Nintendo Switch Sports – Review | Worth a Buy?

From the iconic arch-nemesis to all flat-screen TVs released over 15 years ago, Wii Sports comes the all-new entry in the series, Nintendo Switch Sports. Like its predecessors, Nintendo Switch Sports is a motion-controlled sports party game that is best enjoyed with friends and family. Although it doesn’t quite capture the nostalgia of Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, it’s still a fun experience. 

Like in Wii Sports, you first need to customize the character you use throughout your sports career. However, the removal of skill points has admittedly dampened the offline single-player experience quite a bit. Wiis have returned and they’ve also added a whole new character creator, packed with customizable apparel. Nintendo Switch Sports offers 6 different sports games available in single-player, local multiplayer, and online multiplayer. Admittedly, some games are more fleshed out than others, but they’re all designed well and can be surprisingly addictive, even in single-player. These sports activities are Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Badminton, Chambara, and Bowling.

Soccer

Soccer was definitely my least favorite. It’s not intuitive like the other modes, and is the least realistic, playing like a poor version of Rocket League. There are three modes for Soccer: One on One, Four on Four, which is really 1v1 with AI teammates in the mix, and Shoot, which makes use of the Switch Leg Strap. It’s fairly imbalanced, as the balls are way larger than players and ignore all the laws of kinetic energy and basic physics, passing through players’ hitboxes when shots are taken point blank and shooting the ball with startling accuracy no matter its trajectory. Yes, this is a party game, but all the other sports have some semblance of realism. Part of their charm is relatability, something this mode does not possess.

Great things about Nintendo Switch Sports Soccer is the level of customization it offers. Players can choose from different teams, each with its unique attributes and styles. Additionally, players can customize the rules of the game, including the number of players on each team, the length of the halves, and the difficulty level. This level of customization allows players to tailor their gameplay experience to their specific needs and preferences.

 It’s still fun, of course, but definitely leaves a lot to be desired compared to sports. Playing the hardest AI in 1v1 was tricky. While they were very basic and predictable, their unnatural reaction speed and accuracy forced me to rely on exploiting the AI’s programming flaws. Now if there’s one thing Wii sports taught us, it’s that motion controls work quite well in Tennis. 

Unfortunately, Nintendo took this the wrong way by removing Gold and Baseball and adding Tennis, Volleyball, and Badminton. Obviously, sports play out very differently in real life, but the same can’t be said in Switch Sports. Gameplay-wise, Tennis, Volleyball, and Badminton are among the best sports here though, there’s no doubt about it.

Volleyball

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball offers players the chance to participate in volleyball matches against various teams in different stadiums. The gameplay is fast-paced and highly engaging, with realistic physics and motion controls that make players feel like they are on the court. The game allows players to use their Joy-Con controllers to serve, pass, set, spike, and block, which makes the game feel more interactive and realistic. The game features challenging AI opponents who require strategy and skill to defeat, making the gameplay experience more exciting and rewarding.

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball features different game modes that cater to different players’ preferences. The Story Mode takes players through a series of challenges and tournaments as they progress towards becoming the ultimate volleyball champion. The Quick Play Mode allows players to jump right into a game without having to worry about the other game modes. Tournament Mode lets players compete in various tournaments, each with its unique challenges and rewards. The game also features online multiplayer, where players can compete against other players worldwide.

One of the great things about Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball is the level of customization it offers. Players can choose from different characters with unique attributes and styles, including their outfits and accessories. Additionally, players can customize the rules of the game, including the number of sets and the number of points required to win a set. This level of customization allows players to tailor their gameplay experience to their specific needs and preferences.

Tennis

Tennis is played as a duo and is more refined than the original one from Wii Sports. Also interesting is the co-op feature, which adds a very nice dynamic of teamwork that I haven’t seen in other games. 

Nintendo Switch Sports Tennis offers players a realistic tennis experience, with realistic physics and motion controls that make it feel like players are actually on the court. Players use their Joy-Con controllers to swing their rackets and hit the ball, adding to the game’s interactivity and realism. The game also features a variety of shots, including forehands, backhands, and volleys, allowing players to customize their gameplay and strategies. The game’s AI opponents are challenging, requiring skill and strategy to defeat.

Knowing how to utilize the up and back positions is something you and your teammate both have to learn when playing together, covering for each other’s weaknesses while trying to gain an advantage over your opponents. In single-player, you’ll be controlling a “ghost” of your character, swinging both rackets simultaneously. Like Tennis, Volleyball is also cooperative. With how the jumping and blocking work, volleyball can be a little challenging for the intended audience but is a solid mode altogether.

