One great thing about the Switch is that its portability not only brings convince for hardcore gamers, but it also works well for casual gamers who don't really play many non-smartphone games, thanks to its ease of use and unique controllers. Despite Nintendo's attempts at satisfying the non-core gamer thus far, one type of game remains glaringly missing from the first party lineup so far... A spiritual successor to Wii Sports. For a console that comes with 2 candy-colored detachable motion controllers derived from the old Wii Remote, you'd think having a sequel to one of the most influential games of the modern era would be a priority for Nintendo, but strangely, not yet it seems. Likely because Nintendo wants to avoid any and all Wii-related banging and software due to the damage the later years of the Wii and subsequent Wii U disaster did to the brand. Still, there are still fond memories of games like Wii Sports outside the non-core internet forums, and because the Switch injects new life into the motion controller concept, I think it's time Nintendo brings the motion control sports game back. Sports are something everyone WW can relate to, and a new game like Wii Sports can fit right at home on Switch, even potentially make up for a potential lack of Madden (Thanks EA!).
Name and Theme:
Now, for obvious reasons, you can't use Wii Sports anymore, nor can you really star the Miis, since the Wii brand is all abandoned at this point. At the same time as well, it should be more than just a generic collection of simplified sports, there needs to be a big theme, and a big license to draw in the crowd. So for this game, why don't we take a risk and use the official Olympic Games license as our context. Sega isn't doing anything with the license anymore since Mario & Sonic seems all but dead, and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, now is the perfect time for Nintendo to swoop in and acquire the video game rights to the event. Thus, for now, we'll call this game "Nintendo Sports: Tokyo Olympics 2020". If it becomes a big hit, then this could mark the start of a regular sports series for Nintendo. For development team, why don't we get Nintendo EPD Production Group 4 to make it. This is Kouichi Kawamoto's team, who also Directed the Switch hardware itself, and developed 1-2 Switch and Nintendo Labo. So they have experience with concept driven titles like this, and they know the Switch hardware inside-out, which makes them perfect for the job.
Sports:
For the actual selection of sports, you'll of course need those that are typically featured in the Olympics. That means everything from Archery, to Volleyball, Swimming, Tack and Field, Curling, Skiing, etc. In total, there should be around 12-15 sports, not too many, but not too little (for reason's I'll get into later). The actual feel of the sports, need to be a mix of arcade and simulation type gameplay. The controls and accompanying animations need to be simple and snappy as much as possible. Make it too arcade-y and you make it hard to market to a mass audience. Make it too simulation-like and you make it feel slow and floaty.
Gameplay:
Here's where things get interesting. Being a spiritual successor to Wii Sports, the Joy-Con motion controls are the star of the show here. But now things can be taken a step further. The versatility and portability of Nintendo Switch allows each sport to have a variety of gameplay and presentation styles, either to match closer to real life, or to provide a fun take on the game. For example, in Volleyball, up to 4 players can play on one screen, but with local wireless, you can make it a 2v2 experience with just two consoles. Or for something like track & field, you can run on the TV with the Joy-Con, but another mode lets you hand a Joy-Con to a rival, and another person holds the Switch vertically, and you two race a short distance while the person with the Switch measures the intensity of your jogs and times them. In curling you can use motion control to play, or undocked, one player uses motion to push the stone, while you and a partner use the touch screen to smooth the surface. These are just a few examples to how the Switch can put new spins of familiar sports. Of course there's an online mode too, with most sports letting you play online, with voice chat (through the app of course, because Nintendo...)
Summary:
I think this type of game has a chance at becoming a big hit on the Switch. It further expands upon the different ways you can use the Switch hardware with friends, but it also would create a big boost in Wii Sports nostalgia, while still feeling new at the same time.
