I played Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and it fixes my biggest Switch Sports gripe

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort brings the series’ iconic motion-fueled gameplay to the Switch 2 with polished visuals, a couple of new sports and, of course, the return of fan-favorites like golf and bowling.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, this new, tropical-themed entry in the series builds on the groundwork laid by 2022’s Switch Sports. Of the 12 total activities in Switch Sports Resort, seven are directly from its predecessor. While Miis make a return as well, so too do Nintendo’s more modern and detailed Sportsmates avatars. However, instead of grinding online to earn Spocco Points to unlock new outfits and in-game items, you can now do so through both single-player and local multiplayer too.

In addition to changing its look and layout, Nintendo has added new ways to explore Wuhu Island. While you can fly around the island in a prop plane, you can also do so by water on a jet ski or even on the ground with your skateboard. Although these various traversal methods provide a nice break from the action, I still wish we had some other new sports besides skateboarding, thumb wrestling and the warm-up game jump rope. We might see some additional sports and activities added in a future update, though.

Having spent the past five days putting the game through its paces, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is an absolute blast for both returning players and newcomers alike. But is it one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games and a must play? Find out in my full review.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort: The Basics

• What is it? The latest motion-party game in Nintendo’s popular sports franchise, packing 12 different events across the iconic Wuhu Island.
• Who is it for? Series veterans looking to revisit classic sports with upgraded visuals, as well as newcomers wanting an active, motion-controlled showcase for their Switch 2.
• What’s the price? Nintendo Switch Sports Resort costs $49 for the digital version or $59 for the physical edition.
• What other games has the developer made? Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is from the same internal Nintendo team behind 2022’s Nintendo Switch Sports and other active Switch titles like 1-2-Switch and Ring Fit Adventure.
• What games is it similar to? It combines the modern structure of 2022's Nintendo Switch Sports with the tropical setting, island exploration, and event roster of Wii Sports Resort.

Seeing Wuhu Island with new eyes

Although Switch Sports on the original Nintendo Switch was a massive visual leap, taking in the revamped Wuhu Island on Switch 2 in crisp 4K at a steady 60 fps is even more impressive.

From the first time I booted up the game, it was clear that Nintendo put a lot of polish into the visuals—from the island’s vibrant scenery all the way down to its crisp menus.

Switch Sports Resort retains the fun, cartoony look of its predecessor, but details like clothing textures and water reflections really pop on the new hardware. Character models feature noticeably smoother edges, and the courses you compete on look cleaner than ever thanks to enhanced anti-aliasing.

While this is fundamentally a return to Wuhu Island, the care and attention to detail across the board almost make it feel like you’re experiencing this classic tropical resort for the first time, even as a veteran player.

Exploring by air, land and sea

Taking to the skies in Prop Plane to shoot down balloons was first introduced in Wii Sports Resort, but thanks to key tweaks and more responsive controls, it feels even better than before. This time around, you also collect photographs of key landmarks around Wuhu Island while holding a single Joy-Con 2 flat in your hand like a paper airplane.

Both my 4-year-old son and I had a lot of fun trying to see and collect everything in Prop Plane. However, this isn’t the only way to traverse Wuhu Island. Aboard a jet ski in Power Cruising, you can do the same thing on the water while holding two Joy-Con 2 controllers extended in front of you like handlebars. Twisting one controller up like a throttle for a quick speed boost never got old, either.

Finally, you can take to the streets (and even the grass) on your skateboard to explore Wuhu Island from the ground. This uses a Joy-Con 2 in mouse mode, and my son took to this control scheme almost instantly after playing Drag x Drive on the Switch 2. Far from an accurate portrayal of skateboarding, this activity’s arcadey feel provided a great break from competing in the rest of the game’s traditional sports.

Sharper slices, tighter controls

There have been plenty of games — from Donkey Kong Bananza to the excellent port of Cyberpunk 2077 — that showcase the Switch 2’s added power and graphical capabilities. However, Switch Sports Resort is the first to really highlight what its Joy-Con 2 controllers can do.