Nintendo Switch Sports Tennis features different game modes that cater to different players’ preferences. The Story Mode takes players through a series of challenges and tournaments as they progress towards becoming the ultimate tennis champion. The Quick Play Mode allows players to jump right into a game without having to worry about the other game modes. Tournament Mode lets players compete in various tournaments, each with its unique challenges and rewards. The game also features online multiplayer, where players can compete against other players worldwide.

Badminton

Nintendo Switch Sports Badminton offers players a realistic badminton experience, with realistic physics and motion controls that make it feel like players are on the court. Players use their Joy-Con controllers to swing their rackets and hit the shuttlecock, adding to the game’s interactivity and realism. The game also features a variety of shots, including smashes, clears, and drop shots, allowing players to customize their gameplay and strategies. The game’s AI opponents are challenging, requiring skill and strategy to defeat.

Nintendo Switch Sports Badminton features different game modes that cater to different players’ preferences. The Story Mode takes players through a series of challenges and tournaments as they progress towards becoming the ultimate badminton champion. The Quick Play Mode allows players to jump right into a game without having to worry about the other game modes. Tournament Mode lets players compete in various tournaments, each with its unique challenges and rewards. The game also features online multiplayer, where players can compete against other players worldwide.

One of the great things about Nintendo Switch Sports Badminton is the level of customization it offers. Players can choose from different characters with unique attributes and styles, including their outfits and accessories. Additionally, players can customize the rules of the game, including the number of sets and the number of points required to win a set. This level of customization allows players to tailor their gameplay experience to their specific needs and preferences.

Bowling

Nintendo Switch Sports Bowling offers a realistic bowling experience, with realistic physics and motion controls that make it feel like players are actually on the bowling alley. Players use their Joy-Con controllers to mimic the actions of throwing a bowling ball, adding to the game’s interactivity and realism. The game also features different types of balls and lanes, adding to the gameplay variety. The game’s AI opponents are challenging, requiring skill and strategy to defeat.

Nintendo Switch Sports Bowling features different game modes that cater to different players’ preferences. The Story Mode takes players through a series of challenges and tournaments as they progress towards becoming the ultimate bowling champion. The Quick Play Mode allows players to jump right into a game without having to worry about the other game modes. Tournament Mode lets players compete in various tournaments, each with its unique challenges and rewards. The game also features online multiplayer, where players can compete against other players worldwide.

One of the great things about Nintendo Switch Sports Bowling is the level of customization it offers. Players can choose from different characters with unique attributes and styles, including their outfits and accessories. Additionally, players can customize the rules of the game, including the number of frames and the number of pins required to win a frame. This level of customization allows players to tailor their gameplay experience to their specific needs and preferences.

Chambara

Chambara is basically this game’s version of Swordplay from Wii Sports Resort, requiring you to knock your opponent out of the ring to gain points. You can choose one of three weapon types, the sword, which deals the best base knockback, the charged sword, which increases base knockback by successfully blocking strikes, and the twin sword, which lets you spin block and strike with both swords, as well as spin like Link would with his spinning slash. The controls are quite clever, as you will need to position your sword correctly to successfully block and attack the opposition. Last, but certainly not least is Bowling, arguably the most popular activity of Wii Sports.

And it’s just as good as the original. As you continue to improve, you’ll quickly notice that this mode leaves little room for failure though. In just less than an hour, I was able to get consecutive strikes using the same methods. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great way to pass the time with friends and family, owing to its simple gameplay. The same can’t be said for the special lane, a mode that includes obstacles to the bowling lane. This added layer of complexity is what makes bowling my favorite mode in Nintendo Switch Sports, and maybe even the main reason to play this game in the first place. This brings me to my next point: this game can get old really fast in a single-player. 

If you have no one to play with and don’t want to purchase a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription, I honestly can’t recommend this game. Getting players to purchase an online subscription is the not-so-subtle part of this game’s marketing strategy after all, as evidenced by the inability to obtain new clothing options without playing online. That said, while it’s not the must-have title Wii Sports was, if you’re a more casual gamer and want to play online or offline with friends, then Nintendo Switch Sports is absolutely worth a buy.

In conclusion, Nintendo Switch Sports offers a wide variety of sports games that cater to different players’ preferences. Whether you’re a fan of soccer, volleyball, tennis, badminton, chambara, or bowling, there’s a game for you. With realistic physics, motion controls, challenging AI opponents, and various game modes, Nintendo Switch Sports provides an immersive and interactive gaming experience that will keep you entertained for hours.

What do you guys think? I’m curious to know what your favorite sport is in Switch Sports. Let us know in the comment section below, we really wanna hear from you. And as always,, stay with us at Electronic First, where we give you reviews, guides, and hands-on gameplay. Also, be sure to check out our Discord server.

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