It’s basically the dream of every dad gamer to eventually play video games with his kids, and while I haven’t forced the hobby on my own, nor did I ever intend to, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort recently gave me a reason to at least open the door. Until this year, my 6-year-old daughter actually wasn’t old enough to play just anything, as we do like to monitor what she consumes, but considering her hands aren’t even big enough to hold and use an Xbox or PlayStation controller properly, she hasn’t really had the option of playing most games. The Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers, however, are the perfect size for her little hands, and I actually got to test that out with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort—a family-friendly party game that she has been in love with lately, though she can’t quite participate in every activity the game has to offer just yet.
Of course, I’ve been playing Nintendo Switch Sports Resort plenty myself, too, and I’ve been doing everything I can to get my wife to play it with me as well. It really is, in my opinion, one of the best party games ever made, and I honestly think it’s worth a purchase for anyone who wants something cozier, more forgiving, and something that will get them off of their couch or bed to move around a bit. But the best thing about it, by far, is how it has become the catalyst for a massive milestone in my house, being the first video game I’ve ever played with one of my kids. Honestly, I didn’t think this day would come, as my daughter hasn’t ever been all that interested in the games that I play, despite asking me questions about them. However, it’s finally here, and I have Nintendo Switch Sports Resort to thank for it.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Gave Me a Way to Bond With My Daughter Through Gaming
Now, the reason I’m just now starting to play video games with one of my kids should be pretty obvious at this point—she’s 6. I understand some parents have probably gotten their kids into gaming at younger ages than that, but we try to limit screen time in our house, though we’ve never been closed off to the idea of screens in general. Also, again, there just isn’t a whole lot out there that’s suitable for a 6-year-old girl. Maybe Bluey’s Happy Snaps, since we’re all massive Bluey fans, but not much else. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, on the other hand, is not only something that I’d consider age-appropriate for my daughter, but also a game that we can play together. And that’s its biggest selling point in my eyes.
Her favorite sport to play right now is actually Prop Plane, which just so happens to be one of the main reasons I bought the game anyway. The thing about this particular sport is that it’s just incredibly easy for anyone, thanks to the improved accelerometer and gyroscope built into the Joy-Con 2 controllers. All you need to do is hold the Joy-Con 2 so that it’s parallel to the ground, and then simply moving it around using your wrist causes the Prop Plane to move accordingly. Of course, I usually set her up with the exploration-based, goalless, untimed version of the activity, but it’s still enough to keep her captivated for an incredibly long time. All she needs is something curious off in the distance to fly toward, and she’s sucked in.
Guess the games from the emojis.
But as far as what we play together goes, bowling is by far the easiest sport for her to pick up on, and her skills actually improve every time she plays. One of the reasons Nintendo Switch Sports Resort bowling is so easy for her, though, is because of how simple it is in its mechanics. Firstly, it only requires the use of one Joy-Con 2 controller, and bowling is as simple as holding down the trigger while you swing your arm back and forward again. Secondly, the concept of getting the ball as close to the center as possible to try and knock all the pins down is about as straightforward as it gets. In fact, I only had to mention that once or twice before trial and error kicked in, and she was already correcting her own mistakes without my input.
She also loved getting to create her own Mii character to use, and as a girl who absolutely loves the idea of earning cosmetic rewards, earning money to spend on customization options makes her more invested in the game overall. At this point, I wish I could focus more on the fun I’m having just playing the game without thinking about what I’m earning, because that’s something that, as a kid, she has mastered. She’ll play games on her Amazon Fire Kids tablet for an hour during quiet time without thinking about all the stuff she’s earning, and then I’ll look at the screen, only to discover she has pooled a massive amount of wealth. She’s been playing Nintendo Switch Sports Resort the same way, although she’s still learning that you don’t have to win a game to have fun playing it.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Gave Me a Gaming Memory I’ll Never Forget
I’m definitely looking forward to trying other games with my daughter now, especially as she gets older and becomes more capable of playing games that require a little more coordination. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll be exploring Hyrule together or going on some grand adventure in a massive RPG, but I’m not in any rush to get there. For now, I’m just grateful that Nintendo Switch Sports Resort has given us something we can enjoy together, and I’m honestly still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’ve finally played a video game with one of my kids.
I’ve been playing games for over 30 years now, and I’ve had some pretty unforgettable experiences along the way, but this one is different. This is a milestone I’ve been looking forward to ever since I became a dad, even if I never knew whether it would actually happen. And while my daughter probably won’t remember every strike she gets in bowling or every little island she discovers in Prop Plane, I’ll always remember that Nintendo Switch Sports Resort was where our gaming journey together began.
- Released
-
October 22, 2026
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
