REVIEW: Nintendo Switch Sports resumes the Wii series in style

Almost 16 years after the release of its predecessor, the Wii Sports, Nintendo launches the long-awaited nintendo switch sports, bringing new and old sports controlled through motion sensors. With many new features, including the inclusion of modes, sports, gameplay and athlete customization - through collectible gifts -, find out everything we think of the game in this review and see if it's worth a space in your library. Switch!

I feel like there's a story...

end of 2006, a time of growth in the use of cellular with multiple functions, such as the use of apps and electronic games. They would undergo a major change and, the following year, would be replaced by the much talked about smartphones. The function of performing intelligent tasks and the establishment of a new and coming fashion was established and, with it, the doors were opened for a new generation of public: that of the casual gamers. Foreseeing this reality and looking to a near future, which already gave indications in the present, the Nintendo did not stand still and made a “movement” to embrace once and for all this rising market share.

Day November 19 that year was marked by the launch of the company's new console, the Nintendo Wii, or simply Wii, accompanied by no more than one star title Mario, or a game played by an already known personality of the house — such as Luigi's Mansion did in the previous generation with the GameCube — but rather of one of the greatest phenomena of the time, the Wii Sports! A game that used the revolutionary controller Wii remote and its motion control possibilities, where you could play Tennis and fight boxing against a friend using the same actions as in the real sport, such as swinging the arm and punching forward, as if being transported into the stadiums.

The fashion followed its success and many more games were released for the Wii using the basic idea of ​​motion control. Through this new control — which contained a gyroscope and used the pointer infrared in conjunction with the Wii Sensor Bar (attached above or below the TV) — the Nintendo created and popularized a new concept in the art of playing video games, causing a milestone in the electronic entertainment industry.

From there, many innovations emerged in the world of games, opening the door to similar controls, such as the PS Move, but also for more advanced concepts, such as the cameras of competing consoles Kinect, from Microsoft, and Eye Toy, from Sony, until reach PlayStation VR and many other motion and augmented reality accessories, guaranteeing games with ever-increasing immersion possibilities.

The “Wii” Franchise Becomes the “Sports” Franchise

The franchise Wii, also called Wii Series — whose huge list included titles such as Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Sports Club, wii play, Wii Play: Motion, Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, wii fit u, Wii Party, Wii Party U, Wii Music, Wii Chess and even Wii Karaoke U - attended school in Nintendo Wii and continued the road of success in Wii U until the end of 2013, since when we had no further news.

Such a surprise was given by Nintendo when it announced its nintendo switch sports, making us realize that we would have a game from the old series again almost a decade later, now marked by new airs, Joy-Cons and different avatars, leaving, a little aside, the much talked about miis and definitely the valuables Wii Remotes + nunchuks. Ah… how time flies!

In this new reality, we are introduced to the spocco square, a kind of Olympic city of the game, with modern and flashy infrastructures, no longer populated by miis, the so famous avatars that lasted through the entire generation Wii/WiiU/3DS, but now by sportsmate, a new class of customizable avatars that could become the future of the series, given their charisma and more modern appearance — however, associating the name with the “Sports” franchise, which can make them exclusive to this sports series that Nintendo is reviving.

We'll figure that out over time, but it wouldn't be too bad if the Big N continue this journey with the insertion of spin-offs, such as were Wii Party and Wii Music.

As for the sports that make up this new title, you don't need to be an enthusiast or ace in the real world to do well in virtual Volleyball, badminton, boliche, Football, chambara (sword fighting) and Tennis. Some of them start with a brief explanation of how to perform the movements to play, such as Volleyball, Football and Chambara, while others flow naturally, with the player just performing the movements seen on the screen to control the match. Simple, versatile and intuitive as it should be. 

According to the official website of nintendo switch sports, the direct continuation of the Wii Sports also want to add the Golf — already known to veteran players — as a seventh additional sport via free DLC for the second half of this year. One Brazilian physical version is also available and comes with a leg strap, mandatory item to play the modality Penalty shootout inside Football. Very welcome additions that serve to add even more value to the game.

Taking the field to win!

Upon entering the courts of nintendo switch sports you are invited to choose one of the game modes, which focus on: global game (on line), local game ou game with friends, the latter being just a version of the Global Online Game restricted to rooms created to play with your friends registered on Switch. Just from there, you can see that the game is mainly focused on the online mode, therefore, a signature of the Nintendo Switch Online will be necessary to make the most of it.

