Ever thought you were a chill gamer until a Nintendo multiplayer game turned you into a raging competitor? Same here. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort just did that to me during a recent hands-on, and I'm not even sorry.
During my session, I tried a bunch of sports—some new, some returning from Wii Sports Resort. Table Tennis was always my jam in the 2009 original, and I can confirm that smashing the ball after a late hit is still ridiculously satisfying. The motion controls feel way more responsive with Joy-Con 2 than they ever did with a Wiimote.
The new addition that really stood out? Thumb Wrestling. It's less about skill and more about mind games. You stare down your opponent, waiting for them to leave their thumb vulnerable. Grab it, and you can expand your thumb to an upsettingly large size to power up your next grab. If you get caught, you shake the Joy-Con 2 side to side to break free. It's short, fast-paced, and silly—pure psychological warfare.
Archery also returns with a twist. In my preview, we played on 'special' rules where the target splits into four colored sections, and each player can only score in their assigned section. The more points you rack up in a round, the smaller your section gets next round, making it harder to hold a lead. I managed to clutch a win in the final round after being behind—so satisfying.
Not every sport is competitive, though. Three of them are all about casually exploring the newly expanded Wuhu Island, and they feel tailor-made for someone like me. Back in 2009, I spent hours in Island Flyover, soaring through the sky, plunging down the volcano, and even dragging my plane through town streets. I may have written fanfiction about Miis living their best vacation lives. Don't judge.
Now, Skateboarding Sightseeing Tour lets you explore the island on foot, collecting 'Spocco Photos' (basically the i Points from the Wii game). Power Cruising's Sightseeing Tour does the same but on a jet ski, and Wuhu Island has been expanded with whole new surrounding islands—so there's plenty to see. My favorite is still Prop Plane's Sightseeing Tour. I immediately flew down the volcano and was delighted to find it now has a larger cave system inside.
Honestly, as someone who played Wii Sports Resort to death, I wasn't sure how much the Switch 2 version would offer beyond shiny visuals. But even the updated controls won me over. Table Tennis and Boxing use standard Joy-Con swings, but using mouse controls to push a skateboard with your foot, holding the Joy-Con 2 like a paper plane, and positioning it upright for thumb wrestling—it's all clever and oozing with classic Nintendo charm.
Any doubts I had about returning to Wuhu Island next month are gone. I can't wait to explore more of the setting I fell in love with 17 years ago. But with online play added, none of my friends are safe from my competitive wrath in the less casual modes. I apologize in advance.
What do you think? Will you be picking up Nintendo Switch Sports Resort when it launches on October 22, 2026?
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