Even thoughWii Sportshasn’t been around for years,Nintendo Switch Sportswill revive Nintendo’s own sports brand in its own way.Nintendo Switch Sportshas a very different aesthetic from its predecessor, thanks to its playable Sportsmates and the setting of Spocco Square. Nevertheless, its blend of old and new sports looks like classicWii Sportsfare. At the moment,Nintendo Switch Sports' roster of playable games is relatively small, especially compared to its predecessorWii Sports Resort,but Nintendo’s plans to add Golf in the future suggests that the company will support the game long-term with additional games for fans to enjoy.
It’s hard to say what games Nintendo will prioritize when developingNintendo Switch Sportsupdates and expansions; Golf is aWii Sportsclassic, but Nintendo might want to focus on new games in the long run. Nevertheless, if there’s oneWii Sportsevent worth bringing back, it’s boxing. Even though boxing wasn’t part of the highly successfulWii Sports Resort, it was a core part of the originalWii Sports, so bringing this sport back would give the new Switch title a much stronger connection to its roots. What’s more, boxing would open the opportunity for a wealth of fun Nintendo character cameos.
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Possible Boxing Cameos in Nintendo Switch Sports
In the originalWii Sports, players battled through a gauntlet of Miis in pursuit of victory, butNintendo Switch Sportscould take a different approach. While single-player boxing would likely focus on Sportsmate NPC opponents, players might come across famously brawny Nintendo characters along the way. For instance,Little Mac fromPunch-Out!!seems like a perfect guest character for a boxing mode inSwitch Sports,thanks to his legacy within Nintendo’s classic boxing franchise. Also in the style ofPunch-Out!!,Switch Sportscould offer Donkey Kong as a secret opponent unlocked late into the single-player challenges.
Above all, though, a single-player boxing series inNintendo Switch Sportswould be a great opportunity to bring back the most iconic Mii of all: Matt. InWii Sports,Matt was the final boxer that players would face, and he was an extraordinarily tough opponent. Beating Matt proved to be such a task that he later spawned memes reminiscing about his power. Matt appeared inWii Sports Resortasthe final Swordplay opponentin two different game modes, suggesting Nintendo was well aware of his reputation. If boxing makes the cut intoSwitch Sports,then it would be a brilliant opportunity to let the fan-favorite Matt show his face again.
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The Wii Sports Legacy
Aside from bringing in some fun Nintendo cameos, though, adding boxing toNintendo Switch Sportswould be a great way to give it a stronger connection to its most distant ancestor.Wii Sportswas foundational toNintendo’s highly successful Wii era, and to this day, it’s a major point of nostalgia among longtime Nintendo fans.Nintendo Switch Sportsalready has quite a few ofWii Sports' core games, but it would be great to seeSwitch Sportscomplete the set. If boxing makes the cut in an update, then only baseball would be missing from Nintendo’sWii Sportsrevival.
Boxing certainly seems like a simple addition totheNintendo Switch Sportslineup. If the Wii could simulate boxing with a Wiimote and a Nunchuk, then two Joy-Cons can easily deliver the same motion control experience. Considering the simplicity of the game, its history inWii Sports,and the potential for broader Nintendo engagement, boxing seems like an idealSwitch Sportsexpansion. For now, golf remains the only sport confirmed for a future update, but hopefully Nintendo will reveal broader plans to supportNintendo Switch Sportspost-release.Nintendo Switch Sportsdeserves long-term support on the Switch, especially if that support taps into itsWii Sportsroots.
Nintendo Switch Sportsreleases June 04, 2025, for Nintendo Switch.
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