In 2006, Nintendo released Wii Sports as a pack-in title for its new Nintendo Wii console. A mini-game compilation designed to show off the Wii's motion control capabilities, Wii Sports became a cultural phenomenon, and can be given a lot of credit for the Wii's massive success. Wii Sports is one of the best-selling video games of all time and is still talked about to this day, so it's a bit strange that Nintendo hasn't tried to revive it for the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo's most successful console since the Wii, to the point where some think that Switch sales could even surpass the Wii. The Nintendo Switch is a unique hybrid of a traditional home video game console and a handheld, allowing it to appeal to both those who enjoy console gaming and handheld gaming. It can also appeal to those who enjoy motion controls, as the Switch Joy-Cons can effectively function as more advanced Wii remotes.
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With the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons having motion control and Wii Sports being such a massive success for the company, it seems like now it would be the perfect time to revive the game for the Switch. Here is why Wii Sports would be a great addition to the Nintendo Switch library of games.
It's no secret that Wii Sports' mass appeal included a great number of casual gamers. These are people who don't necessarily label themselves as gamers, and may in fact have never really played video games outside of Wii Sports and some select other titles. Based on the Nintendo Switch's success, it's a safe bet that there is some overlap, with quite a few casual gamers likely buying the Switch for the express purpose of playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
This means that the Nintendo Switch likely has millions of owners who have fond memories of Wii Sports and may be inclined to pick up a new entry in the series.
Nintendo has previously attempted to create sequels to Wii Sports with Wii Sports Resort and most recently, 2013's Wii Sports Club. Wii Sports Resort earned positive reviews at the time of its release, with it featuring a new set of mini-games designed to take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus accessory. Wii Sports Club, by comparison, was not nearly as well-received, though it still brought some new features to the table. Mainly, Wii Sports Club added online support for classic Wii Sports games, while also including some new functionality inspired by the Wii U GamePad.
The Wii U was a sales failure for Nintendo, with a fraction of the install base that the Nintendo Switch enjoys. The Nintendo Switch has improved online functionality in general when compared to the Wii U, and so Nintendo could take another crack at a Wii Sport game with online, but provide a more reliable and engaging product this time. Many Wii Sports fans likely didn't even know Wii Sports Club existed, and Nintendo could potentially sell the game on the "Wii Sports but with online" premise alone.
There is one problem that Nintendo could potentially run into when it comes to reviving Wii Sports on the Nintendo Switch, and that is the Nintendo Switch Lite. The Nintendo Switch Lite is a cheaper, handheld-only variant of the Switch, and it could be that much of the casual crowd went that route instead of buying the more expensive version of the console. This could potentially hurt interest in a Wii Sports revival. However, there is some precedence for Nintendo Switch games not being compatible with Switch Lite, so maybe it won't have nearly as much of an impact as some would think.
A variety of Nintendo Switch games are not compatible with Switch Lite consoles, and in fact, many of them are the kinds of games that would also appeal to Wii Sports fans. This includes the Switch launch title and mini-game compilation 1-2-Switch, as well as games like the Just Dance series and Super Mario Party. Ring Fit Adventure, essentially a spiritual successor to the Wii Sports spin-off Wii Fit, is also not compatible with the Switch Lite. Otherwise, Nintendo may be able to think of a creative way for Wii Sports to work on the Switch Lite, like how it has offered alternate control schemes for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
Speaking of Ring Fit, Ring Fit Adventure is, as previously mentioned, arguably a spiritual successor to Wii Fit. It has enjoyed tremendous success as both an entertainment product and an exercise tool, and it could have laid the foundation for Nintendo to bring back the Wii Sports franchise. Maybe instead of angling it as a new Wii Sports game, Nintendo could instead look to continue the Ring Fit series, potentially even using the Ring-Con accessory for some of the mini-games.
Then again, the Wii Sports brand on its own may just be too recognizable to give up. And it could be something that could very well convince newcomers to buy a Switch and help Nintendo reach its lofty sales goals for its latest system. Perhaps a new Wii Sports title could be a pack-in with the rumored Super Switch console, serving as a technical showcase for what that device brings to the table.
Wii Sports is available for the Nintendo Wii.