Wii Sportsis not talked about as often as other games, especially nowadays, but it is undoubtedly one of the most iconic games of the seventh generation of consoles. Having been paired up with every Wii console, the game was not only memorable for being inevitably part of the libraries of Wii owners, but also for showcasing the Wii’s motion controls andMii characters. Requirement of the Wii Motion Plus aside,Wii Sports Resortwas a sequel that felt like a complete compilation of sports games instead of a promotion of the Wii’s signature features. Now withNintendo Switch Sports, the series is back with a more modern coat of paint.
The appeal of sports compilations is obviously the sports that will be featured in the game. The originalWii Sportssuccessfully integrated five popular sports into the Wii’s trademark, andWii Sports Resortoffered a more diverse and arguably more niche selection of games, contributing to its uniqueness.Nintendo Switch Sportsshould tackle a similar approach by combining the strengths of both the originalWii SportsandWii Sports Resort, creating a roster that will appeal to people with a casual knowledge of sports in addition to the savvier people in the audience.
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Baseball and Boxing Should Be in Nintendo Switch Sports
WithNintendo Switch Sportshaving been releasedin late April 2022, players can now know what’s fully base game. Tennis and bowling are back fromWii Sports, swordplay returned fromWii Sports Resortunder the name “chambara”, and golf is planned to be included in a free update. The game also has three new sports: soccer, volleyball, and badminton. Yet, the game is admittedly lacking in options.Wii Sports Resort, which came out 13 years beforeNintendo Switch Sports, has nearly twice the number of sports. Fans of the previous games will likely be underwhelmed if they expected a more contemporary and polished version of theWii Sportstitles.
The first thing to do would be to bring back baseball and boxing, two popular sports featured in the originalWii Sportsthat have yet to return forNintendo Switch Sports. If a game wants to pride itself on featuring as many sports as possible, then the entirety ofWii Sportsshould be represented. Baseball is not nearly as popular in other areas as it is in North America, which explainswhyMario Super Sluggerswas only released in North America and Japan, but it remains a well-known sport. Boxing, meanwhile, has some unique gameplay compared to other sports that would allow it to stand out.
Basketball, Hockey, and Other Good Options for Nintendo Switch Sports
Wii Sports Resorthas less “traditional” sports and more Olympics-like events. That being said, it features popular activities that would contribute to the diversity ofNintendo Switch Sports. Basketball is the most “traditional” ofthe sports inWii Sports Resortthat has not been added to the Switch game. It is also the most well-known. Nintendo does not have a rich history with basketball, even within the realm ofMariospinoffs, in which the only basketball-themed games areMario Hoops 3-on-3andMario Sports Mix.But ifNintendo Switch Sportsaims to appeal to as many sports fans as possible, basketball should be included.
There are other sports left untouched by theWii Sportsseries thatcould be added toNintendo Switch Sports, most notably hockey. Like with basketball, Nintendo does not much of a history with hockey. To this day, there is not even aMariohockey game, only hockey mini-games inMario-themed sports compilations. Cricket is another surprisingly well-liked sport that could potentially benefit from the Nintendo touch.
Just like otherNintendo sports games likeMario Golf Super Rush, it looks likeNintendo Switch Sportswill get periodic free updates with new content. Despite the problematic habit, this is an opportunity for Nintendo to include as many beloved sports as possible. The game should be the company’s ultimate sports compilation, and it has the potential to be just that.
