Nintendo Switch Sports Resort refines the motion-controlled sports genre, delivering a package that is both approachable and deep enough to engage players of all skill levels. Building on the legacy of Wii Sports, the game offers 12 distinct events, blending familiar favorites with new additions and enhanced gameplay mechanics. It stands as potentially the strongest entry in the series to date, offering a well-rounded experience regardless of whether you're playing alone or with friends.
A Dozen Ways to Play
Switch Sports Resort features a diverse lineup of 12 main events. Alongside returning staples like bowling, archery, boxing, and golf, the game introduces newcomers such as thumb wrestling, skateboarding, power cruising, and prop plane. These new "leisure sports" allow for exploration of the revamped Wuhu Island via land, sea, and air, offering timed challenges and opportunities to collect Spocco Points, the in-game currency used for character customization. The controls across all sports are designed for intuitive pick-up-and-play accessibility, with many motions mirroring real-life actions.
While most sports involve familiar arm movements, Nintendo has introduced greater variety in control schemes. Skateboarding, for example, utilizes the Joy-Con's mouse mode to simulate a kick-push motion, and prop plane requires players to hold the controller like a paper airplane. Some control schemes, however, can lead to physical discomfort during extended play, as noted with the prop plane controls. Boxing, a series favorite, also requires players to adapt to the game's specific input method rather than mimicking real-world punching.
Multiplayer and Solo Pursuits
Multiplayer remains a core strength of Switch Sports Resort. The online lobby system has been improved to allow simultaneous participation in different sports, and special variants like simultaneous archery, 100-pin bowling, and skateboard racing add further depth to group play. The game also introduces the "Island Crown" mode for solo players. This mode challenges players to climb the ranks across nine sports, often with unique rulesets, against NPC opponents. The difficulty ramps up, pushing players to hone their skills across varied and sometimes outlandish challenges, such as increasingly complex bowling lanes or windier archery ranges.
Despite the engaging single-player content, the minigames' relatively shallow nature means diminishing returns can occur once a certain skill level is reached. While the game shines when challenging players with strategic elements, such as angled shots in tennis or navigating tricky golf courses, some wish for more novel twists to maintain long-term freshness. The inclusion of varied sports and modes, like the obstacle-filled bowling lanes and racing variants, offers the most compelling challenges.
Customization and Presentation
Upon completing activities, players earn Spocco Points to unlock cosmetic items for their characters. The game features "Sportsmates," cartoon-like avatars that replace the iconic Mii characters from Wii Sports, though Miis can still be used. Many players find the more expressive Sportsmates preferable to the Mii models after experiencing them in previous titles.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort successfully captures the spirit of its predecessors, offering a collection of accessible sports minigames that are enjoyable in any group setting. While certain sports are clearer standouts than others, the overall package is robust. The Island Crown mode significantly enhances the single-player offering, but the game's true longevity lies in its robust multiplayer components. With its easily approachable gameplay, Switch Sports Resort is poised to become a staple for parties and casual gatherings.