Nintendo Switch Sports Explained

Nintendo Switch Sports
Developer:Nintendo EPD
Publisher:Nintendo
Series:Wii
Platforms:Nintendo Switch
Released:April 29, 2022
Genre:Sports
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer
Director:Yoshikazu Yamashita
Producer:Kouichi Kawamoto
Takayuki Shimamura
Designer:Hirotake Otsubo
Yoji Kamikawa
Koji Kitagawa
Kazuhiro Yoshikawa
Atsuto Yagi
Ryosuke Suzuki
Sota Omiya
Ikki Niwa
Programmer:Yuki Onozawa
Hideyuki Tatsuta
Kenji Iwata
Artist:Junji Morii
Gurihiru
Composer:Haruko Torii
Takuhiro Honda

is a sports simulation video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the latest entry in the Wii series of games and the fourth game of the Wii Sports subseries, as well as the first to replace the "Wii" title.[1] [2] The game was released on April 29, 2022, and received generally mixed reviews from critics. Nintendo Switch Sports has sold over 13.11 million copies as of March 31, 2024, making it one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games.[3] The game features eight sports: Volleyball, Badminton, Bowling, Golf, Soccer, Chambara, Tennis and Basketball.

Gameplay

Nintendo Switch Sports is set in a fictional multisport facility named Spocco Square,[4] which contains three sports from previous installments (Tennis and Bowling from Wii Sports and Swordplay from Wii Sports Resort; the latter is referred to as Chambara within the game) and three new sports (soccer, volleyball, and badminton).[5] Another sport from a previous installment, Golf, was announced as well and was issued in a free update on November 29, 2022.[6] As part of the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced the addition of Basketball (previously featured in Wii Sports Resort), which was released as a free update on July 10.

Players utilize the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con in a similar manner to the other Wii Sports games, positioning them in a manner resembling the actual sport. The gyroscope functionality embedded within the Joy-Con is used to simulate motion in-game,[7] compared to the usage of the Wii Remote (and occasionally the Nunchuk)[8] to simulate motion in the other games in the series.[9] [10]

Alongside Miis, new avatars called "Sportsmates" have been introduced,[11] [12] which have more detailed hair and faces as well as arms and legs.[13] Additionally, the Leg Strap accessory introduced in Ring Fit Adventure is included in the physical copy of the game and is usable in Football. At launch, the leg strap only worked for Football Shootout Mode. As of the Summer update launched in July 2022, the leg strap can now be used for all Football match types.

The game has multiplayer available both locally on the same system and online. Local matchmaking allows up to four local players to participate in games together in a similar manner to previous entries in the series. Online allows up to two local players to play with friends and participate in random matchmaking over the internet.[14]

Development

The game was announced in a Nintendo Direct on February 9, 2022, with a release date of April 29, 2022.[15] A free-to-play online playtest of the game to test functionality and stability was available to register on February 15, 2022, for those with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The playtest was available to play during specific times on February 18 to 20, 2022.[16] [17]

Takayuki Shimamura, who directed all the Wii Sports series, returned to this title as producer, and Yoshikazu Yamashita, who directed Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, returned as director. The project started a while after the Nintendo Switch system was released. Yoshiaki Koizumi, Senior Executive Officer, Deputy General Manager of Nintendo EPD, and general producer of the Nintendo Switch, called Yamashita and requested the development of a Nintendo Switch title in the Wii Sports series. According to Yamashita, 90% of the members of the development team were new members who weren't part of the past Wii series titles.[18]

Development of post-release content has faced setbacks. In September 2022, Nintendo announced that the golf game mode, which was previously targeted for release in fall 2022, would be delayed to winter.[19] In October 2022, an update intended to address cheating in online play was released with a bug that caused the game to crash in both online and offline modes, forcing Nintendo to stop distributing the update and take the game's servers offline until a solution could be found.[20] [21]

Reception

According to review aggregator Metacritic, the game received "mixed or average" reviews from critics upon release.

Nintendo World Report praised the minigames for being easy to pick up, but criticized the Joy-Con motion controls, saying that it had "removed a little bit of variance and nuance". GamesRadar+ liked the new soccer mini game, writing that it was "brilliantly chaotic when another human player gets involved in local multiplayer".[22] While enjoying the game for family-friendly entertainment, The Guardian disliked volleyball, stating, "the pace is slow and the movements too obvious".[23] VG247 felt that the motions used in each game captured the feeling of the sports, even if they were only approximations.[24]

Game Informer enjoyed the gear unlock system in the game, "this simple progression system kept me engaged and eager to dive back into the action". Conversely, Destructoid criticized it for being too online-centric, "all of the game’s long-term reward systems are directly linked to online play... For a game that made its money on local play, this seems like a bummer".[25] IGN liked the flexibility of badminton, and called attention to its use of HD Rumble, saying that the Joy-Con gave off "precise haptic feedback that I could feel in my hand whenever the racquet connected with the birdie to make a satisfying *ting* sensation". The Verge disliked the simplicity of the racquet-based sports, "The games are still fun, but I wish I could have had more strategy to play them than 'swing your arm and pray'".[26] The Washington Post felt that the AI partner could make volleyball too easy, writing that it "could work around just about anything to bail me out. I don’t think I ever really lost unless I completely whiffed on an attempt".[27]

