The 2022 holiday season is in full swing, and there is still time to get some last-minute Christmas shopping done. When it comes to games, customers are spoiled for choice, so much so that it can be difficult to know where to start if someone is not up-to-date with the industry’s releases. What are the most sought-afterSwitch, PS5, and Xbox games for Christmas 2022?
Picking the right gift goes beyond just selecting the current best-selling title. As someone’s game of the year could be another person’s dud, the most important thing is to find a present that suits the receiver’s preferences.
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Pokemon Scarlet & Violetare the big Nintendo Switch games for 2022’s holiday season. Game Freak’s JRPGs have received a mixed-to-positive reception, but they have garnered praise for their story and gameplay improvements. That said,Scarlet & Violethave their share of issues and bugs, so they are far from perfect. The first mainline entry to feature an open-world,Scarlet & Violetimmerses players in the Paldea regionand grants them freedom in how they would like to follow the story.
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As aChristmas Nintendo Switch gift,Scarlet & Violetshould be bought only if the receiver is a relatively die-hardPokemonfan. These entries are unlikely to change the opinion of people who are not into Game Freak’s franchise.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
Mariois always a reliable selection for a present, andMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopeis no exception. However, gift-givers should take into account that this project is not the typicalSuper Marioadventure, but rather a turn-based strategy game with adventure elements. Developed by Ubisoft,Sparks of Hopetakes Mario and the Rabbidson a comedic romp through space as they seek to take down a threat known as Cursa.
While a relatively accessible entry in the strategy genre,Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopemight be a bit too complicated for extremely young players. If someone is looking for a more traditional 3D platformer akin toSuper Mario Odyssey,Kirby and the Forgotten Landis a more suitable pick.
Splatoon 3
Splatoon 3is set up to be the Switch’s main multiplayer game for the foreseeable future. The third-person shooter offers cartoonish visuals, colorful environments, and fast-paced gunplay that is also accessible.
Unlike its predecessors,Splatoon 3also provides a satisfying single-player campaign with plenty of missions to keep solo players engaged. Nevertheless, this game is predominantly designed with multiplayer in mind, and the scene is very active.
Please note thatSplatoon 3’s multiplayer modes require a Nintendo Online membership, which costs $19.99 per year.
PlayStation 5
As of Jul 10, 2025, none of these PS5 games are on PS Plus.
God of War Ragnarok
Similar toPokemon Scarlet & Violetfor the Nintendo Switch,God of War Ragnarokis the PS5’s flagship release for the holiday season. Bringing to a close Kratos’s Nordic era,Ragnarokbuilds expertly on its 2018 predecessor to deliver an arguably superior experience. Santa Monica’s title offers gratifying combat, a lengthy storyline, enjoyable side content, and stunning visuals.
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Rated Mature 17+ by ESRB,God of War Ragnarokis intended for older players, so the game is not a good pick for children. Also, the 2022 sequel continues directly from 2018’sGod of War, and a lack of familiarity with the latter could impact someone’s enjoyment of the former.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Another sequel,A Plague Tale: Requiemcontinues the story started in 2019’sInnocence, furthering Amicia’s quest to find a cure for her brother. Although not too far removed from its predecessor, Asobo Studio’s game fine-tunes the gameplay and visuals to create a package that is undoubtedly a notch aboveInnocence. Similar toRagnarok,Requiemdoes generally require familiarity with its prequel.
One of the most visually impressive games on the PS5,A Plague Tale: Requiemdelivers a comprehensive single-player experience that shines in most departments.The story is relatively long and oftentimes brilliant.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
A remaster of a 2007 PSP release,Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunionserves as a stopgap betweenFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeand its upcoming sequel. Unlike those projects,Crisis Coresticks close to the original version’s blueprint and mainly offers an updated presentation. Nevertheless, this is still a great JRPG that will likely hit home for fans ofFF7Rwho wish to spend more time in this world while experiencing a solid story that adds depth to the overall lore.
If this 2022 title is being considered for a PS5 user who has not playedFF7R, that game’sIntergradeversion should be prioritized. Along with offering more content, that RPG is more likely to be discounted since it has been available for more than a year.
Xbox Series X/S
As of Jul 01, 2025, none of these Xbox Series X/S games are on Game Pass.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns Enhanced Edition
2022 produced two big superhero games:Gotham KnightsandMarvel’s Midnight Suns. The latter is the better of the two projects, however, it is also an acquired taste. A tactical RPG by the developer behindXCOM,Midnight Sunsassembles some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes and villains, pitting them against each other in turn-based combat built upon a card system. Players get to form friendships with characters such as Iron Man and Scarlet Witch, all the while taking part in challenging battles.
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Marvel’s Midnight Sunsis an easy pick for fans of Spider-Man and Captain America, as long as they are fond of tactical RPGs. If searching specifically for an action-oriented superhero project,Gotham Knightsis a more suitable candidate.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Activision’sCall of Dutyseems destined to always be a front-runner in the first-person shooter genre. The franchise’s popularity suggests that most people interested in playingModern Warfare 2have, more than likely, already picked up a copy. If that is not the case, the FPS is one of thebest Xbox game giftssince it is unlikely to ever come to Game Pass.MW2features a decent campaign along with a variety of multiplayer modes which are destined to be active for, at the very least, a couple of years.
An 8-hour story is by no means an underwhelming length for this type of release, butMW2should be primarily picked for its online modes since those provide the game’s longevity. If someone is searching solely for asingle-player FPS experience,Tiny Tina’s WonderlandsorDeathloopare worth considering.
Sonic Frontiers
Like most 3DSonic the Hedgehoggames,Sonic Frontiersis divisive. Sonic Team’s first stab at an open-world project has attracted both overwhelming praise and condemnation from critics; however,Sonic Frontiers’fan reception has been generally positive.
Even if 2022 produced more critically acclaimed projects,Sonic Frontiersmight be the perfect gift for long-time supporters of Sega’s Blue Blur. For everyone else, open-world games likeElden RingandDying Light 2could be safer bets.
