Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Review: Multiplayer Mayhem in Motion

Introduction

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is here, and this new first-party Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive has big shoes to fill.

When Wii Sports entered the scene 20 years ago, it was a total phenomenon. It was a smash hit thanks to its simplistic yet addictive gameplay, enticing players of all ages.

Its successor, Wii Sports Resort, expanded on the formula, adding more sports, more depth, and more precise controls. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort attempts to do the same for a new generation, aiming to refine the relatively basic Nintendo Switch Sports and create a more fleshed-out experience while retaining widespread appeal.

Can Nintendo Switch Sports Resort pull off this seemingly daunting task? The source review spent about 15 hours playing the game solo, with friends, and with fellow gaming journalists online.

Getting sporty on Switch 2

The original Nintendo Switch Sports offered a decent experience, though it was initially thin on content and single-player replayability. The current version, however, boasts a solid event lineup and responsive controls, making it a good party game. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort appears to have addressed many of its predecessor's initial shortcomings.

Sporting Variety and Refinements

The game features a diverse selection of 12 core sports, including classics like Basketball, Bowling, Boxing, and Tennis. It also introduces Leisure Sports such as Power Cruising and Prop Plane, alongside two entirely new additions: Skateboarding and Thumb Wrestling.

All 12 included sports provide great fun. Returning events like Basketball and Tennis remain largely unchanged but offer tight, enjoyable gameplay with accurate motion controls and various modes, such as the Three-Point Contest and Laid-Back Match. Bowling, Golf, and Volleyball also continue to be popular for multiplayer sessions.

Several returning sports feel significantly more refined. Boxing, for instance, has evolved from random flailing into a more tactical experience, incorporating a stamina bar and making uppercuts, hooks, and knockout punches more deliberate and strategic.

A highlight for the source reviewer was conquering the island champion in Table Tennis, which was noted as a favorite sport. Landing a crushing power shot to secure the top ranking was described as incredibly satisfying.

Table Tennis is considered one of the most enjoyable sports, requiring strategic slice shots and precise timing at higher levels. The Return Challenge mode also offers rewarding accuracy practice.

Archery is another standout, benefiting from the Joy-Con 2 controllers' pinpoint precision for aiming, with hidden targets adding replay value. Power Cruising and Prop Plane also translate well to the Switch 2, with the Prop Plane controls, despite an initial awkward grip, becoming comfortable and effective with practice.

New Additions and Omissions

However, some events from the original Nintendo Switch Sports have been cut, which was a point of contention for the source reviewer.

Three events — Badminton, Chambara, and Football — are no longer present. Football, in particular, is noted as a significant loss due to its chaotic multiplayer experience. It is uncertain if these sports will return in future updates or DLC.

Despite the omissions, the newly added sports are enjoyable. Thumb Wrestling, a bizarre yet fun addition, involves enlarging your thumb by pressing against an opponent's hand to pin them for victory.

Another key addition that helps Nintendo Switch Sports Resort surpass its predecessor is the Island Crown mode.

Skateboarding, while potentially divisive, was found to be enjoyable. It utilizes the Switch 2’s mouse mode capabilities effectively for jumping, tricking, steering, and acceleration. The Skate Sprint mode, with its focus on gaining speed through tricks and grinding, is a highlight.

However, the Free Play mode for Skateboarding, Prop Plane, and Power Cruising could be improved. While not empty, the worlds lack extensive exploration or more engaging objectives beyond collecting photos, with the source reviewer suggesting customization parts as a better reward.

Online play was very enjoyable, offering highly responsive and smooth controls. The source reviewer experienced no performance issues even with a less-than-ideal Wi-Fi connection, which is crucial for reaction-based sports like Table Tennis and Volleyball.

Island Crown and Customization

Island Crown is a primarily single-player experience where players advance through ranks in a chosen sport to challenge island champions. Opponents progressively become more skilled, culminating in encounters with legendary Mii characters from the Wii era.

This mode significantly enhances single-player replayability, offering new customization options as ranks improve and providing compelling challenges against tough opponents. It serves as an excellent way to develop sporting prowess, addressing a key shortcoming of the original Switch Sports.

Customization options are earned by playing sports, allowing players to spend points at an item center for random titles, hairstyles, and costumes. Unlike previous entries, points can now be earned offline, removing the need for a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for character customization.

Similar to Wii Sports Resort, this title successfully builds upon its predecessor by adding depth and versatility.

Players can customize standard characters or Miis saved on their console, though the source reviewer found Miis to look somewhat out of place with the game's visual style, suggesting they might be better suited as a relic of a past era.

More generally, the visual style of Nintendo Switch Sports is described as somewhat lackluster, lacking the personality of Wii-era titles in favor of a more streamlined, modern look that can feel soulless. Even the menus were noted as dull, with the source reviewer expecting more flair and nods to Nintendo's IPs.

Visual quality is generally strong, with consistent frame rates in both docked and tabletop modes. Minor texture loading issues were observed in tabletop mode during Prop Plane gameplay, but these were deemed fairly minor.

Overall, the experience with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort was largely positive. Its enhanced single-player replayability, enjoyable new sports, refined classics, and responsive controls make it a strong title, particularly for multiplayer.

Despite the omission of some sports and a divisive visual direction, this entry successfully builds on its predecessor with added depth and versatility, making it a worthwhile pick for a fun sporting experience on the Switch 2.

Play it if…

You want to enjoy more multiplayer mayhem on Switch 2. The console already features an expanding library of party games, and this title delivers chaotic showdowns across all 12 featured sports.

You are looking for single-player content. The inclusion of Island Crown provides substantial solo replayability and progression, with the challenge of rising through ranks and defeating champions keeping the experience fresh.

Don't play it if...

You dislike motion controls. Nearly all sports rely entirely on motion inputs without traditional controller alternatives, except for the mouse mode-enabled Skateboarding.

You disliked the visual style of the previous game, as the aesthetic remains largely unchanged and may still feel uninspired.

Accessibility features

Players can adjust the dominant hand for each sport, alter camera controls for Prop Plane and Skateboarding, and enable Shot Assist for Golf. However, broader accessibility options, such as colorblind modes or alternate control schemes, are limited.

Specifications