Nintendo Better Not Release Incomplete Mario Sports Games on Switch 2

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The Nintendo Switch versions of the Mario Sports series have been generally underwhelming. With Nintendo now more open to online gaming, they’ve launched incompletely developed sports games, promising updates later on. While Mario Tennis Aces saw success with this approach, subsequent releases have failed to impress, being labeled as disappointments.

Since the Nintendo Switch 2 has increased the prices of its games to as high as $80, it seems inappropriate for them to put out partially developed Mario Sports games at such a steep cost. While some fans might argue that these original Switch titles offer engaging gameplay, their minimal content warrants harsh criticism without question.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that Mario Tennis Aces stands out as the only title that truly mastered a unique tactic. Compared to the letdown of Ultra Smash on the Wii U, which felt more like a whimper than a bang, Aces demonstrated the incredible results when Nintendo pours their heart and soul into sports games.

The gameplay is solid, offering an engaging experience that borders on fighting-game territory, and it provides decent single-player content to keep us entertained. Plus, the developers continued to add new characters post-launch at no additional cost. All in all, this game remains a fun choice for gamers of all stripes.

Unfortunately, Nintendo saw the success of this game and got greedy.

In the series of Mario Sports games, Mario Golf: Super Rush was the latest installment that didn’t receive as much attention from Nintendo or fans. For one reason, the Story Mode fell short and seemed more like a lengthy tutorial than an engaging narrative. Additionally, the game’s courses drew criticism for focusing too heavily on realism, with only occasional appearances of Mario characters, leaving players questioning their immersion experience.

Initially, the fast-paced “Super Rush” gameplay, where players chase their golf balls, appeared thrilling; however, it started losing its charm after multiple playthroughs. The fact that the game was intended for online play didn’t aid the situation, as the developers only added a few courses and characters post-launch. Consequently,

With Mario Strikers: Battle League, the peak of dissatisfaction arrived among Mario Sports enthusiasts, as this installment undeniably stands as the most underwhelming in the series. For quite some time, fans have been eagerly awaiting a fresh addition to this spin-off collection, and the arrival on Switch was a much-needed respite for many. Despite its engaging gameplay, this sports game unfortunately continued the trend of lacking single-player options and prioritizing online play instead.

Fans might find the scarcity of content in Mario Strikers acceptable if it were priced lower or even free. However, because it retailed at a full price of $60, its inability to captivate audiences is easily understood.

It’s logical to prioritize Mario Sports titles as multiplayer experiences, given their initial success. Yet, stripping them entirely of single-player options and expecting players to continue playing online was not the best decision. The fact that Nintendo has barely updated these games since release is disappointing, especially considering the trend towards live-service multiplayer in today’s gaming world.

The potential upgrades brought by Nintendo’s Switch 2 could be beneficial. Here’s hoping that the upcoming Mario Sports title will set the tone for this improvement.

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2025-05-03 14:12