After the Nintendo Switch took the world by storm in 2017, Nintendo is currently gearing up to do it all over again with the Nintendo Switch 2. Instead of completely overhauling the experience, it is aiming to deliver something very similar, albeit with a few exciting updates. The potential alone is exciting, andgames such asMario Kart Worldlook like extremely promising launch titles. But, while it could be a great next chapter for the studio, it is leaving money on the table if it leavesNintendo Switch Sportsout of the fun.
Wii Sportsdefined much of the Wii era, withWii Sports Resorttaking the concept even further. For some reason, theWii Unever quite delivered on that same experience, asWii Sports Clubfailed to make a mark. And with the Nintendo Switch, it took the studio until 2022 to deliver that next chapter withNintendo Switch Sports. It may have gone on to be one of the console’s best-selling games, yet it missed out on being the defining title that its predecessor was. With the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo seems to be repeating that very same mistake, but hopefully,Nintendo Switch Sports 2looms on the horizon.
Nintendo Switch Sports Deserves Its Chance to Shine
Wii Sports Release Was Perfectly Timed
One of the biggest reasons thatWii Sportswas such a massive hitupon release was that it came bundled with the Wii at launch. Because of that, pretty much every single Wii owner had access to it. It served as a way to show off the console’s new motion controls, and because of the simple but exciting gameplay, it instantly became a hit. It would go on to become the best-selling Nintendo video game, the third-best-selling video game of all time, and would even spawn a sequel withWii Sports Resort, which took the concept to new heights and went on to also be a massive commercial success.
Players everywhere loved theWii Sportsconcept, so naturally, Nintendo expanded the franchise even further on both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. However, unlike the original game, these next titles did not serve as launch titles for the console, nor did they come bundled with said console. It would take two years after the Wii U’s launch forWii Sports Clubto release, and five years after the Nintendo Switch’s launch forNintendo Switch Sportsto release. WhileNintendo Switch Sportsdid end up also being a decent hit for the studio, it paled in comparison to the original game.
Nintendo Switch 2 Could Finally Deliver On Nintendo Switch Sports Promise
With the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps ofWii Sportsonce more. Of course, it does not seem like the game will serve as a launch title for the console, as it would likely have already been announced. But if it cannot be a launch title, then it should release as close to the console’s launch as possible. Players should not have to wait multiple years to experiencethe nextNintendo Switch Sports, and with the new hardware, the game could deliver something truly special.
Luckily,Nintendo Switch Sportswill be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2, with a few limitations due to the size ofthe Joy-Con 2s. While that will mean players will be able to play all sorts of sports on day one, many will likely be looking for that next evolution of the brand. Hopefully, Nintendo has something in the works, as it would be a massive missed opportunity if it did not. But players will just have to wait and see.
