Nintendo Switch Sports Preview – Victory Lap

Wii Sports solidified the power of motion-control gameplay and catapulted Nintendo’s seventh-generation home console to immediate superstardom (it’s no wonder the cartoony sports simulator cracked our Top 25 Wii Games). The Resort sequel was a commercial and critical success but the legacy of the original Resort remains unsurpassed. Fast-forward 16 years and Switch Sports’ launch is finally on the horizon. Spocco Square is home to many activities. Here’s what I thought about each one.

Bowling

Look, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I didn’t notice any substantial differences between Switch and Wii Sports’ Bowling, and, in hindsight, that was probably a sound decision. Bowling is a simple activity that was almost perfect. The Joy-Con made it easy to roll the ball. You still need to aim correctly, but those adjustments are appropriately made before stroking. The promise of sixteen-player elimination PvP matches which act like battle royales was what piqued my curiosity. That’s certain to spice up Bowling’s cathartic loop.  

Soccer 

Soccer intrigued me the most. The leg strap accessory from Switch Sports was recently showcased in recent trailers. This is an innovative feature that tracks leg movement so kicks feel natural. While it took me some time to get acclimated to and won’t be wholly implemented on launch day (an update is slated for the Summer), the leg-strapped Joy-Con was surprisingly refreshing. More stationary Soccer modes like the “shoot-out” activity are ideal for kicking the ball in quick succession without tiring out. Things will get even more chaotic and challenging when all the Soccer fields are available. Two Joy-Cons were used to kick the ball at different speeds and directions for my experience. As my Sportmate threw their entire body at the ball, the diving header shot made me laugh. It was also nice to see the FIFA-inspired celebrations that followed a wild score. 

Tennis

Wii Sports made tennis a big deal, just like Bowling. For casual Nintendo players, tight controls were paired with funky Mii animations. That’s not to say that there wasn’t room for skill-based play. Switch Sports’ Tennis is more of the same on a mechanical level, but color-coded cues and minor but significant tweaks to the game’s physics add a strategic quality. Supercharged balls, which have a purple trail, are fast and powerful, so players must be quick to respond in order to get the ball back. Matches feel a bit more intense now that the direction you swing the Joy-Con determines the ball’s path – sorry, you can’t just fling the racket around willy-nilly for optimal results. Switch Tennis was a great alternative to Wii Tennis. 

Volleyball

Volleyball is one of Switch Sports’ most involved activities. Different movements are required for serving bumps, sets and spikes. The Joy-Con was easy to hold up and watch as my avatar leapt. I then had to swipe right at the correct time to activate a spike. Similarly, blocks require you to predict your opponent’s movements and meet mid-air at the net. Because these actions require teamwork, it is essential to prioritize this type of cooperation. A single player must always set up the big play, which means that they will have to put their hands over their heads. Communication is crucial to your success. Unlike Tennis, there’s no “carrying” in Volleyball, and players looking to dive in with family/friends will appreciate that. 

Chambara

Like Swordplay in Resort and Boxing in the original game, Chambara is the latest iteration of the series’ perennial “workout” sport. It’s not enough to just slash different types of swords. You need to be ready for sweat. You’ll twist and turn your body, Joy-Con gripped firmly, to land blows. To protect yourself from being struck by an attack, you can hold down the ZR key and position your weapon vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Although I was limited to the default armament, twin swords or charge swords offer a level of skill and brilliance beyond basic slice-making. Chambara rewards players that guard and thrash with intention, so if you’re planning to climb the leaderboards later this month, make sure your decisions are thought-out and deliberate, like any good dueler. 

Badminton

Badminton may seem to be a miniature version of Tennis 1v1, but with a gravity defying shuttlecock. I was forced to be more patient and precise with timing because of this new Nintendo Sports product. These super-charged hits still pose a danger. Your combinations of shots (backhand/forehand/drop shot, etc.) are important. You might be the one to decide if your Sportsmate, Mii or Sportsmate is able to keep up with the fast-paced action. Badminton is my favorite sport of the six – a Nintendo rep and I played a single match for what felt like 20 minutes! That’s because rallies are regular occurrences in Badminton, so bouts feel particularly competitive and exhilarating. I can’t wait to see how this promising new game mode evolves in ranked playlists. 

Nintendo sports is back in rotation, with the cutesy and vibrant look you can remember from 2006. Spocco Square’s new venue shines under a bright tropical sun with palm trees proudly standing among the six sports arenas. Joy-Cons that respond to your requests bring these extravaganzas life. Sportsmate/Mii personalization will provide a tremendous incentive for players, whether they are playing online or alone. One of the things that impressed me was what I tasted at the preview. A Baseball announcement and Golf are both planned for fall. – please announce baseball, Nintendo – This would make it the perfect cherry on top. Nintendo Switch Sports may just be Wii Sports’ triumphant return, as it will drop on April 29,