Surely that feeling has a name, halfway between amazement and disbelief, so technology can do something that seemed impossible to us. We could call it innovation, but when the Nintendo Wii came out way back in 2006 it didn’t seem like the technology had taken a simple step forward. Grab a real magic wand with which play tennis and bowling it cannot simply be labeled as progress. It’s a feeling that remains difficult to describe but when I first tried it Nintendo Switch Sports I felt almost like back then although with some slight differences.
Is Nintendo Switch Sports true to its roots?
Absolutely yes. Music is the right onethe clumsiness of the characters remained unchanged (even if on a graphic level we are light years from the animated cones of Wii Sport) and fun with friends is guaranteed. Great classics are back such as tennis, bowling, golf (not available at launch and scheduled for an update in the autumn) and chanbara (sword fighting) to which are added three great news: football, volleyball and badminton. The new location is a big step up from the old resort. We are in a kind of sports park for hipster where each arena is also a combed café where you can drink a 9 euro celery smoothie at the end of the game. Very reminiscent of the Gran Turismo café, Japanese developers must love the Roastery aesthetic. The name isn’t too friendly to the Italian audience: Spocco Squarelaughter is guaranteed and in this he is truly true to his roots.
Classic Sports
Little or nothing has changed in Bowling apart from the introduction of a mode with obstacles and barriers which on paper looks like absolute evil but which I have not yet had the pleasure of trying. The chanbara now has a single swordan energy sword and two-sword mode but in my hands the feeling was slightly cumbersome, definitely not the best of the bunch. Tennis, my favorite of the older generation, it is as beautiful in single as it is hostile in double. Playing in split screen, 2v2, the player who is not serving is relegated to a tiny portion of the screen where it is very difficult to navigate. The single, on the other hand, is as beautiful as I remembered and it was the catalyst of the magic I told you about earlier. Move the Joy-con (with the strap I recommend or you can say goodbye to controllers and TVs) and do dunks and reverses fun is guaranteed, especially in company.
Newcomers to Nintendo Switch Sport
What is surprising about this new title are not only the references to the past but also the Announcements that this new generation of sports titles brings with it. Badminton is a pleasant variation of tennis while volleyball and soccer are the real gems of this title. The first one amazed me with its variety of moves, playing styles and combinations. There is the reception, the block, the dunk, the dribble and the serve, all with specific movements to do. Playing volleyball guarantees a good sweat if you get caught up in the competitive spirit. It’s fun, fresh and varied, a bit like when we switched from Wii Sports to Wii Sports Resort, with more movements and more sensitivity. The real hit of this game for the European audience, in my opinion, will be football. It is practically the human version of Rocket League: the ball is 2 meters high, it bounces on all surfaces except the goals and there is a stamina system to run or make more powerful shots. With the 4 vs 4 online mode coming out shortly after the game has landed in the stores many gamers will have their own version of soccer with friends even without getting up from the sofa. At launch, the leg support can only be used for penalties but an update is coming so that it can be used as an input for all shots.
Waiting for the review
This return to the world of sports living room works. It is first of all a game to be played in company, with friends or family because with its clumsiness it guarantees laughter and a sense of community among all participants. You sweat, and not a little, with some action sports such as tennis and have a lot of fun with bowling. Shame about the doubles tennis but the rest of the experience is well taken care of and well done. Is it worth the purchase on day one? Honestly no, there are still some pieces missing (golf in the first place) but it certainly ends up in the (long) list of items to keep an eye on for the next black friday.
