Does Switch Sports Resort work on Switch 1? What you need to play
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
- It won't run on the original Switch or Switch Lite. Nintendo sells it only for Switch 2.
- One or two players? You're set. Switch 2 comes with a Joy-Con 2 pair.
- Three or four players? Add a Joy-Con 2 pair. Nintendo's own page tells you to have extras ready.
- You can't play it in handheld mode. Nintendo lists TV and tabletop only.
- Family games at home don't need Nintendo Switch Online. Online matches do.
In this guide
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort comes out October 22. It has 12 sports set on Wuhu Island. If your family played Switch Sports on an older Switch, here's what changes.
Can you play it on the original Switch?
No. Nintendo's US store page says it's "available exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2." That covers the original Switch, the OLED model, and the Switch Lite.
If you only have an older Switch, you'll need a Switch 2. The older Nintendo Switch Sports still runs on the original Switch, but it doesn't include the new sports.
How many people can play on one Switch 2?
Four. Nintendo says up to four people can play offline on the same Switch 2. Online, you can join a lobby of up to eight, with two players on each console.
The 12 sports are Tennis, Bowling, Archery, Boxing, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Basketball, Golf, Thumb Wrestling, Prop Plane, Skateboarding, and Power Cruising.
How many Joy-Con 2 do you need?
Switch 2 comes with one Joy-Con 2 pair. That's two controllers. Nintendo's store page says to "make sure you're prepared with extra Joy-Con 2 controllers" for game nights.
| Players on one console | What you need |
|---|---|
| 1 or 2 | The Joy-Con 2 pair in the box |
| 3 or 4 | Add one more Joy-Con 2 pair |
Game Informer reports that each sport uses one or two Joy-Con 2. Nintendo hasn't listed which sports need two. If a sport needs two per person, four controllers would cover only two players.
Do old Joy-Con or a Pro Controller work?
Nintendo hasn't said yet. The Resort store page only mentions Joy-Con 2.
For the older Switch Sports, Nintendo's FAQ says Pro Controllers "are not compatible." Original Joy-Con do work in that game. Skateboarding in Resort uses Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, so plan on Joy-Con 2 for that one.
I'll update this after Nintendo publishes the details.
Can you play it in handheld mode?
No. Nintendo lists TV mode and tabletop mode only. You'll be swinging the controllers, so you need the console on a TV or standing on a table.
Nintendo also reminds players to wear the wrist straps and leave room around them.
Do you need Nintendo Switch Online?
Not for playing together on one console. Nintendo lists the membership as required for online play, including GameChat.
Nintendo's page also shows a Switch 2 bundle with a full download of the game and a 3-month Nintendo Switch Online membership. I didn't find that bundle on Amazon when I checked on October 11.
The picks
Nintendo Switch 2 System
The consoleGet this if your family only has an original Switch, an OLED, or a Lite.
Skip it if you already have a Switch 2.
- Comes with
- One Joy-Con 2 pair (2 players)
- Sold by (Oct 11)
- Amazon.com
- Stock (Oct 11)
- In stock
This is the console-only version. Amazon also lists versions with a case, a Pro Controller, or a microSD card.
Check price on AmazonNintendo Joy-Con 2 (L)/(R) Light Blue/Light Red
Two playersGet this if three or four people want to play on one Switch 2.
Skip it if only one or two people will play.
- Adds
- 2 controllers
- Sold by (Oct 11)
- Amazon.com
- Stock (Oct 11)
- In stock
One pair gets a four-person house to four controllers. It's the extra Nintendo's own page points you to.
Check price on AmazonNintendo Switch Sports Resort (Switch 2)
PhysicalGet this if you want the game card to keep or share in the house.
Skip it if you'd rather download it. Amazon also sells a digital code.
- Release date
- October 22, 2026
- Sold by (Oct 11)
- Amazon.com
- Stock (Oct 11)
- Pre-order
Nintendo lists the estimated download size at 16GB.
Check price on AmazonWho can skip this
If you already have a Switch 2 and only two people will play, the game is all you need.
If your family is happy with the older Switch Sports on an original Switch, you don't have to upgrade. Resort is a separate game.