The 5 Best Sports Games for Nintendo Switch
Since the early days of Mike Tyson's Punch-Out and Tecmo Super Bowl on the original Nintendo NES console, Nintendo has been a home for great sports games. The excitement and adrenaline that get ignited by great sports games is what makes it one of the best genres of video games. With the Joy-Con controllers that fit in your hand and capture your movements, the Nintendo Switch is ideal for sports games. We wanted to find sports games that were not only great games, but also fully utilized the Switch capabilities. Read on for our reviews of the 5 Best Sports Games for Nintendo Switch.
Ring Fit Adventure
This game gets our pick for top sports games because you will actually get some exercise while you play it. But it’s not just a workout video; it’s a super fun video game. You will use two new accessories that come included with the game – the Ring-Con and Leg Strap. The Ring-Con is an exercise ring – like the one used in Pilates – which you will use for all arm movements. And the Leg Strap fits around your leg to control all the leg movements. The main way to play the game is Adventure Mode, in which you will make your character run by running in place in real life, you will attack enemies by doing strength-building exercises, and refill your health meter by doing yoga poses. There’s also 12 minigames that focus on a specific type of exercise, like squats. This game is so much fun and gives you such a good workout, you will likely cancel your gym membership and play this game every day.
Pros
- Fun plus exercise
- Customizable workouts
Cons
- Takes a little time to set up for each person
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020
Gear up for the 2020 Olympics with this spectacular sports extravaganza featuring all of your favorite Nintendo Characters, plus Sonic the Hedgehog. There is a single-player story mode that is quite fun and features a bunch of retro games in the style of the original Nintendo. But the main mode here is multiplayer mode. Choose from over 20 characters, and compete in more than 30 exciting events. There are individual events, like archery, and there are team events, like soccer. The graphics are bright and breathtaking, and everyone will have a blast competing in the different events. Get a group together, in person or online, and go for the gold.
Pros
- Choice of over 30 fun events
- Choice of over 20 classic characters
Cons
- Story mode is not super long
NBA 2K20
Basketball Legends
NBA 2K is back and better than ever. The latest in the series has upgraded everything, from graphics to gameplay. The controls are so accurate, from the dribbling to the shooting to signature moves that have been modeled off of the real players’ moves. The single-player career mode has been creatively crafted with famous actors, like Idris Elba and Rosario Dawson, as well as NBA legends, to be engrossing and rewarding. Then you can test your mettle against other people in multiplayer mode, in person or online. A huge new addition is the WNBA, with all the real-life teams and players. Suit up and get in the game.
Pros
- Career mode is like a movie with Hollywood stars
- Precision gameplay
Cons
- A lot of microtransactions
Mario Tennis Aces
Tennis is one of the most fun sports games to play on the Switch because you can swing the Joy-Con controller like a tennis racket. This is the best Mario Tennis game yet. It has way more strategy than previous versions; position, strength, and other factors count, just like in real tennis. You have to make split-second decisions, which makes the game exhilarating to play. There is a single-player mode, but it’s little more than preparation for multiplayer, which is what this game was made for. Play against family or friends in your living room, or take your skills online and enter into a tournament.
Pros
- Swing the Joy-Con like a real tennis racket
- Lots of strategy and split-second decision making
Cons
- Single player not extensive
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
Take It To The Street
For those players that prefer more of the classic arcade-style streetball games, as opposed to the more realistic NBA simulation, this is the game for you. Playgrounds 2 is an absolute blast, with sick dunks, ankle-breaking jukes, and tons of special moves. You can play single-player and unlock new players as you progress through the levels, or you can pay a one-time $10 fee to unlock all the players immediately. The upfront fee is probably the way to go, as there are over 400 awesome players from NBA past and present. The richly detailed playground courts make a beautiful background for epic 2-on-2 streetball battles.
Pros
- Classic arcade-style streetball
- Signature moves
Cons
- Fee to unlock all the players at once
Frequently Asked Questions
Can these games be played on the Nintendo Switch Lite?
Yes, these games can be played on the Switch Lite. However, for certain games, like Ring Fit Adventure, you will need Joy-Con controllers; Joy-Cons do not come with the Lite and need to be purchased separately.
Are these games better single-player or multiplayer?
Most sports games are better multiplayer, simply because it’s more fun to play sports with and against real people.
Do I need to know how to play the sport to play the video game version?
No, you don’t need to know how to play the sport. It might take you a little longer to fully understand what’s going on in the game, but there is no prerequisite knowledge required to play these games.
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