Nintendo finally released a new Nintendo Direct, and it touched on quite a few anticipated subjects.Kirby and the Forgotten Landrevealed major features in a new trailer, andXenoblade Chronicles3got announced by Monolith Soft. As is often the case with Nintendo Directs, there were also some pretty unexpected announcements. Aside fromEarthboundandEarthbound Beginningscoming to Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo announcedNintendo Switch Sports, a new compilation of sports games meant to channel the motion-control athletic action ofWii Sports.Nintendo Switch Sportswill offer players a mix of old and new sports, including Volleyball, Golf, and Badminton.
The concept ofNintendo Switch Sportsisn’t particularly surprising, given how belovedWii SportsandWii Sports Resortwere in their time. If anything is surprising, it’s the game’s fairly limited selection of sports. There are only six sports in the game by default, with Golf planned to join as a seventh in fall 2022. That may not be a weakness, though; on the contrary, it could be a major strength. Nintendo is an enthusiastic purveyor of DLCs nowadays, meaningNintendo Switch Sportscould get a ton of new sports added as DLCs in the future, whether they’re lifted from previousWii Sportsgames or entirely new to the series.
New Games as Nintendo Switch Sports DLC
Nintendo Switch Sportscovers plenty ofWii Sports' greatest hits, like Bowling and Tennis, but there’s still lots ofWii Sportscontent that could join the game.Nintendo’s originalWii Sportsfeatured Boxing and Baseball, both of which seem like perfectly viable DLC additions toNintendo Switch Sports.The new sports game also has access to a trove of compelling games that first appeared inWii Sports Resort.TheWii Sportssequel set on vacation resort Wuhu Island introduced Archery, Air sports, Table tennis, Cycling, and Basketball.Nintendo Switch Sports' Chambara mode is a clear spiritual successor toWii Sports Resort’s Swordplay, but there’s a lot thatSwitch Sportscould still borrow.
Alternatively,Nintendo Switch Sportscould focus on adding games thatWii Sportshasn’t tried out yet. Boxing may appear inWii Sports,butSwitch Sportscould add a unique wrestling mode instead of revisiting trodden ground. Nintendo could also focus on adding international sports toitsWii Sportssuccessorin order to create a well-rounded party game. Ice hockey, rugby, and cricket are just a few examples of sports with huge international audiences that could giveNintendo Switch Sportsbroader appeal.
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Beyond New Switch Sports
Switch SportsDLC doesn’t have to stop at adding new sports either. While the game’s reveal trailer doesn’t go into depth about player avatars, it suggests that players can choose between creating a Mii to play as or using a new style of avatar unique toNintendo Switch Sports.If players can freely customize these playable characters, Nintendo could add cosmetic DLCs similar toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Mii Fighter costumes, letting players reference or dress up as Nintendo characters while playing sports with friends. To play into nostalgia, Nintendo could also consider aWii Sports ResortDLC that takes fans back to Wuhu Island, creating alternate settings for the sports themselves that players can choose from.
Nintendo often serves up nostalgia in surprising ways, andNintendo Switch Sportslooks like no exception. Bringing back the oldWii Sportslogo and describing it as a new installment in theWii Sportsseries makesNintendo Switch Sportsa treat for Wii lovers. If Nintendo really wants to push that identity, it has ample opportunity to develop DLC that touches on otherWii Sportsconcepts. At the same time, Nintendo shouldn’t be afraid to add expansions that drive homeNintendo Switch Sports' identity as a new generation of Nintendo sports game. Hopefully, Nintendo does all it can to reachNintendo Switch Sports' full potential.
Nintendo Switch Sportsreleases on August 01, 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
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