Nintendo Life wrote that the game suffered from a lack of content outside the main sports, "If you want to play one of the six sports, you're golden. If you want anything to spice it up, you're more than likely going to be left wanting. We know we were". GameSpot criticized the lack of single-player options, saying "It quickly began feeling repetitive... If playing Nintendo Switch Sports with others is a joyous communal experience, playing alone is a depressingly isolating one". Polygon felt it captured the joy of the original Wii Sports but noted that the motion controls felt like a step down from Resort.[28]

Sales

The game sold nearly 190,000 copies in its first week in Japan, topping the weekly sales charts.[29] Similarly, the game topped the weekly sales charts in the UK,[30] South Korea and Taiwan.[31] In the United States, it charted at number 5 for the month of April based on physical sales alone, becoming the second best-selling new release of the month, behind .[32]

Nintendo Switch Sports has sold over 13.11 million copies as of March 31, 2024.

It was nominated for the British Academy Games Award for Family at the 19th British Academy Games Awards[33] and Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2022.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . February 9, 2022 . Nintendo Switch is getting a Wii Sports sequel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220415171312/https://www.polygon.com/22926106/nintendo-switch-wii-sports-sequel-release-date . April 15, 2022 . February 10, 2022 . Polygon . en-US.
  2. Web site: 'Nintendo Switch Sports' brings bowling, tennis and more on April 29th . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220309005052/https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-switch-sports-230340716.html . March 9, 2022 . February 10, 2022 . Engadget . February 9, 2022 . en-US.
  3. Web site: Financial Results Explanatory Material. Nintendo. May 8, 2024. May 8, 2024. May 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240507081558/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2024/240507_3e.pdf. live.
  4. Web site: Rivera . Joshua . 2022-03-31 . Nintendo Switch Sports overview welcomes you to 'Spocco Square' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220428132730/https://www.polygon.com/23005240/nintendo-switch-sports-overview-trailer . April 28, 2022 . 2022-04-28 . Polygon . en-US.
  5. Web site: Peters . Jay . February 9, 2022 . Nintendo is making a new Wii Sports for the Switch . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305223359/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/9/22926147/nintendo-switch-sports-wii-soccer-badminton . March 5, 2022 . February 10, 2022 . The Verge . en.
  6. Web site: February 9, 2022 . Nintendo Switch Sports - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch . https://web.archive.org/web/20220828054823/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ16-1YIRAc . August 28, 2022 . February 12, 2022 . YouTube.
  7. Web site: Wood . Austin . 2022-02-09 . Nintendo Switch Sports will revive Wii Sports this April and you can try it this month . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916165238/https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-switch-sports-will-revive-wii-sports-this-april-and-you-can-try-it-this-month/ . September 16, 2022 . 2022-02-21 . . en.
  8. Web site: Turner . Daniel . 2007-07-01 . Hack: The Nintendo Wii . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220222022727/https://www.technologyreview.com/2007/07/01/271887/hack-the-nintendo-wii/ . February 22, 2022 . 2022-02-21 . . en.
  9. Web site: Wald . Heather . 2022-02-18 . Switch Sports could be one of Nintendo's most important releases in 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220724210030/https://www.gamesradar.com/switch-sports-could-be-one-of-nintendos-most-important-releases-in-2022/ . July 24, 2022 . 2022-02-21 . . en.
  10. Shea . Brian . 2022-02-09 . Nintendo Switch Sports Carries On The Legacy Of Wii Sports In April . dead . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20220227163931/https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2022/02/09/nintendo-switch-sports-carries-on-the-legacy-of-wii-sports-in-april . February 27, 2022 . 2022-02-21.
  11. Web site: February 9, 2022 . Official Nintendo Twitter account . https://web.archive.org/web/20220718181307/https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1491607152930148353 . July 18, 2022 . February 14, 2022 . Twitter.
  12. Veltin . Tobias . 2022-02-13 . Nintendo Switch Sports: Wer sich über fehlende Miis aufregt, sollte genauer hinschauen . Nintendo Switch Sports: If you are upset about the missing Miis, you should take a closer look . live . . de-DE . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916165637/https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/nintendo-switch-sports-fehlende-miis,3377810.html . September 16, 2022 . 2022-02-21.
  13. Web site: Cameron . Ellie . 2022-02-19 . Nintendo Switch Sports: 10 Things Revealed At Nintendo Direct . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527083305/https://screenrant.com/nintendo-direct-revelations-news-for-nintendo-switch-sports/ . May 27, 2022 . 2022-02-21 . . en-US.
  14. Web site: Nintendo Switch Sports official site . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331131404/https://nintendoswitchsports.nintendo.com/ . March 31, 2022 . 22 March 2022 . . en.
  15. Web site: Nintendo Switch™ Sports for Nintendo Switch™ – Official Site . https://web.archive.org/web/20220723191116/https://nintendoswitchsports.nintendo.com/ . July 23, 2022 . February 10, 2022 . nintendoswitchsports.nintendo.com . en.
