Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is shaping up to be a compelling package, potentially addressing many of the shortcomings of the original Nintendo Switch Sports. The upcoming title invites players back to the familiar Wuhu Island, offering a blend of competitive sports, relaxed exploration, and engaging single-player challenges. This has elevated the game to become a highly anticipated release for the remainder of the year, moving beyond its initial appeal as a casual party game.
Nintendo is strategically bundling Nintendo Switch Sports Resort with the Switch 2 console this holiday season. This move is expected to resonate particularly well with casual gamers who may own a few popular titles but have a less extensive game library. The familiarity of Wuhu Island and the simple, pick-up-and-play nature of the sports are anticipated to be a strong draw for this demographic, encouraging console upgrades.
Where the original Nintendo Switch Sports was criticized for feeling like little more than a menu system, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort aims to provide a more immersive experience. Wuhu Island itself is designed not just for competition but also for exploration and leisure. For instance, the Power Cruising activity, a jet ski-based sport, offers both competitive races along obstacle-laden courses and a relaxed sightseeing tour where players can discover landmarks and find collectibles. This mode includes objectives and achievements, with a cooperative partner path tracing feature reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Hero's Path. A free-play option allows for extended exploration without timers, though without the ability to unlock achievements.
These multi-faceted modes, such as the explored in Power Cruising and the activities within the Skateboarding and Prop Plane segments, mirror the engaging exploration seen in titles like Mario Kart's free roam modes but with a more focused and rewarding structure. Collectibles and achievements directly contribute to unlocking cosmetics for player avatars, making the pursuit of goals feel seamless and enjoyable. The denser layout of Wuhu Island ensures that most areas offer something of interest to uncover.
Skateboarding utilizes precise Joy-Con motion controls, allowing players to perform tricks, grind on rails, and even attempt to reach the island's iconic volcano, Maka Wuhu. Similarly, Prop Plane offers a chance to revisit familiar locations and discover how Wuhu Island has evolved since its previous appearances, with new structures and geographical adjustments. The skies are populated with opportunities for discovery, from photographing landmarks to popping balloons. The game also encourages lighthearted goofing around, aligning with the vacation theme.
Beyond exploration, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort delivers on competitive fun. Thumb Wrestling, while simple, becomes hilariously engaging against human opponents. Bowling remains a classic, largely unchanged from its original iteration. Archery introduces a competitive mode where players aim for specific quadrants of the target, adding risk and rewarding strategic play. This mode incorporates dynamic elements like target rotation and size adjustments to ensure close matches and potential comebacks.
However, the game's lineup of 12 sports is not without its critiques. Table Tennis is described as somewhat forgettable, especially with the inclusion of standard Tennis. The presence of three net sports (Table Tennis, Volleyball, and Tennis) leads to a desire for different activities. Notably, the beloved Swordplay from Wii Sports Resort is absent, as is Baseball, a sport many fans hope to see return to the series. Despite these omissions, Boxing makes a welcome return, offering a robust single-player challenge through a ladder system of increasingly difficult CPU opponents, serving as a miniature campaign for each sport.
Overall, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is poised to be a significant upgrade. While a few sports might have been preferable to others, the quality of the included activities and the depth of content, particularly for single-player engagement, are impressive. The game represents a strong return to Wuhu Island and a substantial improvement over its predecessor, making it a noteworthy title for fans of motion-controlled sports games.