The Thing That Kept Me Playing Switch Sports Is The Same Thing Pushing Me Away

thegamer.com:

I have a very strange relationship with Nintendo Switch Sports. I gave it 3.5 out of 5 when I reviewed it, and I stand by that score, but I also think it might be my game of the year. It’s my most played game this year, but I’m also not sure I’m going to play it that much ever again. It has been one of the most fun online experiences in years, and one of the worst structured. Switch Sports is an odd little game.

All of these contradictions swirl around the online mode. During the review period, the online portion wasn’t available. I considered holding my review until it was, but decided against it for two reasons. Firstly, I’ve played games long into the night on a many an occasion to hit an embargo, so if publishers are giving an embargo knowing full well they’re not giving us all of the features (rather than delaying a week so the game can be finished for the review period rather than launch day), they get what they get. Secondly, I didn’t want to be ensnared by it, which I almost certainly would have been.

Related: Nintendo Switch Sports Finally Let Me Enjoy Sports As A Trans Woman

Nintendo is a single-player company first and foremost, one that excels in living room play and fun with the family. The Switch Sports adverts even targeted moms through Jessica Alba, and it was sold on the premise of playing with your household. This isn’t how it works in practice. Instead, offline is an extremely bare bones experience with no progression or customisation, and nothing to do besides play endless games. The Gym, Challenges, and Pro Score from Wii Sports is gone, as are the Badges and Solo games from Sports Resort. Offline is an own goal, a gutterball, a whatever bad things are called in chambara.

While the sports are good,