However, even in way offline, the game manages to provide good hours of fun among friends in the same room, and it can be even more fun due to the personal factor of personally seeing and making fun of the opponent who loses or wins by performing controls by movement around the room.

As to game environment, It doesn't take much to enjoy your nintendo switch sports, but make sure you have a comfortable space and the size of the arms stretched around to execute the movements without having problems. Also don't forget to attach the strap to the wrist to avoid throwing the Joy-Con direct on TV (an old incident that is making a comeback with the game). So don't underestimate the power, and also the breakdowns, that motion control games can deliver.

Those who played the original title for Wii will feel right at home, while the less familiar can also get the hang of it easily, given the simplicity and intuitive way the game offers, qualities that have remained intact. This game just shows that, even without counting the pointer do Wii remote, the Joy-Cons do the job smoothly and precisely, ensuring a good control experience. Some tricks and special effects generated by using set of controls, as well as in the application of force, direction e rotation of the Joy-Con are expected and can be the crucial element of defeat or victory in a given match.

It is fun and enjoyable to play and move the racket in Tennis e badminton, or learn the positions and make a high cut with the Volleyball, more so predict the moves and hit a sword or two at the right time in chambara. It is also interesting to control the position and the kick, or headbutt, in the Football with a giant ball, a sport that closely resembles the form of control seen in Rocket League and guarantees good and fun laughs.

Some special types of sports also exist and can be seen in matches of boliche with obstacles and also Penalty shootout do Football. There is even a surprise in Credits, hiding nothing more than an additional quest. Here's a tip: move the control and see what happens.

Unique sports selection!

As already mentioned, the nintendo switch sports has a selection of six sports available — one more than the original game —, all very well built and, as we can see, whose work developed in each of them was part of a dedicated and thoughtful effort on the part of the developers. Therefore, below are some considerations about each sport, its innovations and also our opinion about it.

Volleyball

Innovative and counting on differentiated movements, the Volleyball stands out for presenting five commands to be given — counting: pitch, headline (the reception of the ball after the opponent's service), lifting, attack (or cut) and blockade —, presenting warnings before the time to execute each one of them for player preparation. It is possible to move the player with the d-pad seconds before a headline or one blockade, thus offering a greater strategic possibility. 

badminton

The game of shuttlecock with rackets is performed on a smaller court and is also responsible for the greater agility of the player. Fun or annoying, depending on how well the Joy-Cons, this sport is based on taking the opponent off balance to attack in an unreachable direction. 

boliche

It is the longest running sport here and also what allows more players (16) at the same time, with rounds that eliminate those with the lowest scores. There are special modalities in which obstacles are placed on the track, a novelty that may please some or leave others indifferent.

Football

A new sport in the franchise that features a giant ball to be hit by teams of um ou four players to the opponent's goal. Kicks can be delivered in any direction and even headed in while the Joy-Con that does not make movements is responsible for the steering control of the athlete on the field. An energy bar makes it possible to run, but not for long.

chambara

fight with an ou two swords until knocking the opponent into the water. A great option to test the Joy-Con and make movements as if you were holding a real sword. There are three modes, including one with the energized sword. Fun, but also agonizing when you're on the edge of the platform about to fall.

Tennis

The old acquaintance of the “Wii Sporters” is back and with the same essence. Nice to play with the unique move of, now, Joy-Con, it is the most traditional and characteristic sport of the franchise. There is always a dispute between two ou four players.

Casual vs Competitive

play the nintendo switch sports in pairs or with more people is one of the most fun things to do. It's been a while, we haven't seen games like this landing on the console of Nintendo. Since, perhaps, the 1-2-Switch, we didn't have such fierce competition with the intelligent use of Joy-Con. Many sports only need one control, while two-player matches can be easily split in local mode between the Joy-Con left and right for each player. 

When we start the game, it can make us think that it is a game aimed at a wider audience. casual, but it's on the courts online and more difficult categories that the game becomes more serious and addictive. The choice of difficulties, such as Normal, High ou Very strong, guarantees more longevity to the game, as it makes the player train more to overcome their difficulties and become even better to compete with other opponents around the globe.

