Nintendo Switch Sports is a sports game that wants to be a party game. It bundles five sports together on one cartridge: basketball, football, bowling, volleyball and tennis. The idea is simple: get people together in one room, hand out Joy-Con controllers, and play. The execution is mostly successful, though it falls short of greatness.
Trailer, via Nintendo of America.
Five Sports, One Cartridge
The game splits into separate modes for each sport. Basketball lets you play street ball or full-court matches. Football includes both American and European styles. Bowling, volleyball and tennis round out the set. Each sport plays by its own rules, and each has its own strengths.
Joy-Con Controls
The controls rely on motion tracking. You swing the controller like a racket, toss it like a ball, or hold it steady for a shot. It works well in some sports and less well in others. Tennis feels natural. Football feels awkward. The system rewards players who learn the timing, and punishes those who rush.
Multiplayer Modes
The best mode is the multiplayer tournament. Up to four players can compete in a series of events, switching sports between rounds. This keeps the pace fast and the variety high. Friends sitting together in one room is the whole point, and the game delivers on that promise.
Online Play
Online multiplayer exists too, but it is limited. Matches between two teams can be found through a ranked system. The connection quality depends heavily on your internet speed. Playing online is not as smooth as playing in person, and it does not feel like the main draw of the package.
Presentation
The presentation is bright and cheerful. Character models are cartoonish, and the commentary is cheerful. The game does not take itself seriously, and that is mostly a strength. It is easy to pick up and play for a few minutes, which is exactly what Nintendo intended.
Weak Points
Not everything holds up. The football mode is the weakest link. Passing and catching feel loose, and the game often telegraphs the result of a throw before the player has thrown it. Tennis is the strongest sport, but even there the motion controls sometimes miss the mark.
Value Over Time
Nintendo Switch Sports is not a game you will return to every week. It is a game you will pull out for an hour, then put away until the next gathering. That is fine for a party game, but it limits the appeal for players looking for a deep experience.
A Look at the Sports
| Sport | Best Mode | Control Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Street Ball | Good |
| Football | Ranked Online | Poor |
| Bowling | Tournament | Fair |
| Volleyball | Party Match | Good |
| Tennis | Singles Match | Excellent |
Final Word
Nintendo Switch Sports succeeds as a social game and fails as a deep one. It is best enjoyed with friends in the same room, playing for short periods. It is less satisfying alone or over long stretches. The package offers enough variety to justify its price, but the football mode drags down an otherwise solid collection.
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