The Best Nintendo Switch Sports Games
With the advent of the Wii, Nintendo ushered in a new era of motion-controlled video games — specifically sports games like Wii Sports. The more powerful Switch takes it to the next level with the wireless Joycons and various attachments. Now there's a wide array of great new sports games available to play on the Switch. To learn more about the best ones you can buy now, check out our curated list here.
What to Look For
To select the top Switch sports games, we looked for the following: Does it use motion controls? What kind of sports does it simulate? And is it more realistic or cartoonish? For instance, a great all-around game with realistic sports would be Sega’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. With 18 different sports represented, it’s got plenty of variety to keep you entertained. Meanwhile, a more niche game would be Nintendo’s Mario Golf: Super Rus, which stars Mario and crew with powered-up golf swings. It’s realistic in the mechanics but has added features like powered-up shots to spice things up. Below, we’ll go into further detail on all of these awesome sports games for the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch Sports
The sequel we've been waiting for
After the success of Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, Nintendo wanted a similar triumph for the Switch. With Switch Sports, they’ve knocked it out of the park again. This is like an updated Wii Sports with six games: soccer, tennis, volleyball, badminton, bowling, and sword fighting. The motion controls are much more refined this time around, too. With this much to love, it’s proved itself to be a great follow-up game.
Pros:
- The badminton mode takes advantage of the JoyCon’s HD rumble, providing feedback when you hit the birdie.
- This game really shines in its multiplayer modes, making it a perfect party game.
Cons:
- You’ll need a subscription to Nintendo Online to play multiplayer over the Internet.
Sega Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for Nintendo Switch
Go for the gold
If you’ve ever wanted to compete in the Olympics, now is your chance — at least in the virtual world. This game takes all of the fan-favorite events from the summer Olympics and turns them into fun mini-games. The controls are intuitive and easy to grasp for each event, so there’s no sharp learning curve. This makes for a great party game as anyone can pick it up and play. It’s less of a serious simulator and more of an arcade version of the Olympic games.
Pros:
- There are a bunch of fun options for customizing your character.
- There are 80 nationalities to choose from.
Cons:
- Some of the game mechanics are a bit simplistic, but fun nonetheless.
Ubisoft Just Dance 2022 Nintendo Switch
Bust a move
One of the greatest applications of motion controls is for fitness games. Just Dance 2022 is one such example, offering fun gameplay that gets your heart pumping. With a JoyCon in hand, you can match movements displayed on the screen, hitting beats as they line up with your in-game avatar. This avatar is fully customizable, so you can have a character that suits your personality. The music selection is top-notch, too. All around, this is a super fun game to let loose and get moving.
Pros:
- Controls are intuitive to pick up quickly.
- There’s a great variety of songs in different genres.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, a lot of songs are only available as paid DLC.
Nintendo Mario Golf: Super Rush for Switch
A hole in one
The Mario sports series has always been renowned for its fun game mechanics, variety of modes, and cast of famous Nintendo characters. This installment proves to be another smash hit on the roster of Nintendo sports games. You can jump right into golfing solo or with friends, and even hop online for some competitive action. If you’re looking for a single-player campaign, the adventure mode is a fun way to create your own golfing Mii character. You get to choose which stats to boost every time you level up, so it plays a bit like a golfing RPG.
Pros:
- You can use either motion controls or regular buttons and joysticks — both are easy and intuitive to learn.
- There are plenty of advanced mechanics such as wind speed, spin, and club choice, which add depth to the gameplay.
Cons:
- The story mode is a bit short for our liking.
SEGA Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Head to head
Mario and Sonic have been rival gaming mascots since the early 90s (one of our favorite eras of gaming). In this game, they face off head-to-head in the 2020 Olympics so you can finally settle the debate as to which is better. The roster of characters includes favorites from both Nintendo and SEGA, so there’s no shortage of choices. The gameplay is pretty standard for a sports variety game since each event is its own mini-game that uses either motion or button controls. There are also throwback events that replicate 16-bit games. All in all, it’s a fun and modern twist on a beloved classic.
Pros:
- The karate game has a surprising amount of depth.
- The soccer game supports 8-player multiplayer online.
- There are over 30 events to choose from.
Cons:
- This a small gripe, but we wish multiplayer had options for multiple events in a row, instead of having to go back and choose a different event and character every round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Nintendo Switch use external tracking devices?
Unlike the Wii, the Nintendo Switch doesn’t need an IR tracking bar. Each controller includes embedded motion-detecting technology.
Can you work out using the Nintendo Switch?
With the two JoyCons, the Switch is perfect for active games that you can work out with. Sports games in particular are great because they often require large movements. Dance and rhythm games are another great choice for getting the blood flowing.
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