Nintendo Switch Sports Resort arrives on the Switch 2, reviving the Wii Sports legacy with improved motion controls and a fresh coat of paint, but it lacks the quirky charm of the original. The game, rated 7/10, offers a fun yet unambitious collection of sports minigames set on the fictional Wuhu Island, now rebranded as Spocco Resort.
A Return to Wuhu Island
Seventeen years after the debut of Wii Sports Resort, and 20 years since the original Wii Sports, the series returns with a new title designed specifically for the Switch 2. The game boasts controls far superior to the old Wii remotes, with enhanced responsiveness that allows for precise actions like dribbling a basketball or flying a plane.
Many classic games return, including tennis, archery, boxing, golf, and basketball. The aerial dogfight has been replaced with a neutral 'prop plane' option, and wakeboarding has been swapped for jet skis. Swordplay, however, has been dropped. New additions include thumb wrestling and skateboarding, which some may find perplexing.
Enhanced Features and New Modes
Switch Sports Resort can be played locally with up to four people sharing a Joy-Con, or online. Each game includes exhaustive tutorials showcasing the Joy-Con's capabilities, though tennis shots can still go haywire. Golf has been upgraded with a tracking camera and terrain map for greater accuracy.
The graphics have been overhauled, replacing the egg-faced Miis with Disney-style cute human faces, customisable outfits, and emotable reactions. For veterans, the Mii customisation option remains, allowing players to recreate their old avatars, which look starkly different from the polished new visuals. Backgrounds feature intricate details, such as a library visible through tennis court windows and ducks floating in ponds.
Progression and Customisation
The game introduces a more structured experience with medals and an Island Crown section, where players compete to rise through the ranks and face an Island Champion. Points earned from performing well can be spent on customising avatars through themed collections, though purchases are random, akin to a lucky dip.
Despite the polish, the game feels like it's missing the pleasing weirdness of the original. The persistent hand-holding tutorials and bland world design, which some might liken to corporate AI, detract from the experience. Games like skateboarding and jet skiing lack ambition, with the latter failing to capture the thrill of wakeboarding's aerial tricks, especially given that Wave Race 64 is 30 years old this year.
Verdict
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a fun but unambitious collection, featuring the best motion controls the series has ever seen, but disappointingly few surprises. It's a perfectly enjoyable way to spend a few hours with family at Christmas, though it's unlikely to draw players back for more.
The game is available for Nintendo Switch 2, priced at £41.99, published by Nintendo and developed by Nintendo EPD. It launches on 22nd November 2026 with an age rating of 7.
