Nintendo Switch Sports: Resort Island launches exclusively on Switch 2 on October 22, featuring 12 sports. Reviews suggest that the new title recaptures the fun atmosphere of family motion-controlled games, with local multiplayer remaining excellent, though the two new sports don't quite match the classic offerings.
Reviewers recall how the Wii in 2006 and the subsequent Wii Sports Resort brought parents and grandparents into motion gaming. Now, playing the new title with their 6- and 11-year-old children, they once again feel the appeal of this family entertainment style. Classic events like Archery, Basketball, Golf, Bowling, Boxing, and Table Tennis remain the core of the multiplayer experience.
The two new sports are Thumb Wrestling and Skateboarding. Thumb Wrestling emphasizes reading your opponent rather than just quick reflexes, though reviewers felt its novelty wears off quickly. Skateboarding utilizes the Switch 2's mouse-like controls for flips and rail tricks; while the concept is creative, the actual handling didn't fully satisfy reviewers.
Reviews note that the total of 12 sports feels slightly limited in scale, but the existing content is sufficient for hours of family gatherings. The single-player mode includes challenges and achievements for each sport, along with a progressively difficult "Island Crown" ladder mode, offering more single-player depth than expected.
Players can continuously customize their characters with outfits and accessories, with more cosmetic content to be added. While reviewers weren't fond of the new character designs compared to the original Miis, they generally agree that although the game doesn't reinvent the formula, it effectively restores the appeal of local multiplayer sports games.