More than just Wii nostalgia? Nintendo Switch Sports Resort review
20.10.2026
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Pictures: Domagoj Belancic
In Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, I try my hand at twelve sports – just like in the good old days of the Wii. Despite its appealing sense of nostalgia, I had higher hopes for this title.
You’re about to feel your age. Ready?
…
Still scrolling despite my warning? All right then:
Wii Sports will celebrate its 20th anniversary in November.
Brutal, right?
Nintendo knows just how effective nostalgia is. Shortly before Wii Sports turns 20, a new instalment in this popular mini-game series is being released. Following Switch Sports (2022), which was on the more modest side, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort aims to do everything better – more sports, more game modes and the return of the legendary Wuhu Island. This provided the setting for the action in Wii Sports Resort back in 2009.
I played my way through all twelve sports – both on my own and with friends – at this idyllic resort, and I’ll let you know if this holiday island’s worth returning to.
These sports are included
Switch Sports Resort offers a total of nine competitive sports – including some classics and a great new addition. Below is an overview of all disciplines, including a provisional rating with 🏆 emojis for both single-player and multiplayer modes (on a scale of 1 to 5).
Tennis: this classic’s still fun
This sport was already available in Wii Sports (2006), Wii Sports Club (2013) and Nintendo Switch Sports (2022).
Tennis, just like I remember it from the original Wii Sports. The controls are simple and timeless. Anyone can pick up the controller and start swinging. My timing determines the direction the ball travels. Depending on the shot, I hit it with topspin or backspin, or I play a lob. My characters move automatically.
It’s too bad I can only play doubles. The 2v2 matches are fun with three other players, but controlling both characters at the same time on your own feels weird. Another letdown is that Nintendo has barely evolved the gameplay in the past 20 years. Despite more precise shots, the virtual tennis feels almost exactly like it did back in the Wii days. An expert mode where I could control the characters manually would’ve been a welcome addition.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆🏆🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Bowling: almost perfect
This sport was already available in Wii Sports (2006), Wii Sports Resort (2009), Wii Sports Club (2013) and Nintendo Switch Sports (2022).
Bowling, just like always. Compared to its predecessor – Nintendo Switch Sports – I’m hitting fewer strikes, and my ball often veers off course. But that seems to be a skill issue on my part – it works perfectly fine when my friends give it a go.
It’s great that you can bowl at the same time instead of taking turns – even online. It speeds things up and saves me an anxious wait. Also making a comeback are the tricky obstacle courses and spectacular 100-pin matches – but unfortunately only offline.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Archery: take a deep breath and tremble
This sport was already available in Wii Sports Resort (2009).
This is where precision and a steady hand are key. I aim with the left Joy-Con while drawing my bow with the right one. When shooting, I have to take distance and wind speed into account. On some stages, there are also fun secret targets waiting to be discovered.
Special mode is particularly effective. This is where the target area’s divided. I only get points when I land arrows in my section. If I hit an opponent’s area, they earn points. Thrills guaranteed.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆🏆🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Boxing: still nothing
This sport was already available in Wii Sports (2006) and Wii Sports Club (2013).
Even back in the good old Wii days, I never really got into boxing. The Switch 2’s comeback doesn’t change that. In theory, I can block attacks, dodge them and deliberately exploit gaps in my opponent’s defence. Nintendo has even included a stamina system.
But none of these new features are of any use in practice. In multiplayer games, the winner’s still whoever waves the Joy-Cons around the fastest and most frenetically – button-mashing with motion controls. At least in single-player mode, I can experience more of the nuances of the combat system because the computer-controlled opponents hold back a bit.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆
Volleyball: rhythmic dig shots
This sport was already available in Nintendo Switch Sports (2022).
Volleyball’s only fun with real teammates because it’s all about teamwork and perfect timing. Depending on the position I’m playing, I dig the opponent’s serves, pass the ball to a teammate, set up attacks or block at the net. The whole thing feels almost like a rhythm game, where timing your shots perfectly makes them more powerful. It takes a little while to get the hang of it, but once it clicks, volleyball’s a surprisingly fast-paced and challenging mini-game.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆
Table tennis: the better tennis
This sport was already available in Wii Sports Resort (2009).
Forget tennis. Table tennis is king. The mini version is so much faster and more intense than regular tennis. It’s a hell of a lot of fun to smash the ball onto the edge of the table with millimetre precision and watch your opponent lose their balance. The hectic matches are accompanied by an even more frantic soundtrack, which grows quieter as the rallies go on. I recommend it for both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Basketball: surprisingly good once you get to grips with it
This sport was already available in Wii Sports Resort (2009) and Nintendo Switch Sports (2022).
