It’s almost remarkable when you think about it that Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is only just being released for Switch 2 now. After taking over the world as a pack-in for Nintendo Wii, it must have been tempting for Nintendo to make lightning strike twice with this new experience. That said, it’s here now, and it’s a load of fun, but there are a few caveats to note.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is, largely, exactly what you’d expect it to be. A collection of sports made into motion controlled games which are, for the most part, terrific fun to experience. Your mileage will vary on each individual sport, but they’re so quick and easy to get into that you are never wasting too much time to discover “Oh hey, I’m not that into volleyball”.
The magic of Wii Sports, and thus Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, is that the sports picked are easily replicated and feel just like you’re doing the real thing. Where the football in Nintendo Switch Sports was fun, it wasn’t really like playing football – not really. There’s no need for Leg Straps here, it’s just all playable with the Switch 2 Joy-Cons, and that’s probably how it should be, really.
But Bowling is where the series has always been at its best, and I believe that’s because it eliminates the need for dexterity, and enables all ages and skill tiers to actually enjoy it. It may be have been confusing for many why Nintendo chose to focus so heavily (and extensively) on Thumb Battle (or Thumb War to normal people: seriously, who has ever said “One, Two, Three, Four, I declare a thumb… battle!), but after trying it out, I get it. It’s like bowling: it replicates the real world motions on the Joy-Con perfectly.
You hold a Joy-Con within your palm and jam your thumb down onto the trigger, making your on-screen avatar hold their thumb down. It works perfectly, and it’s so much fun. There’s no “understanding” of the sport needed, no enormous dexterity required, even when compared to the timing of Volleyball, or Golf. This is just fun for everyone, any time, anywhere, because I think it’s no coincidence it’s one of the better games should you be out and about with your Switch 2 and not have a TV screen handy to dock your console to.
Bowling is, of course, still excellent. I can’t pretend it feels as revolutionary as it did twenty years ago (sorry, but it was that long ago), but it is still great to experience, especially online or with friends in the same room. Tennis has lost its lustre a bit for me in the time that’s passed, resulting in a “I’ve done this before, a lot” feeling. Elsewhere Volleyball feels a touch too slow, and less active than I’d like.
Rather than rank the sports, I’ll just say I adore Table Tennis still, because it feels like it taps into the part of me that actually loves sport, and understands how it all works. You can slice, spin, and power your shots towards your opponent, and it feels great. Likewise, Archery is superb, and while it’s something I’ve somehow never had a chance to try in real life, it makes me feel like I’d be great at it (I wouldn’t).
You can, if you like, spend time pootling around the Island in a Prop Plane, on a Skateboard, or on a Power Cruiser for some sea-faring shenanigans. There are balloons to pop, sights to see (via collectible fact-location photographs), and it’s a nice way to spend a few minutes. It’s not going to keep you invested long-term, but the entirety of Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is designed for you to drop in and out, picking up points for your avatar for simple things like daily play, unlocking achievements, and the like.
All of this is because your points are spendable at the in-game character customisation store, which is a gacha-like place to get weekly, and monthly items. At time of writing there’s a Halloween event, and while I don’t care for dressing my Mii up with a wolf head, you may love it.
Of course, the innate charm you’d expect is here and present, but Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is just much better with friends, or online. You can take part in Island Crown Mode, which is simply a ladder of opponents for each sport, getting harder as you play, but the true longevity and brilliance is in going up against real people online, or in your lounge.
While Nintendo Switch Sports Resort doesn’t feel revolutionary, I’m not sure what Nintendo could even do to grab that lightning in a bottle. It’s a simple game, and the price point reflects that in many ways. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a great time with friends, or even random opponents online, and while not every sport is as good as each other, the ones that are a success will keep me coming back time and time again. I know I’ll be bowling, thumb battling, and taking to the course for a swift round for some time to come. Thoroughly recommended, with the caveat you’ll get more if you play online, or with friends and family.
