Here are the best Nintendo Switch games for sports fans
- nov
- 16
With its HD Rumble, Joy-Con controls, and focus on couch co-op or competition, the Nintendo Switch is a perfect fit for sports games. And though it didn't boast many at launch, slowly but surely the system has acquired some excellent sports titles both from major franchises and indie developers, making some of the best Switch sports games you can buy right now. These are the best sports titles you can find for your Nintendo Switch.
★ Featured Favorite
Mario Tennis Aces
Mario Tennis Aces brings the Mario Tennis series back with an impressive serve after the lackluster Wii U entry. A laidback single-player mode will get you into the game and accustomed to its controls, but the meat of Mario Tennis Aces is in its online multiplayer.
Gooooooooaaal!
FIFA 20
FIFA 18 helped pioneer major, realistic sports gaming in its return to Nintendo consoles, proving the Switch could handle the detailed graphics and complex matches. The latest version of FIFA for 2020 includes the latest kits, clubs, and squads from some of the world's top leagues. There is also an enormous roster of popular players making appearances across numerous teams, and of course, Ultimate Team mode.
Hole in one
Golf Story
Golf Story swung seemingly out of nowhere to find a home among the other indie successes on Switch. Especially given that the system so far lacks a strong Mario Golf title, Golf Story fills that gap and more with its decent-sized story and meaty replayability. Just be warned: this one has a classic 2D 8-bit art style, which might not be for you. This little gem offers sports and a dramatic story for those wanting a little more than just hitting a ball.
Fast break
NBA 2K20
NBA 2K20 is the best basketball game you're going to find. You can play MyGM mode, MyLeague, and MyCareer, where you create your own player and follow them as they build their skills, sign with teams, and (hopefully) win a lot of basketball games. The Neighborhoods mode offers a somewhat open world where players can meet others playing at the same time and play pick-up games.
$30 at Amazon $30 at Best Buy $30 at WalMart
Hit your attack position
Lonely Mountains: Downhill
Hit the trails on the Lonely Mountains; Just you and your bike. Take a thrilling ride down an unspoiled mountain landscape, just make sure you bank those berms. Ride your way through thick forests, narrow trails and wild rivers. Race, jump, and slide - just don't biff - all the way from the peak to the deep valley. Find your own way down. No harm in taking a relaxing scenic route or go off-road to find the fastest way to the finish line!
KO!
Fitness Boxing
This boxing game isn't competitive in nature, but it does use the Nintendo Switch's motion controls for one massive benefit. That benefit is to get you moving, as Fitness Boxing is all about giving you a fun cardio workout. The best thing about Fitness Boxing is that you don't need other controller peripherals, just the Joy-Cons that came with your Switch. Easy peasy! Now get movin'!
$50 at Best Buy $50 at Amazon $50 at WalMart
Be the coach
Football Manager Touch 2020
Less keen on playing sports, and more interested in management? Football Manager made its way to Switch with Football Manager Touch 2018, and despite worries that it would be far too scaled down to be enjoyable, it's actually a solid entry in the series. The 2020 iteration is similar to the 2018 and 2019 versions before it. This club simulator includes over 116 leagues from 51 nations, or you can create one of your own for any league in the game, then play either against AI or online with friends and strangers.
Go for the gold
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
$50 at Best Buy $49 at Amazon $50 at WalMart
Mario and Sonic characters come together in this crossover Olympic game extravaganza! Beloved fan favorites from both franchises find themselves caught up in a scheme by Bowser and Dr. Robotnik, and end up in a retro Olympic-themed video game from 1984, where the Olympics were held in Japan. Go through a story mode or play Olympic sport mini-games with friends. The game switches between 2D pixel art to modern 3D graphics. Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses, so choose wisely!
Burn those calories
Ring Fit Adventure
$80 at Best Buy $80 at Amazon $80 at WalMart
Ring Fit Adventure is this generation's Wii Fit. With the Ring-Con and Leg Strap accessories, you can get a full-on workout with your Nintendo Switch! Ring Fit Adventure has a campaign mode with a story to go through, and you must battle enemies by doing various exercises, along with running in place to move around. If the Adventure mode isn't your thing, the game has custom workouts and sets of exercises that you can do too. Either way, you'll definitely work up a sweat with this game. No gym membership required!
And you're out!
Super Mega Baseball 3
Super Mega Baseball 3 is out and it refines the series. Get ready for a slugfest or test your reflexes. With the deepest on-field simulation yet, comprehensive online and offline game modes, and vastly improved graphics, enjoy some Major Leage fun. A brand new Franchise mode only adds to the options on how to enjoy this baseball simulator. And with the free demo on the Switch Shop, you can test an unlimited number of games in the competitive online Pennant Race mode, Exhibition games against the AI, or experiment with the customization suite.
Get your sport fix on Switch
While we may not all be athletic, sports is something that everyone can enjoy, whether it's actually actively participating in them or spectating. But sports themed video games let us play whenever we want, and have fun doing it. The Switch didn't start out with a lot of sports titles in its library, but it's steadily growing over time.
We like all of these sports games, but which one should you get? Well, naturally, it depends on which sports you like, but if you want something that many different people can pick up and learn quickly, Mario Tennis Aces is it. It's not only tremendously fun, but also lets up to four people play at a time. Be sure to grab it with the tennis racket accessory for your Nintendo Switch if you really want to turn it up a notch.
And if you want to actually burn some calories while you're playing video games, then make sure to get Ring Fit Adventure. It has a ton of different exercises to do, and believe me, you do work up a sweat playing, so it does work and costs less than a year of a gym membership!