Nintendo’s "Sports'' series is finally back in motion after 15 years with the new Nintendo Switch Sports.
The new sports-themed motion-controlled game tries to build on the success of the 2006 game that pioneered motion controls - the Nintendo Wii hit, Wii Sports.
The original Wii Sports was made up of simple sports minigames that demonstrated brand new motion-controlled technology, using the player's movements to correspond with actions in-game.
This not only proved fun and hilarious to watch, but it also lowered the entry requirements for more casual gamers causing a huge surge in the popularity of the seventh-generation console it was bundled with.
Wii Sports only had 5 games, while Wii Resort had 12. Switch Sports sees some new and some returning games to the simple formula with six games: Volleyball, Soccer, Badminton, Tennis, Bowling, and Chambara, with Golf also being added later in Autumn.
The graphics are clean looking and colourful but are also stylised, simple and cartoonish which works fine for the game but won’t appeal to everyone.
The simple colourful Sports mates are fine if a little basic but they do have much more fluid animations.
They also look hilarious when next to an old fashioned Mii character - your old Mii’s can still be used, although you cannot unlock outfits for them.
Environments are more detailed than before, with buildings in the distance and plants everywhere, it's colourful and pleasant to look at but the “college campus” aesthetic feels a little bland, as Nintendo is often at its best when it leans into the weird.
The game definitely benefits from using the more advanced Joy-Con’s motion capabilities, making it faster and more accurate, but it does feel like something is lacking, and that there should be more of a leap.
Joy-Con straps are also recommended so your controller doesn't get launched at your TV like so many Wii Remotes did back in the day.
You begin looking down on an outdoor Sports complex called Spocco Square, with several buildings representing different games.
It feels like there should be more to see and do here with this city hub world, like roaming around Spocco Square and interacting with other characters and the environment.
You then begin with character creation which is limited, however you can unlock more outfits and items through online play. There are 6 different locations, each representing a sports mini-game.
Volleyball
Supports from one to four players.
The volleyball itself is a little slow to give everyone a chance to land their hits, and it also requires a fair amount of coordination with your team. The game shuffles around your position, but felt like it had the most complicated set of motions to learn and pull off as I kept going for the ball too early.
Soccer
Supports from one to two players.
Soccer is fun with up to four players chasing a slow, oversized ball across the pitch - much like a simpler version of rocket league without the cars. You can spirit across but this wears down your stamina which takes a little while to regenerate.
While fun, it can get a little tedious and it also feels weird to be using the analogue stick to move while swinging the controller to kick the ball in what is supposed to be a motion-controlled football game.
There is also a Penalty shootout mode where you strap the leg strap on and try to time and direct your kicks in order to score a goal. While amusing, this is also very repetitive.
Badminton
Supports from one to two players.
This game consists of intense back and forth volleys as you try and get past the other players defences by hitting the shuttlecock to areas the other player isn’t prepared for. This is where the accuracy of the Joy-Con compared to the Wii remote is made most apparent.
Tennis
Supports from one to four players.
Tennis plays pretty much how you would expect and felt like one of the weaker games in the set.
When playing with one or two players you are forced to play doubles, with players often controlling both players on their side of the net, which can be a little confusing.
Bowling
Supports from one to four players. Easily my favourite game of the set, it feels similar enough to the classic Wii bowling but you can feel the improved motion controls.
Thankfully this time around you can all bowl at once so you’re not left waiting for grandma to end her turn - you can bowl simultaneously.
It’s really relaxing to play with its zen-like simplicity, however if it’s too simple for you there is also a second mode that adds increasingly difficult obstacles for you to try and get around. This adds a nice twist as well as a slight challenge.
Chambara
Supports from one to two players.
Chambara is a sword fighting mini-game where you need to balance attacking the other player while also trying to align your sword to defend yourself and parry attacks.
Chambara feels like the most engaging game in the package, it's surprisingly strategic as you need to be aware of the direction your foe is guarding against and adjust your angle accordingly.
There are three distinct ways to play, including the Twin Swords and Charging Sword that change up how you attack and defend.
Unfortunately you cannot play in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch as motion cannot be turned off. This effectively rules out playing it on the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Switch Sports is ultimately a fun but shallow experience, with the games at their best when played in person with friends. Sadly, there is a very limited amount of gameplay.
Motion controls aren’t as new and exciting as they once were, and so it's hard for Switch Sports to have the same impact its Wii predecessor did.
After the initial hassle of connecting several Joy-Con to play on one system, gamers and non-gamers alike had a great time. It’s always fun to watch friends and family stumble around trying to figure out the controls before being surprised at who has absolutely no spacial awareness and falls over the coffee table.
In this new addition to the series though, you can also play online with players around the world, which is a much-appreciated addition.
Switch sports employs a ranking system with all players beginning at E rank and through playing and winning games with other players you gradually work your way up to A rank.
Your scores in the online games will reward you with points that can be spent on cosmetic items like outfits and accessories for your character.
The idea seems to be that this will have you coming back again and again, with players trying to up their ranks and unlocks more items.
While online is fun, it does lose a lot of its charm when you can’t see the in-game action correspond with the wonky, imperfect movements of their real-life counterparts.
I also wish more modes had been included, perhaps with power ups and other things to spice up the games, and make Switch Sports really break out of Wii Sports' shadow to take the madcap mini-games to the next level.
Verdict 3/5
Switch Sports, much like the original, is meant to be enjoyed in person, and the best way to play is in short bursts with friends. That’s when it's easy to pick up and play, and it'll even get non-gaming muggles involved.
The lack of other modes and challenges is a shame as it would have gone a long way to extend the life of this title. As it stands it just feels a little too hollow on content.
For around £30 it gave me some serious nostalgia for the Wii era, and it's also great to get some more use out of the Joy-Con.
The improved games and much better motion control accuracy are a welcome addition as well as the online functionality, sadly it still feels lacking in depth. Don't get me wrong, it's great fun, but it doesn't really add anything or build upon the Wii counterpart. Let’s hope there’s more DLC with additional mini-games added in future.
Nintendo Switch sports is out now from the Nintendo Store with the digital Edition for £30.99 and the physical version for £39.99.
