This year saw two new console launches in the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but the Nintendo Switch is still going strong in its own separate lane. The hybrid console-handheld had another great year, rocketing to massive sales on the strength of its games lineup and quarantine conditions fueling consumers to look for new ways to occupy themselves and their families.

Nintendo obliged, of course, with particularly strong first-party offerings like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which became a bona fide cultural touchstone. (Just ask US Representative AOC.) But the wide slate also included an anniversary celebration for Mario with Paper Mario: The Origami King, the battle royale Super Mario Bros. 35, and the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. The fall brought a remaster for Pikmin 3 and the musou game Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. And some of last year's games continued to get more love, including the two large expansions for Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Meanwhile, third-parties continue to release some of their biggest games on Nintendo Switch. This year brought such varied games as Hades, Fuser, Minecraft Dungeons, and Ghostrunner, as well as tons of beloved indie hits. And Switch is starting to get some games usually reserved for more powerful platforms through cloud-based streaming tech, like the recent release of Control.