Nintendo Switch Sports (Offline) Review – Light Competition

Wii Sports occupies a strange space in video game history. Nintendo’s motion-controlled minigame collection is probably their most successful product ever, and yet, who talks about the game today? Wii Sports sold 10s of millions of Wiis more-or-less singlehandedly, influenced Nintendo’s entire output for a generation, and then… we collectively erased its existence from our minds. Of course, everything old is new again eventually, so could the gaming public be ready for another round? Nintendo Switch Sports aims to answer that question when it launches later this week, but does it measure up to past entries in the series? Tighten up your wrist strap, it’s time to find out.

Note: Nintendo did not grant reviewers access to Nintendo Switch Sports’ online modes prior to launch. This means a lot of new features, including online ranked play, unlockable cosmetics, and modes like “Survival Bowling” weren’t available to test. Because of that, this is specifically an offline review. Once I get a chance to try the online modes, I’ll update this review, which may include a change in score.

AYANEO preparing to launch the thinnest Windows OLED portable gaming console

Nintendo Switch Sports gives the series a bit of a makeover, largely replacing Miis with somewhat more realistically-proportioned “Sportsmates” (although you can still use your Mii if you prefer). These new avatars feel a bit generic at first, but they aren’t without their charms. The sports themselves now take place in various venues in “Spocco Square,” which is perhaps somewhat inspired by the Tokyo Olympic Village and venues. The various arenas you play in are packed with all sorts of little background details, ranging from restaurants to leafy cafes, to sunny NPC-filled parks. It may not be a technical showcase, but Switch Sports is actually a rather attractive game.

Of course, looks don’t matter all that much in a sequel to Wii Sports, it’s how the games play that actually that we care about. So, let’s go through them one by one, shall we?

Tennis – It wouldn’t be Wii Sports without Tennis, and it plays more or less exactly the same as you remember. A simple game of doubles in which you can control both players on your team or team up with a co-op partner. Your movement on the court is pre-determined and you simply swing left or right to send the ball in the appropriate direction. There isn’t a huge amount to it, but it’s still fun.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to Launch on July 29th; New Trailer Released

Badminton – This essentially stands in for Table Tennis from Wii Sports Resort, providing a simplified one-on-one racket sport. I do rather enjoy the feeling of the birdie thwacking off my racket created by the Joy-Con’s HD Rumble, but otherwise, there’s not much reason to play this one over Tennis.

Volleyball – Yet another sport that involves knocking something over a net, although Volleyball is a bit more complex than the rest. Like Tennis, your position on the court is controlled by the game, but instead of just swinging away, you have to make different motions for bumping, setting, and spiking. The motion controls work well, and playing co-op is fun as it requires a fair amount of coordination with your partner. Playing 1-on-1 or against the AI is less exciting, as without the teamwork aspect, it basically boils down to repeating the same motions over and over.

Bowling – The game that launched Wii Sports into millions of retirement home rec rooms around the world also returns. Much like Tennis, Bowling hasn’t really changed much. Position yourself in the lane, throw the ball, and twist the Joy-Con to add some English one way or the other. I may be imagining things, but I feel like the physics are a little more forgiving this time around. Maybe I played more Wii Sports Bowling than I remember, but I was scoring strike after strike in Switch Sports right off the bat.

Chambara – Swordplay from Wii Sports Resort makes its return, under a somewhat more accurate name. As before, your aim is to knock your opponent off a platform into the water below. Crossing your sword with an incoming attack will stun your rival, allowing you to get in a free shot or two. Like many of the games in Switch Sports, Chambara hasn’t changed much, although you do have the option to play with a charged sword or dual blades. Overall, this version of Swordfighting/Chambara felt a little harder to spam by just flailing away than Wii Sports Resorts did, which is a good thing.

Soccer – And now we come to the most elaborate addition to Switch Sports. Soccer requires two Joy-Cons for each player and provides full movement and camera control. Kicking the ball by swinging your arms feels a bit weird at first, but once you get the hang of it, Soccer almost starts to feel like a low-intensity motion-controlled Rocket League. Nintendo has also included a mode where you strap the Joy-Con to your thigh and take penalty shots by actually kicking your leg. It’s about as exciting as it sounds.

And that’s about all there is to Nintendo Switch Sports if you’re playing locally. Each of the game’s sports is fun in its own right, but there’s no denying the overall package feels pretty thin. You’re only getting one more event than the free Wii Sports, and far less content than Wii Sports Resort, which offered up 13 events and a whole mini open-world island to explore. Not only are you getting a rather short list of sports, but many of the little extra modes and challenges have been removed. There is a Bowling bonus mode where you attempt to hit various trick shots, but that’s about it. Yes, Golf is coming in a future free update, but it really should have been included in the original package (along with another two or three sports at least).

It seems like Nintendo is relying heavily on Switch Sports’ online features to set it apart, but again, I haven’t been able to try those yet (access should open up for reviewers today). As of now, the $40 asking price for this particular sporting event feels a bit hard to swallow.

This review was based on a copy of Nintendo Switch Sports provided by the publisher Nintendo. You can pre-order a copy of the game here.