Nintendo Switch Sports Adding Basketball is a Game-Changer

The recent Nintendo Direct featured many exciting updates about new games coming to the Nintendo Switch. Many popular Nintendo game brands received big updates, but Nintendo’s most ambitious sports project stirred some under-the-radar excitement. Nintendo Switch Sports was released back in 2022 with an emphasis on physical play, offering a more immersive experience.

Soccer, golf, volleyball, tennis, bowling, badminton, and chambara (swordplay) are the sports currently offered. Players can even purchase tennis rackets, swords, and other accessories that hold the joy-con for users to play each respective sport. However, a desire for more sports options has lingered aroudn the game for some time. Basketball was announced in the Nintendo Direct and may be the game changer for Nintendo Switch Sports to continue growing.

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Nintendo Switch Sports Has Been Consistently Popular Even Before Adding Basketball

The launch of Nintendo Switch Sports in 2022 has seen it remain relatively popular as a top-20 all-time Nintendo Switch game with over a dozen million copies sold. Games like this and Ring Fit Adventureoffer a physical element with Joy-Cons, allowing a fun form of exercise while playing the games. Nintendo sold users the idea of playing sports games or matches in one’s living room with friends in person or even online.

Video Game Title	Most Recent Estimated Copies Sold
Mario Kart Deluxe 8	61.97 million
Animal Crossings: New Horizons	45.36 million
Super Smash Bros: Ultimate	34.22 million
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	31.85 million
Super Mario Odyssey	27.96 million
Pokémon Sword & Shield	26.27 million
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet	24.92 million
Super Mario Party	20.66 million
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom	20.61 million
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe	17.45 million
Ring Fit Adventure	15.38 million
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!	15.07 million
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl	15.06 million
Pokémon Legends: Arceus	14.83 million
Luigi’s Mansion 3	14.25 million
Splatoon 2	13.60 million
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury	13.47 million
Super Mario Bros. Wonder	13.44 million
*Nintendo Switch Sports*	13.11 million

The video game continues to sell consistently as an evergreen title, which makes it clear that updates are valuable for such a unique project. Basketball is among the most popular sports video game genres internationally to open new interest in the game for users all over the world. Nintendo will add this update for users who already have the game at some point during the summer. Basketball is the first update since golf was added a few years ago.

A younger demographic also loves Nintendo Switch Sports, and so the summer break off from school is the perfect time to introduce this new feature. Golf, tennis, and bowling don’t have the same level of reach that basketball does in the sports world. NBA 2K thrives every year, despite a lot of fan criticism, thanks to the novel concept of the basketball video game experience being fun. Basketball was likely intentionally selected to sell more games and bring back users who own it already.

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We got the first Mario & Luigi game in nine years, a Marvel vs Capcom bundle, and Metroid 4 coming out next year, just to name a few from the list of stellar announcements. I’m excited to see Super Mario Party Jamboree!

How Will Basketball Mechanics Work For Nintendo Switch Sports?

The innovative idea of selling accessories to provide the most realistic immersive experience of playing sports video games likely won’t follow the same blueprint for basketball. Nintendo Switch Sports sells the full slate of items for the other sports that were part of the initial release. The Nintendo Direct trailer shows users holding the Joy-Con in hand and trying to perfect a shooting motion within the game, like shooting an actual basketball in the park.

There likely won’t be anything replicating the golf club or tennis racket accessories for the other sports in the game. Nintendo may be smart in going this route, since it’s much harder to have a physical basketball or hoop aligned with video game play. The act of holding a Joy-Con and shooting hoops is simple enough on its own.

Nintendo Switch Sports multiplayer will see 2v2 games available online, since the online player max is set at two as a team or opponents. Local play with friends in person will see the same 2v2 option offered, but there are a few other options. A solo three-point challenge gives users the chance to practice their shots and challenge themselves if playing alone.

Five-streak battle is another cool basketball mode that allows four people to play all at the same time in a Nintendo Switch Sports party mode. Each mode offers a way to enjoy playing basketball, whether with friends, strangers, or even alone, for the full gaming experience.

Will Nintendo Switch Sports Add More Sports?

Wii Sports Past Games Create High Expectations For Nintendo Switch Sports Adding More

Nintendo Switch Sports was clearly inspired by Nintendo’s older Wii Sports games as the first outlet to play a video game offering the perks of playing the game physically. Basketball being included in some of the Wii games had Nintendo fanatics wanting that sport in the Switch game from the start. The update proves that Nintendo is willing to listen to the audience of this game to extend its shelf life.

However, there are plenty of other sports in the Wii games that have yet to be added to Nintendo Switch Sports. Baseball, boxing, cycling, and archery are some of the sports that could be part of future updates. However, Nintendo already has a fair share of boxing games using the Joy-Con to physically box, including the popular Fitness Boxing series with licensed songs. Archery, cycling, and other secondary options might be just slightly too niche for Nintendo to prioritize.

Baseball is the most likely option for future updates since MLB: The Show finds popularity every year. Major American sports typically get prioritized by Nintendo since one of its main customer bases is in the United States, and it already features soccer, which gives it more international appeal. Whatever the sport is, though, the length of time between launch and basketball’s release may mean Nintendo Switch Sports doesn’t get a new sport for quite some time.

Everything likely depends on how many more copies Nintendo Switch Sports sells after this announcement and if the time played for those already owning it improves. The time put into the basketball update needs to result in the mode working well to appease customers. All hopes for more sports getting added will be dictated by the success or failure of the basketball mode. Nintendo Switch Sports has a chance to get new legs for 2024 and beyond.