My first reaction after trying to play basketball by myself was «What a load of crap.» My reaction after playing with friends was «Damn, this is fun!»
I use the Joy-Con to dribble, cut to open space and make passes. To throw the ball, I make a throwing motion. On defence, I try to steal the ball from my opponent or block their shots. The matches are full of little mind games. I need to decide on tactics with my team so we can outsmart our opponents with perfect timing. Basketball’s the most fun with four players in local multiplayer mode.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆
Golf: only for the patient
This sport was already available in Wii Sports (2006), Wii Sports Resort (2009), Wii Sports Club (2013) and Nintendo Switch Sports (2022).
Another classic. Either you love golf or it bores you to tears. I like this calm sport. The Joy-Con turns into a golf club, which I have to swing as straight as possible. With the putter, the game reacts a little too sensitively to my inputs for my liking. The 18 holes on offer look very similar, causing boredom to set in, especially during longer golf sessions. In online mode, wait times are reduced through a knockout system – everyone plays at the same time and the weakest players are eliminated each round.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆🏆🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆
Thumb wrestling: only fun with friends
This sport will be available for the first time in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort (2026).
Is thumb wrestling a sport? According to Nintendo it is. This new discipline may look silly, but it’s surprisingly fun. I hold the Joy-Con 2 vertically and move my virtual finger back and forth using motion controls. The goal is to push my opponent’s thumb down. If I lower my own, it recharges and gets bigger. This helps me defeat my challenger, but it also makes me easier to hit in the process. If my foe pushes my thumb down, I free myself by struggling wildly(!), shaking the controller. My arm still hurts days later after an intense session playing against friends. A fun mind game, but one that’s only enjoyable when played against real opponents.
Conclusion:
Single-player: 🏆
Multiplayer: 🏆🏆🏆
New and old «recreational sports»
In addition to competitive sports, Switch Sports Resort also offers three «recreational sports». In these disciplines, the focus isn’t on direct competition, but on time trials and exploring Wuhu Island.
Prop plane
In this sport, I hold the Joy-Con controller between my thumb and index finger, like a paper plane. That’s how I control the prop plane in the game with small movements. I press A to shoot blue balls that pop balloons. The controls are precise, but take some getting used to.
I use the plane to explore Wuhu Island however I want – just like in Wii Sports Resort. In the Sightseeing Tour, I try to find as many hidden photo spots as possible within a time limit, revealing fun facts about the island. In Balloon Battle, I compete against other players to collect as many balloons as possible.
I remain fascinated by the concept of an interlinked game world in which all the individual mini-games take place. Flying over the bowling alley in a plane and then zooming off to the neighbouring golf island is just cool.
But I’ve already experienced all of that in Wii Sports Resort. With the prop plane, Nintendo has a damn good gameplay foundation that isn’t being utilised nearly enough. I think back with a pang of nostalgia to the excellent Pilotwings Resort (2011). This 3DS flight game, set on the same island, showed just how varied flight missions can be in this idyllic resort.
Without more challenging missions, all that remains in Switch Sports Resort is merely a rudimentary framework, leaving a bitter aftertaste from its untapped potential.
Skateboarding
Besides thumb wrestling, skateboarding is the second new sport in Switch Sports Resort. The controls are even more bizarre than those of the plane. I use the Joy-Con in mouse mode; I pull it back to accelerate and steer by tilting it to the left or right. Jerking upward movements make my character jump. I can even do grinds on railings and tricks in the air.
It all works surprisingly well, feels intuitive and is good fun. The controls remind me of Nintendo’s wheelchair game Drag X Drive – only less exhausting.
On the board, I tour the island, tick off photo spots on the Sightseeing Tour and race against the clock on challenging courses. That’s it. No competing against opponents, no obstacle courses, no other missions. The bottom line is the same as with the prop plane – a brilliant gameplay foundation, a fascinating game world and untapped potential.
Jet skiing
The jet ski from Wii Sports Resort is back. I hold two Joy-Cons horizontally, accelerate using ZR and ZL and steer by tilting the controllers. Twisting my wrist activates the turbo. The controls are unpredictable here, too, but they’re surprisingly intuitive and fun.
Now guess what game modes are available. Exactly. Free exploration, Sightseeing Tour and time trials. Three recreational sports, each with similarly limited options. That’s too bad, because the jet ski would be perfect for more exciting missions.