The online mode of nintendo switch sports is a very welcome addition to the library — only put to use in the remake protocols for Wii U to Wii Sports Club — but which now has fun and new options. The possibility of face random players all over the world it's exciting and gives you that drive to play more and be able to secure some places on the winners' podium. Some games allow joint play between 2, 4, 8 (in football) and up to 16 players, as in the case of boliche, that even offline, allows separate screens so that bids are made at the same time, without the need to wait for your turn to play.

There is a lot of fluidity in the online mode and, to further improve the availability of players in these modes, the option to choose until three sports, selectable in order of preference, to speed up the wait before matches start. It may happen that a less expected sport is drawn, but, as an optional attribute, it is worth using it. Another novelty concerns the interactivity with global players, allowed by various figurines that represent joy, celebration, crying, among others!

The scores obtained in the online mode are used to win several items (which we will explain better in the next topic) and can lead you to compete for the League Pro, a kind of ranking in which the player is evaluated based on ratings given by his results. One more addition that guarantees an increase in the factor replay and gives a greater sense of competitiveness to the community of players, leaving aside the casualness previously seen by the most beginners. In this way, we can consider that the nintendo switch sports is a title for all types of players, from the most uncompromising to the veterans thirsty for challenging disputes.

Personalization to Miil!

And we come to one of the most important points of the text, which is the Sportsmates customization. You must be wondering if we are joking or something, but the fact is that the personalization of avatars and the use of stickers in online mode can be considered one of the greatest assets of the game, for adding goals and objectives to the game, guaranteeing greater replay factor. Being able to show and flaunt new clothes and figurines to other players and have that extra wardrobe on your virtual shelf is gratifying. 

There are two choices for characters in the game and it is not related to gender, class or anything like that, but rather the selection of nostalgics. Mii contained in the memory of Nintendo Switch — created from the system settings menu or transferred via amiibo — or from sportsmates, whose transformation possibilities go further and rely on the use of all items gained in the game to enhance their visuals. 

The initial options are few, but over time, they reveal themselves as an oasis for lovers of editing and creating unique personalities for their character. Each participation in a game in online mode guarantees a minimum score of 30 points to the player who, upon completing the sum of 100, allows him to obtain items from collections, such as the “Urban Collection" and the "Football Collection“, renewed every week. Among these items are accessories such as caps, new cuts of hair, beards, degrees for avatars, eyes until the final prize, the full costume from the collection. A maximum, no?

Future Cup!

As if all the praise for the game wasn't enough, there are a few points worth highlighting that give it that superior shine! The first of them refers to the graphic part, very well made and with an innovative air that makes us feel in a future world cup, given the structures and dispositions of the sports venues. THE little square it has glass structures, escalators, shiny floors, holographic panels and decorations made up of water and lots of vegetation. A work that pays attention to details that are not, exactly, the center of the game, but that make all the difference and insert the player in a unique environment and amusingly futuristic.

A sound part it also has its charm and nostalgic moments, but a lot of what we can get excited about comes from the great localization work and Dubbing that brings to the game a sense of belonging that makes you proud, something that fans of Nintendo always expect in the company's titles, even more so with a launch of a Brazilian physical edition about the game. Let's hope that this is just an initial example and that many other titles come in the same way and with the same treatment deservedly given to the delight of Brazilian Nintendo fans, who already account for a large portion of gamers today.

nintendo switch sports

O nintendo switch sports is here to stay and re-establish the motion gaming culture that Nintendo created back there at the end of 2006 with the Wii Sports. It's a great game to be played with family, friends and even online with colleagues or strangers, towards the collection of points and exchange for varied and new items.

The title encourages the player to think about strategies to win and improve, at the same time that it doesn't let him stop, resuming the company's concern with health, a theme several times in vogue. It's the perfect game to have in your library. Nintendo Switch, whether for training and having fun alone or for occasions of party and meeting between friends to make the visit even more lively.

The game nintendo switch sports is now available digitally at Nintendo Switch eShop for the price of R$ 199,00 or physically in Amazon website for the cost of R$ 299,99.

Analysis carried out with a copy of the game provided by Nintendo

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Stay on top of our reviews and also check out the game analysis WarioWare: Get it Together!, another excellent title for the Nintendo Switch which, in addition to a competitive online mode, also brings great and fun games to the company's hybrid console.