If my initial impression of Nintendo Switch Sports Resort was cheery and positive, my opinion of the new Switch 2 exclusive after getting to play it from the comfort of my own home is nothing short of glowing. Expanding on what made 2022’s Nintendo Switch Sports so engaging, Sports Resort comes through with a more expansive, more immersive gameplay experience packed with new sports, activities, and hidden surprises.
Just as Wii Sports Resort improved upon Wii Sports thanks to the introduction of Wii MotionPlus, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort owes much of its simple charm to the capabilities of the Switch 2 platform itself. From massive, free-roaming geography to quick load times to more synchronous play options, the processing capabilities of the system really shine, with none glowing brighter than the Joy-Con 2. Smooth and responsive, if I weren’t already a firm believer in the capabilities of the Switch 2’s native controllers, suffice it to say this game would’ve converted me.
That being said, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort does offer robust support for the original Joy-Cons for most activities—a great design choice for those of us already heavily invested in the previous-gen Switch ecosystem. Old-school Joy-Con users, however, will miss out on one of the title’s true showpieces, Skateboarding.
Using Joy-Con 2 mouse mode to simulate pushing your board to build speed, Skateboarding lets you shred across Wuhu Island on the collect-a-thon that is the Sightseeing Tour (1-2 players), in competitive course races (the 1-4-player Skate Sprint), or in ultra-casual Free Play. With jump tricks and grinds galore, it may not be Tony Hawk, but it’s certainly a fun way to kick off any play session.
Two additional leisure sports, Prop Plane and Power Cruising, take this exploration across air and sea, delivering their own Sightseeing Tour and Free Play modes, as well as unique competitive experiences. Prop Plane’s Ball Battle (2-4 players) challenges pilots to collect (or steal) the most floating balls, while Power Cruising offers its own racing mode, Sea Sprint (1-4 players).
The other nine of Nintendo Switch Sports Resort‘s offerings represent more traditional sports, though I suppose I’m using the word “traditional” a little loosely. Motion-gaming favorites like Bowling, Boxing, Archery, and Golf are joined by Volleyball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Basketball, and… Thumb Wrestling.
Jokes aside, Thumb Wrestling, about which I’ve already waxed poetic, is a genuinely fun two-player experience and another solid showcase for the game overall. Tennis, offering gameplay for up to four players online or offline, and Table Tennis, its smaller but more flexible head-to-head sibling, both do a phenomenal job of one-to-one movement tracking using a single Joy-Con 2. Serving is fluid, and you can really tell the difference between a forehand and backhand shot.
To tell the truth, Volleyball and Basketball both had me a little worried going in, just because of each sport’s wide variety of required movements, but both of these played wonderfully as well. Whether with friends or computer-controlled players, Volleyball is always four-on-four, and there’s a sort of rhythm game variation available if standard games aren’t your thing. Either way, the classic bump-set-spike movements work well.
Basketball, which offers everything from standard two-on-two matches to multiplayer three-point contests, really blew me away. Dribbling, passing, stealing, and shooting are mapped to simplified movements that feel natural and register consistently.
Boxing, Archery, and Bowling I also addressed in my preview coverage, but having them at home has given me a new appreciation for how well each functions. Boxing supports up to two players, and while punching, dodging, and blocking seemingly lack nuance, there’s actually a lot of meat on that proverbial bone—including devastating uppercuts if you can get the timing right.
Archery, like Boxing, is another two Joy-Con activity, and the draw and release movements are supremely satisfying. Both Standard and Special modes consist of three shots per round for three rounds, with the target placed further away (plus the occasional addition of things buffeting crosswinds) each subsequent round. The primary difference is that in Special mode all competitors share a single target with color-coded quadrants.
That perennial favorite Bowling has obviously received the most extensive upgrade from previous Nintendo sports titles, now offering 4-player offline matches, 8-player online friends matches, and up to 16 online via random matchmaking—and everyone can bowl at the same time, so that interminable wait for your turn is a thing of the past! Aside from Standard Bowling, there are obstacle-heavy Special matches and the massive 100-Pin Game.
The only sport that gave me any real trouble from a controller perspective was that other motion-gaming classic, Golf. Using a single Joy-Con 2 with up to four players locally and eight online, Golf also eliminates the wait by allowing everyone to shoot at once. With different course types, layouts, and factors like wind speed, it’s another solid offering, with my one caveat being that I felt the tracking with the Joy-Con 2 was, perhaps, a little too accurate, translating even the slightest wrist movement into a severe slice or hook.
Now, this doesn’t so much take away from the fun of the game as it demands a little more attention than in other sports, but still, it’s something to be aware of. If you or your younger gamers really can’t seem to overcome this, there is an offline shot assist available in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort‘s settings menu.
Wuhu Island offers tons of great diversions, but if you’re in the market for a little more structured play, look no further than the single-player Island Crown mode. Herein, you climb the ranks of one of the nine (non-leisure) sports, earning customization options and Spocco Points—Sports Resort‘s currency, used to score random pulls from the island’s Item Center—along the way. Eventually, you’ll earn the right to challenge the sport’s Island Champion for their crown.
Not only does Island Crown leverage the weird and wacky world that the franchise has spent so long cultivating in a way that’s both fun and meaningful by providing your Sportsmate a true place in it, but it likewise assures that dedicated single-players have access to ample in-game content. Even if private Friend Lobbies, Casual online play, and dedicated Pro Leagues aren’t your thing, you’re sure to find plenty to do on Wuhu Island.
While Nintendo Switch Sports Resort might not be your game of the year, it is surely poised to become the game of the season. It boasts the kind of easy accessibility and family-friendly fun that just begs to be broken out after Thanksgiving dinner or during your Christmas get-together.
Couch co-op is key, but the title’s expanded online support—especially the revamped Friend Lobby system—means that loved ones the world over can all come together to explore Wuhu Island, fostering friendly rivalries or simply enjoying each other’s company via GameChat. Best of all, the new Nintendo Switch 2 + Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Bundle is the perfect pick-up for new Switch 2 adopters, offering the console, a download of Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, and a 3-month Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership at a $27.98 discount.
Whether recapturing the fun of your Wii Sports heyday, following up the excellent Nintendo Switch Sports with this new Switch 2 release, or diving into the motion gaming fun for the first time, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a jewel of a game that scratches the competitive itch while also delivering more than enough casual fare to keep your whole household occupied as we ease into the holiday season.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort arrives exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 this Thursday, October 22, and is priced at $49.99 for the digital release and $59.99 for the physical cartridge. Pick up a copy and prepare to punch, lob, and grind your way to victory in this latest Switch 2 must-have.
Review materials provided by Nintendo of America. This post contains affiliate links. I require more Spocco Points.