These sports are NOT included
Not all sports from previous Sports titles made it into Switch Sports Resort. The following sports are missing:
- Sword-fighting/chanbara – Wii Sports Resort (2009), Nintendo Switch Sports (2022)
- Wakeboarding – Wii Sports Resort (2009)
- Frisbee (including frisbee golf mode) – Wii Sports Resort (2009)
- Canoeing – Wii Sports Resort (2009)
- Cycling – Wii Sports Resort (2009)
- Skydiving – Wii Sports Resort (2009)
- Football – Nintendo Switch Sports (2022)
- Badminton – Nintendo Switch Sports (2022)
- Baseball – Wii Sports (2006), Wii Sports Club (2013)
While I understand why they left out that terrible football mini-game, the absence of classics like frisbee and baseball is noticeable. If Nintendo are taking me back to the legendary Wuhu Island, they should also include all the mini-games from the previous titles. Once again, a great deal of potential remains untapped.
What else is there?
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort offers a campaign system for single-player mode. In Island Crown, I face off against the 20 best athletes on Wuhu Island in nine competitive sports. Rank by rank, I battle my way to the top until I’m crowned the island champion myself.
It’s a neat idea that keeps me motivated, at least when it comes to my favourite sports. But the difficulty level is uneven – I breeze through weaker opponents, but the highest-ranked ones drive me to the brink of madness with their superhuman abilities and luck.
I swear that scumbag’s cheating at archery!
Making progress in slower-paced sports like golf becomes a tedious and repetitive ordeal. Even lighthearted games like thumb wrestling aren’t really a good fit for endless ranked matches – the gameplay simply isn’t complex or exciting enough to motivate me to reach the top.
Online, I compete against friends and players from all over the world – either in casual mode or in ranked matches. With each victory, I work my way up from rank E to rank A. While testing out the game, I have limited online access and mostly play against bots. So at this point I can’t give a final judgement on the full potential of online mode.
All game modes and sports are tied together by an overarching progression system. For every match, every victory and every photo spot I find, I earn points that I can redeem for cosmetic items at the Item Center. The selection changes weekly and a bevvy of objects is available even during the trial phase.
If you enjoy customising your character, you’re sure to have a lot of fun with these rewards. But I’d like to see more substantial unlockables. I’m talking items that affect gameplay – better bats, faster planes or even new settings for the sports. Items that are purely cosmetic don’t motivate me enough in the long run.
That looks funny
Visually, Switch Sports Resort leaves a lacklustre impression. Compared to other Switch 2 titles, this collection of mini-games looks dated, with its blocky objects, muddy textures and sometimes poor visibility. At least the game runs smoothly at 60 fps.
The soulless creatures called Sportsmates, which Nintendo already introduced in Switch Sports, are partly responsible for my negative impression. Maybe it’s just nostalgia talking, but nothing beats the original Miis. I can still select them as game characters, though. But if the rest of the game is full of Sportsmates, I feel like a big part of the original charm of the Sports series is lost.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort was released on 22 October for the Switch 2. Nintendo provided me with the game for testing purposes.
In a nutshell
A decent collection of mini-games with a nostalgic appeal and untapped potential
Switch Sports Resort knocks its modest predecessor, Switch Sports (2022), out of the park. This collection of mini-games boasts more sports, more single-player content and a bevvy of cosmetic items. I’m delighted that the legendary Wuhu Island’s back – and I get to explore it by plane, skateboard and jet ski.
Unfortunately, Nintendo doesn’t take full advantage of the idyllic resort’s potential. The well-executed gameplay fundamentals of the recreational sports, in particular, deserve more exciting game modes. The progression system also relies too heavily on repetition and cosmetic rewards that are for the most part worthless. On top of that, the graphics are lacklustre and classics like frisbee and sword-fighting are missing. What’s more, many of the sports are only really fun when you play them at home with friends.
If you’re looking for an entertaining party game for local multiplayer, go for it. Otherwise, you should think carefully about whether you want to return to Wuhu Island or would rather dig out the good old Wii with the even better old Miis.
Pro
- A wider selection of games than in the previous title
- Intuitive motion controls
- Loads of customisation options for characters
- Wuhu Island’s back, baby!
Contra
- Underwhelming graphics
- Repetitive progression system
- Untapped potential, especially for recreational sports
- Some classic sports are missing
Header image: Nintendo
Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
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