It seemed impossible that we would ever get another outing at Wuhu Island. Even when Nintendo did release Nintendo Switch Sports. But I never stopped wishing it could happen. The announcement that it was with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort made me so happy. Wuhu Island might have been redesigned and expanded, but it still felt familiar. So I knew I would love getting to exploring with the plane. Which I ended up doing quite a bit of on the first day.

With no Miis saved on my Switch 2, I had to use a Sportsmate. There are a few options for customisation, including hair styles and clothes. There’s still a feeling of them all being too similar, with no ability to really change much about the face. At the same time, I likely won’t be swapping to a Mii. That means not getting to use most of the customisation options that can be unlocked, which is a lot easier this time.

The first thing I wanted to do was some bowling. It’s the one game I love the most, having played it first on Switch Sports, along with Wii Sports Club. It feels much the same as those games, using the motion controls of the Joy Con to swing the ball down the alley. Applying spin with a twist of the wrist. I did okay for my first game, immediately going in for a second before taking on some tennis. Which again felt pretty similar to previous games.

Then prop plane. There is a full free roam mode that allows exploration without a timer, but this mode also has no objectives. Nothing to find. And if there’s one thing I liked in the Wii Sports Resort version, it’s finding all those info bubbles. This time represented by cameras and known as photo spots. This time there are a few other objectives to hunt down in sightseeing mode, as it is now known. White balloons held by residents of the islands. Giant balls floating in the air that require three hits to pop. And ten hibiscus flower pins.

These photo spots provide a fun factoid, which can be entertaining to see. Whether about the volcano Maka Wuhu, the cafés dotted around, or various other formations found around Wuhu Island. Which is more commonly referred to as the Spocco Resort in this game. The info slightly changes depending on whether they are found during the day, evening, or night. The balloons and balls change their positions between the times of day, providing a lot of hunting for those who want it.

The next day it was time to tackle other sports. Prop plane is one the three leisure sports in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. The other two being skateboarding and power cruising. All three provide free roam and sightseeing tours, but these other two also include races to tackle. Which are very fun trying to get lines and boosts right to earn the gold times for each event. Something I did manage with skateboarding. The randomness of the waves just denying me those golds in power cruising.

Of the sports that have returned from previous games, boxing feels the most changed up. Now with a stamina bar that means I couldn’t just rain blows on my opponent until a knockout. Golf, table tennis, archery, volleyball, and basketball all feel as great to play as ever. And I’m happy that basketball still has its three-point challenge along with a regular match. Archery has a new mode for multiple people where a large target is split into sectors, with each person aiming for their own colour.

Lastly of the sports is thumb wrestling. An oddity when it was shown when Nintendo Switch Sports Resort was announced, I can see the skill and fun that can be had with it. With overlarge hands linked, me and an opponent aim to bait each other until we can pin the other’s thumb. To incentivise holding the thumb down, it will power up to make pins harder to break out from. With harder opponents, there’s a lot skill involved to win.

The customisation, then. Unlike with Nintendo Switch Sports, the points for obtaining customisation options can earnt everywhere, not just online. At the end of any game, points will be given, with bonuses for doing certain things in the game. The item shop holds weekly boards with a set of customisation options on them. 1000 points will get one of those options. There’s no chance of repeats, so it’s easy to claim everything from one board.

I say easy because the leisure sports rain points on me when in sightseeing tour. The balloons popped from prop plane are counted up at the end of each run, with even 30 earning over 100 points. Added onto the rest of the points awarded, it’s a very easy method for farming them. In just a few days, I’ve earnt enough to claim every reward from the weekly boards and the monthly special board, with enough to claim every reward when those weekly boards refresh. With plenty still left over.

If there’s one sport I’m sad didn’t make it, it’s swordplay. Renamed chambara in Nintendo Switch Sports, there was a secondary mode in Wii Sports Resort named showdown. Facing off against many Miis across the island, it was very fun. And, with Wuhu Island being redesigned, it would have been great to see what new showdown levels would have been included. Along with using the additional sword styles introduced in chambara.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a great one. There’s plenty for everyone who wants to get up to some sporty fun, with a variety of motion-controlled sports that are easy to get into. With easily accessed tutorials for anyone who needs them. Island Crown and the Online League are great for those who want some more serious competition, though it’s unlikely I’ll be taking those on myself. Whether casual or serious, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is an easily recommended experience.

The package is fine as is, though I would like to see it expanded in future. Even if just to bring chambara back. I do also want this version of Wuhu Island to see more use after this game. In fact, it should come as no surprise that I was thinking how easy this version of Wuhu Island would fit into Mario Kart World, and was even planning some tracks while flying around in free roam. Maybe that could be a future concept article.

Images Taken From:
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort | Nintendo Switch 2 [Docked]