShop. PS5 launch title Bugsnax Coming to Switch with its new DLC, feels like a perfect tonal match for the system. I personally played Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition on my Switch, and even though it’s a raw port, it’s still nice to experience a classic RPG with flexibility.

The two best Switch games this month are both ports that benefit from the unique nature of the Switch’s portable design. Previously exclusive to PS4 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim It’s now on Switch, and it’s a surefire way to experience it. When I first played the mech visual novel, I remember wishing I could play it in the Switch’s desktop mode so I could listen while washing the dishes or preparing dinner. If I had known it was coming to the Switch sooner, I would have waited for it.

A high school student looks at a mech in 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.

This is also true for No one saves the world. The animated dungeon crawler is already one of the best video games of 2022, and it’s a great fit for the Switch. The small-scale action game has several dungeons that can be completed in 10 minutes, making it a perfect mobile “time killer” game. If I recommend it to someone, I recommend picking it up on the Switch, even if they can play it through an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

The Switch’s aging hardware may have tarnished its luster, but portability is still its trump card. Some games just perform better in small, “play-anywhere” sections, and as a result some releases feel more natural on the Switch. For those who haven’t played every new game by the time it releases the eShop there are plenty of new additions this month that will give you plenty of reasons to keep your Switch charged.