It feels like it has been forever since Nintendo Switch Sports Resort was revealed, when, in all actuality, it has only been a few months. The reason it has felt like forever to someone like me, though, is because I’ve been anxiously awaiting the moment I would get my hands on it during those months. But, at last, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is finally here, and I’ve already put a solid several hours into it. In my opinion, this might be Nintendo’s best party game yet, and not just because it convinced me to get out of bed to play my Nintendo Switch 2. More than anything else, it’s making the idea of motion controls feel exciting again—a form of gameplay I’ve personally been detached from since the glory days of the Nintendo Wii.
I’ve never really had a problem with motion controls. I just think there’s a time and place for them, and unfortunately, there have been plenty of games over the years that didn’t seem to understand that. I mean, swinging a controller to hit a tennis ball makes sense, but having to shake it around to perform some ordinary action that could have just as easily been assigned to a button? No, thanks. Fortunately, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort understands what makes motion controls worth using in the first place, and it’s made me realize just how much I’ve missed having a game that actually takes advantage of them.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Reminds Me Why Motion Controls Were So Popular
When the Nintendo Wii launched in 2006, motion controls were practically revolutionary. Sure, they existed before then, but Nintendo made them accessible in a way that hadn’t really been done before, and Wii Sports was arguably the biggest reason for that. At that point, people who had never played a video game in their lives were picking up Wii Remotes and bowling, boxing, and playing tennis like they’d been doing it for years. But as time went on, the novelty of motion controls started wearing off, especially once developers began using them in games that didn’t really benefit from them. Eventually, traditional controls became preferable again, and while motion controls never completely disappeared, they certainly weren’t the phenomenon they once were.
Well, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is doing its best to change that, and I think it’s off to a pretty good start. For one, the Joy-Con 2 controllers are surprisingly responsive, making even some of the more demanding activities feel natural after a little practice. More importantly, though, the game gives me a reason to actually want to use motion controls, rather than simply requiring them for the sake of it. There’s a decent amount of variety here, too, with 12 different activities to choose from, including some returning favorites and a handful of new ones that make particularly good use of the Switch 2’s hardware.
Every Activity in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and How Fun It Is With Motion Controls
- Tennis: Simple, familiar, and still incredibly fun.
- Bowling: Easily one of the most satisfying activities.
- Golf: Great fun, especially when trying to perfect a swing.
- Boxing: Entertaining, though the controls can be finicky.
- Archery: Surprisingly satisfying, especially when landing a bullseye.
- Table Tennis: Excellent precision that makes every shot feel important.
- Basketball: Fun, but some movements feel a little awkward.
- Volleyball: Easy to learn, though a bit repetitive.
- Thumb Wrestling: Ridiculous in the best possible way.
- Skateboarding: One of the most creative uses of Joy-Con 2.
- Power Cruising: A fun excuse to race around Wuhu Island.
- Prop Plane: Surprisingly enjoyable, especially when exploring the island.
Obviously, not every activity is going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and I would be lying if I said they were all equally enjoyable. But that’s also something I appreciate about Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. If I get tired of bowling, I can go play a few rounds of tennis. If I don’t feel like competing against anyone, I can hop into a plane and fly around Wuhu Island for a while (personally, my favorite activity, by far). Skateboarding is especially interesting, considering it takes advantage of the Joy-Con 2’s mouse controls rather than relying on the same gestures players have been using since the Wii era. It’s a pretty clever idea, and I’d love to see Nintendo experiment with that sort of thing more often.
The game also has a surprising amount to offer anyone who prefers playing alone, which is something I wasn’t necessarily expecting from a party game. Island Crown gives players a series of opponents to work their way through, while Wuhu Island itself is full of places to explore and things to collect. Granted, I still think Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is at its best when other people are involved, but I appreciate that Nintendo has given me a reason to keep playing even when I’m by myself. Plus, being able to earn rewards without having to play online is a welcome change from Nintendo Switch Sports.
I don’t necessarily expect Nintendo Switch Sports Resort to kick off another motion control craze like Wii Sports did 20 years ago, nor do I think it really needs to. Gaming has changed quite a bit since then, and I can’t imagine most players would be thrilled if motion controls suddenly became mandatory in everything again. But after spending several hours with it, I’ve already found myself wanting to play more, which is something I haven’t been able to say about a motion-controlled game in quite some time. Whether that feeling will last remains to be seen, but for now, I’m just glad Nintendo has given me a reason to get off the couch and swing my arms around again.
- Released
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October 22, 2026
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
