What parents need to know
“Oh great, a Switch 2 update for Nintendo Switch Sports!” I exclaimed when I saw the first trailer for Nintendo Switch Sports Resort in the Nintendo Direct.
This was a mistake on my part because Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a sequel to the Nintendo Switch Sports of the Nintendo Switch 1. This Resort episode is exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2 and is released for the 2026 holiday season, just before the behemoth, the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time remake.
It is also the fourth episode of Nintendo’s “Sports” series:
Wii Sports
Wii Sports Resort
Nintendo Switch Sports
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort
Here is the list of sports on offer: Archery, Boxing, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Bowling, Basketball, Golf, Thumb Fighting, Skateboarding, High-Speed Cruising, and Propeller Plane. The last 3 sports mentioned are leisure activities and offer you to move quietly on the island of Wuhu. They also have competitive split-screen modes.
Skipping rope is a sport that is used to warm up.
If some of the sports seem similar to those of the previous game, they have, they have been added here with a small graphical overhaul and some modifications.
Note that there is no longer any need for the strap to play Soccer/Football since this sport is no longer present in this title.
All games are played with 1 or 2 joy-cons of the Switch 2 or 1 in motion sensor mode, i.e. you will not be able to play the game in portable mode. You will have to put the Switch 2 on a table to then move your arms and make the movements with the joy-con in hand.
To play with others, each player will need to have their 1 or 2 joy-cons.
The game was provided by the publisher for review purposes. It does not influence our opinion.
Details
Level of experience required
| Age | 3+ | 7+ | 12+ | 16+ | 18+ |
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| Experienced | |
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Evaluation
Little violence. Some characters can be hit by bullets, stealing games.
Only the boxing game punches like in a cartoon.
none
Adapted for children. Requires knowing how to read for years to understand the instructions.
Encourages sport and movement, cooperation and competition.
Several difficulty levels available. Requires a small learning curve for each game.
No problem.
Local game modes
In addition to the mini-games described, and their variants, there is an Island Crown mode, which allows single-player players to take on a series of console-controlled opponents to climb the ranks and earn points.
Online Game Modes
All 12 mini-games are playable online. Partly classified or not.
When the game doesn’t find you human opponents, they replace them with console-controlled opponents (CPUs).
You can also play with friends exclusively.
Our opinion
I really like Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. I want to live on Wuhu Island! As with its predecessor, it’s the art direction that does everything for me. The entire paradise island environment is a pleasure to explore from all angles.
And during the game phases, the sound effects and background music are particularly neat and make the experience particularly enjoyable.
Each mini-game can be played in a few minutes, and is ideal for pecking at game sessions with friends or family. Each of them also offers different controls and a particular way of playing.
There is a tutorial before each of them, and especially in this episode you can activate the tutorial whenever you want. Ideal for when friends are coming home but haven’t explored the game yet. This is an improvement compared to the previous title. There are also slides to quickly remind you of the rules of the game.
Archery
Matches of 1 to 4 players. Playable simultaneously or in turns. With 3 or 4 players, it is possible to play by swapping pairs of joy-cons alternately.
You hold the 2 joy-cons straight in front of you, you move the right joy-con back, you aim and release the trigger to fire. I find the concept very well thought out and fun.
Boxing
Match with 1 or 2 players. Playable only in 2-player TV mode.
You brandish the 2 joy-cons forward as if you were punching. Similar to Wii boxing. Entertaining.
Table Tennis
Match of 1 to 2 players. 1 joy-con per person.
Return Challenge from 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. Return as many balls as possible.
Tennis
Match of 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person.
Laid Back Match of 1 to 2 players. 1 joy-con per person. Easier matches with a big, slow ball.
The characters move on their own on the field. You have to move the joy-con quickly to hit the ball at the right time.
Volleyball
Match of 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person.
Bump to the beat. 1 joy-con per person. Training to have the right timings during the matches.
The characters move on their own on the field. You have to move the joy-con quickly to hit the ball at the right time.
Bowling
Match of 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person.
100 Pin Game from 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. A funny variation of bowling with 100 pins instead of 10.
Basketball
Match of 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person.
Three Point Challenge for 1 player. 1 joy-con per person. Training for 3-point baskets.
Three Point Contest for 2 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. Basket shooting competition.
Five Streak Battle for 2 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. 5-basket shooting competition in a row.
Golf
Match of 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person.
Thumb Fight
Match of 1 to 2 players. 1 joy-con per person.
The most highlighted mini-game in Nintendo’s communication because of its funny aspect. The characters suddenly have huge fists and have to do a thumb fight.
Skateboarding
Sightseeing round from 1 to 2 players. 1 joy-con per person. Find the most cameras on the island in 5 minutes.
Skate Sprint from 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. Skate racing.
Free Play from 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. Free trip to the island by plane.
The weakest game of the lot in my opinion because it is played in mouse mode on a table while everything else is played standing up. The movements to speed up require you to lift the mouse several times as if you were ironing a shirt, and unfortunately you have to do it very often because skateboarding decelerates very quickly.
High-speed cruising
Sightseeing round from 1 to 2 players. 1 joy-con per person. Find the most cameras on the island in 5 minutes.
Sea Sprint from 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. Seadoo races.
Free Play from 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. Free trip to the island by plane.
Your character drives a Seadoo (Jet-Ski, Motorcycle Marine) and can either explore the island, compete, or find items in a limited time. The 2 joy-cons should be used as a motorcycle handlebar. Nintendo’s imagination will always surprise me.
Propeller Aircraft
Sightseeing round from 1 to 2 players. 1 joy-con per person. Find the most cameras on the island in 5 minutes.
Ball Battle for 2 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. A fight to get the most balloons before the time runs out.
Free Play from 1 to 4 players. 1 joy-con per person. Free trip to the island by plane. It is possible to fire projectiles, but it is useless to my knowledge.
Remember when you were little and played with a plastic airplane? You held it from underneath. And here it’s the same, you have to hold the joy-con in the same way and tilt it to get on or off the plane. The difference is that you no longer need to make the noises of the plane at your mouth. 🙂
Conclusion
Each game played earns points. When you have 1000 points, you can get cosmetic items for your character. These are available randomly on 2 or 3 gift cards. Unfortunately and just like in the Nintendo Switch Sports of the Switch 1, the cosmetic items are available in a limited time, and the cards expire after a few days. It’s a frustrating aspect for people who can’t play every day, but I understand the approach of wanting to encourage people to play often. After an hour of playing, the game will ask you if you want to take a break, like in Wii games back in the day.
Despite this, I can only recommend Nintendo Switch Sports Resort for everyone. There is plenty of fun for a long time, it is very easy to handle and is beautiful. I am going back with great pleasure.