  16. Web site: Lyles . Taylor . February 9, 2022 . Nintendo Switch Sports is the Long-Awaited Sequel to One of the Wii's Most Popular Games . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220309002132/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-sports-announced . March 9, 2022 . February 10, 2022 . IGN . en.
  17. Web site: Kennedy . Victoria . 2022-02-16 . You can now register for the Nintendo Switch Sports online play test . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220313123758/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-16-you-can-now-register-for-nintendo-switch-sports-online-play-test . March 13, 2022 . 2022-02-21 . . en.
  18. Web site: Ask the Developer Vol. 5, Nintendo Switch Sports–Part 1 - Nintendo . https://web.archive.org/web/20220611060803/https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-5-nintendo-switch-sports-part-1/ . June 11, 2022.
  19. Web site: Radulovic . Petrana . Nintendo Switch Sports golf update delayed to winter . Polygon.com . September 13, 2022 . 16 October 2022 . October 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016205444/https://www.polygon.com/23350923/nintendo-switch-sports-golf-update-delay . live .
  20. Web site: Norman . Jim . Nintendo Pulls Latest Switch Sports Update Following Game Crashes . Nintendo Life . October 14, 2022 . 16 October 2022 . October 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016205445/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/10/nintendo-pulls-latest-switch-sports-update-following-game-crashes . live .
  21. News: Wales . Matt . Switch Sports servers now offline while Nintendo investigates crashing issue . Eurogamer.net . October 14, 2022 . 16 October 2022 . October 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016205444/https://www.eurogamer.net/switch-sports-servers-now-offline-while-nintendo-investigates-crashing-issue . live .
  22. Web site: Sam Loveridge . 2022-04-29 . Nintendo Switch Sports review: "Really is a social game through and through" . https://web.archive.org/web/20220620221215/https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-switch-sports-review/ . June 20, 2022 . 2022-05-20 . gamesradar . en.
  23. Web site: 2022-04-27 . Nintendo Switch Sports review – the return of slapstick fun . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220723052654/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/apr/27/nintendo-switch-sports-review-the-return-of-slapstick-fun . July 23, 2022 . 2022-05-20 . . en.
  24. Web site: 2022-04-29 . Nintendo Switch Sports review: a simple, formulaic nostalgia-fest – and one of the most fun games of the year . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612145707/https://www.vg247.com/nintendo-switch-sports-review . June 12, 2022 . 2022-05-20 . VG247 . en.
  25. Web site: Review: Nintendo Switch Sports . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615182150/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-nintendo-switch-sports/ . June 15, 2022 . 2022-05-20 . Destructoid . en-CA.
  26. Web site: Parrish . Ash . 2022-04-27 . Nintendo Switch Sports isn't a must-own, but it's a great party game . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220520042634/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/27/23044617/nintendo-switch-sports-wii-sports-party-game . May 20, 2022 . 2022-05-20 . The Verge . en.
  27. News: Review 'Nintendo Switch Sports' is a grab bag of great games and duds . en-US . Washington Post . live . 2022-05-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916170250/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/nintendo-switch-sports-review/ . September 16, 2022 . 0190-8286.
  28. Web site: Plante . Chris . 2022-04-27 . Nintendo Switch Sports is the Wii Sports sequel we dreamt of . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914124623/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23043446/nintendo-switch-sports-review-wii-bowling . September 14, 2022 . 2022-05-20 . Polygon . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2022-05-12 . Famitsu Sales: 4/25/22 - 5/8/22 [Update 2] ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220605212956/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/05/famitsu-sales-4-25-22-5-8-22 . June 5, 2022 . 2022-05-17 . Gematsu . en-US.
  30. Web site: May 2022 . Nintendo Switch Sports smashes to No.1 UK Boxed Charts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521235830/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-05-01-nintendo-switch-sports-smashes-to-no-1-uk-boxed-charts . May 21, 2022 . 2022-05-17 . GamesIndustry.biz . en.
  31. Web site: 巴哈姆特 . MediaCreate 4 月 25 日～5 月 1 日一週銷售排行榜 《Switch 運動》熱潮席捲三地 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916171059/https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=231808 . September 16, 2022 . 2022-05-17 . 巴哈姆特電玩資訊站.
  32. Web site: 2022-05-13 . US NPD: Switch surpasses PS4 sales as Elden Ring takes Vanguard's crown . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916171440/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/us-npd-switch-surpasses-ps4-sales-as-elden-ring-takes-vanguards-crown/ . September 16, 2022 . 2022-05-17 . VGC . en-GB.
  33. Web site: 2023 BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations. BAFTA. 2 March 2023. 2 March 2023. March 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230302164040/https://www.bafta.org/games/awards/2023-nominations. live.

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