Good news, sports fans: Nintendo Switch Sports is set to release on April 29th exclusively (you guessed it) for the Nintendo Switch. The latest installment in the Wii Sports series, it brings a host of motion-controlled mini-games to a new generation. We’re talking about games like tennis, bowling, and chambara (which is basically a sword fight).
The game is already available for pre-order, in both physical and digital versions (You see it on amazon). Read on to find out what comes in each edition, how much it costs, and where it’s available.
Nintendo Switch Sports
The physical copies of the Nintendo Switch Sports cost $10 more than the digital copies, but they do come with a leg strap. The bar contains a small Joy-Con bag so the Switch can detect your leg movements, which are used as game controls (see the ‘Leg Bar’ section below for details, as leg inputs are very limited at launch).
This is the same leg strap that comes with the Ring Fit Adventure, so if you have this game and don’t need a leg strap, you can get a digital copy of the Nintendo Switch Sports and save a little money.
Nintendo Switch Sports – Digital
If you already have a leg strap from purchasing a Ring Fit Adventure (or you’re just not interested in controlling the game with your leg), you can skip the physical version and save $10 by buying a digital.
Nintendo Switch sports trailer
What is Nintendo Switch Sports?
Nintendo Switch Sports is the latest installment in the Wii Sports series. The original 2006 game was incredibly popular in part because it came with a Wii console. It also makes use of easy-to-use motion controls, making it a go-to game to play with parents, grandparents, and people who haven’t played video games in general.
Nintendo Switch Sports carries on the tradition of motion control via Joy-Con controllers. It includes local multiplayer, as well as online multiplayer for all sports. What sport are we talking about exactly?
Mini games included with Nintendo Switch Sports
Here’s every game included with Nintendo Switch Sports at launch:
- Tennis
- bowling
- chambara
- football
- Badminton
- volleyball
As noted below, golf will be added in a free update planned for fall 2022.
Nintendo Switch Sports Leg Strap
When the game launches on April 29, only one mini-game will benefit from the leg strap included with the physical copies of the game. You will be able to use the leg strap to play the ‘Penalty Shootout Mode’ in soccer. However, more leg strap jobs will be rolled out later in the year.
Planned Nintendo Switch Sports Updates
In the game’s announcement, Nintendo offered an outlook on two updates coming to the game this year. The first update, scheduled for this summer, will allow you to use the calf strap attachment to control regular soccer games.
A second free update planned this fall will add a new golf game to Nintendo Switch Sports.
Other guides for pre-order
Chris Reed is a deal expert and trade editor at IGN. You can follow him on Twitter Tweet embed.
