Nintendo Switch Sports impressions: Wii Sports sequel has depth, familiarity

Nintendo’s WiiSportIt was an example of simplicity in gaming. The 2006 Wii game taught millions of players both new and experienced how to use Nintendo’s revolutionary and intuitive motion controller, giving a new generation its first gaming experience. The Wii Bowling Tournament scene continues to thrive, sixteen years after its inception.

Nintendo SwitchSportA sequel is due to be available later this month. It brings back the essence of the original Wii SportsHowever, it aims to appeal to a different audience. Simple and familiarity are the hallmarks of the original. Wii SportsThe Switch sequel retains this feeling thanks to motion-controlled, simple games such as tennis and bowling. Switch owners will find new depth and complexity, which is the best of both worlds. Nintendo Switch SportsFrom its Wii Sports inspiration.

Badminton, soccer and other new additions can provide heated one-on-1 or team-based matches. Even bowling has some improvements: You can play in a fast-paced pickup or on strange alleys that have wild obstacles.

Image: Nintendo

A hands-on demonstration with Nintendo Switch Sports in New York last week, I got to sample the breadth and depth of Nintendo’s new sports collection. Believing I’d already had my fill of baseball, boxing, and bowling as a Mii more than a decade ago, I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun the new collection of games is.

First, let’s discuss the presentation. Nintendo Switch SportsThe Wii Sports Games have received a modern update that lets players customize and create more realistic avatars. Sportsmates player characters look more like Splatoon’s cool kids than the toy-like Miis of Nintendo 3DS and Wii. Mii diehards still have the option to get a Mii-like appearance in Nintendo Switch Sports; it’s part of the game’s rich customization, but looks out of place amid the visual upgrades here.)

These are the games. Now, the games. Nintendo Switch SportsThe game I had the most fun with was soccer. There are four different variations of the game, though I tried only two. One was a goal shootout between two players, where I had a Joy-Con attached to my kick leg. The other was a co-op against computer-controlled opponents. Except for whipping out the leg straps and attaching them, Shootout is the easiest game to pick up. Players take turns trying to kick a ball into a very large goal, and it’s all about timing. It’s difficult to predict the ball’s speed and arc, so I ended up going too far to my left many times. What makes shootout mode both interesting and balanced is when one player starts to dominate — if you have a streak going, the goal size shrinks, making precise timing even more critical.

Image: Nintendo

My session was unique because I used my own leg strap and my Nintendo representative. We rotated the pitches one turn each. If you only have one strap in your household, the one player can take a complete set (5 kicks), then pass it and give the Joy-Con to the other player. This was one example of how it works. Nintendo Switch Sports’ added complexity brings additional considerations for how Switch owners will play the game.

The second match of soccer was a bit more traditional. The match was four on four with left and right Joy Cons. My Joy-Con left controlled my player’s movement, using an analog stick to move freely through all di. The right Joy-Con used motion control to make kicks upward, down, left or right. For a strong strike, I was able to perform dramatic and stamina-draining dive headers. Similar to another popular soccer game, Rocket League, Nintendo Switch SportsIt uses a large ball with smooth corners and stadium edges. The ball can be easily tracked and is always in play. It’s soccer without any downtime, and it may offer the most replayability of any Nintendo Switch Sports activity.

Maybe it’ll be bowling. It offers all the simple pleasures and enjoyments that you would expect from it Wii Sports counterpart (and might mistakenly make you think you’re a good bowler in real life). My version of bowling was traditional, with one exception. All four people in the room were rolling at once. Nintendo Switch SportsThe speed of bowling makes it easy to enjoy. We were able to complete our game in just six minutes. Bowling at home with my Switch is already a draw, but I’m further intrigued by the obstacle options I didn’t get to try, which include bumpers, lanes of varying height, and bottomless pits.

Image: Nintendo

The three net sports — tennis, badminton, and volleyball — offered different levels of intensity. Although tennis feels most calm, doubles can sometimes be frenetic, and it is often the easiest. Tennis is a game about timing and angles. Your character automatically runs to the ball. Badminton is more strategic. Badminton is more strategic than lobbing the shuttlecock at their opponent. The goal of the game here is to keep them on the edge, trying to exhaust their stamina. Badminton appears to be the best sport. Nintendo Switch Sports’ most hardcore devotees will spend their time. The game of volleyball requires perfect timing. Players must bump, set, and spike the ball — and block it, if on defense — with perfect timing. A visual indicator over your player character’s head helps you visualize the best moment to strike.

Finally, there’s chambara, a renamed version of the swordplay game included in Wii Sports Resort’s suite of activities. The key to success is not only striking the right angles (vertically, horizontally or diagonally), but also guarding and maintaining control. Split-screen fighting games are a great way to strategically fake out your opponent. Chambara fans will be interested in learning more about this game. Nintendo Switch Sports. You can also find depth in the variations. Players can battle with one sword or two, and there’s an optional charge move that, while I didn’t get to try it, appears to add new strategies to both attacking and defending.

A free update on Golf will be provided Nintendo Switch SportsThis summer. You can play it online and locally against your friends. Or you can join random matchmaking with other Switch owners. Nintendo is making that random matchmaking seem very important to the long-term enjoyment of the game, as that’s where players will unlock new cosmetic items. You can get outfits, accessories, and new equipment for your Sportsmate avatar. Apparently there’s a bowling ball that looks like a watermelon, which feels extremely important to have.

Nintendo Switch SportsOn April 29, it will be published.