Much like the jump from Wii Remotes to the original Joy-Cons, the Joy-Con 2’s enhanced motion tracking makes every sport and activity in this game feel significantly more responsive. Outside of my time on the golf course, this upgrade stood out most while playing Table Tennis. Quick wrist flicks to return a fast serve felt almost instantaneous, and thanks to the tighter tracking, shots I didn't think I'd reach somehow landed right on my opponent’s side of the table.

Chasing the Island Crown

One of the biggest criticisms of Switch Sports was how the game focused heavily on online multiplayer. Though you could play by yourself, there wasn’t much incentive to do so — you couldn't collect Spocco Points unless you were playing in the game’s restricted Trial Mode. Fortunately, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort fixes this with a dedicated single-player mode that offers a clear progression path.

In Island Crown mode, you take on increasingly difficult CPU opponents across nine different sports — from Archery to Volleyball — to boost your rank. Once you reach the top of a sport's ladder, you go head-to-head against formidable Island Champions, including returning Wii Sports Mii legend Matt.

While you can occasionally jump multiple spots when playing particularly well, each sport features 20 distinct opponents to defeat. Given the sheer depth across all nine sports, I focused primarily on Golf. Climbing the bottom ranks by playing three-hole matches was breezy enough, but things got noticeably tougher — though never unfair — as I closed in on the Island Champion.

Even if you don’t have family or friends nearby or an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, Island Crown mode delivers a beefy single-player campaign to keep you coming back for more. It’s also a good way to practice before your next game night.

Local parties, global lobbies

With just a single Switch 2 console, you can play Switch Sports Resort locally with up to four players. When playing head-to-head sports like Tennis, Table Tennis, and Volleyball, a single Joy-Con 2 per player is all you need. If you don’t want to pick up an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers, you can also use Joy-Cons from your original Switch to play every sport except Skateboarding — which makes local couch co-op a whole lot more accessible.

Even though this was his first time using motion controls, my son took to Switch Sports Resort quickly. After trying out a few activities on his own, we each grabbed a Joy-Con 2 and played through several matches together. While we had a blast with Table Tennis, his favorite was Boxing. There’s a fair bit of strategy with blocking and weaving, but he happily delivered punch after punch until both he and his avatar were out of breath.

Given that I played Switch Sports Resort ahead of its official launch, my online multiplayer sessions were spent alongside fellow journalists and Nintendo representatives. We had a great time bowling, golfing, aiming for targets in Archery, and stepping into the boxing ring. In Golf, for instance, I joined an eight-player match and managed to come out on top after a few tight holes. Then in Knockout Bowling, a full 16-player roster was whittled down round by round until I once again emerged victorious.

Whether I was on the golf course — playing classic holes from Wii Sports mixed with courses from Switch Sports — or on the lanes, I really enjoyed watching other players take their turns while throwing up emoji-style reactions between shots. Online play felt remarkably smooth without any noticeable lag, offering a fun, lively change of pace from local co-op and Island Crown mode.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort review: Verdict

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a triumphant return to form for Nintendo’s active, motion-based gameplay, complete with crisp, upgraded 4K visuals. Exploring the redesigned Wuhu Island by air, land, and sea helps break up the action, while the new Island Crown mode gives you a genuine reason to keep playing when friends go home or you're offline. While I certainly would’ve liked to see a few more sports added to the initial lineup, Thumb Wrestling is a blast and the way Skateboarding utilizes the new Joy-Con 2 is genuinely clever.

Although you can play several of these activities in Switch Sports, Wuhu Island’s tropical resort setting ties everything together beautifully. Whether you’re a seasoned Wii Sports veteran or looking to introduce your own kids to the joy of motion gaming, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a delightfully polished experience — one that will likely only get better as future updates arrive.