The holiday season is just around the corner, which means 2022’s biggest and most exciting video games are about to drop. Compared to past console generations, the video game industry now does a slightly better job spreading major releases throughout the entire year. Still, publishers tend to save their biggest blockbusters for October, November, and December to capitalize on the shopping rush. 2022 is no different.
With next-generation consoles wrapping up their second full year on the market, holiday 2022 games are poised to better leverage the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S' power. Sure, Sony’s big exclusive God of War Ragnarok is also coming to PlayStation 4, but gamers serious about experiencing this epic odyssey will want the highest possible visual fidelity. Meanwhile, the open-world, multiplayer Batman RPG Gotham Knights is only coming to next-gen consoles and PC.
The Nintendo Switch has its own exciting lineup of games you’ll only be able to play on the console/handheld hybrid. The long-awaited Bayonetta 3 brings back delightfully demonic combat. Mario + Rabbids continues gaming’s most unexpected mascot crossover for another tactics adventure. And, of course, millions of trainers will begin a new monster-catching journey in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
In this episode of The Pop-Off, we discuss these games and many others as we preview the 2022 holiday gaming season. Are we excited for The Callisto Protocol? What’s up with the new Star Ocean? Will Hollow Knight: Silksong ever release? Watch to find out, and be sure to look out for reviews for these games over the coming weeks.
For more on gaming, check out our picks for the best PC games, best Nintendo Switch Games, best PlayStation 5 games, and best Xbox Series X/S games. And for more in-depth video game talk, visit PCMag's Pop-Off YouTube channel.