The Nintendo Switch 2’s Open-World Era Is Officially Here, and It Rules

When I first played Mario Kart World last June, I didn’t quite get its open-world mode. Free Roam was a novel idea, but I was initially put off by its lack of substantial world activities and its slew of weak rewards. I came to appreciate it much more over time as a chill playground that gave me space to master all the nuances of driving and jumping.

Still, I left feeling like it was a first draft of a great idea that could stand to be iterated on. I didn’t expect that iteration to come in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort of all places. Nintendo’s latest round of motion-controlled minigames offers some reliable fun for anyone who still has a fondness for the Wii Sports era.

But while Bowling and Boxing are as enjoyable as ever, the real reason to play the collection is its trio of leisure activities: Prop Plane, Skateboarding, and Power Cruising. All of those not only show off how precise the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons can be, but riff on Mario Kart World’s free-roaming joys to great success. Leisure activities are low-stakes minigames that let you explore every corner of Wuhu Island, the game’s setting.

Prop Plane lets you see it from the skies, as you hold your Joy-Con like a paper airplane and carefully tilt through caves. Skateboarding is an on-the-ground experience that allows you to examine every detail of the environment. And Power Cruising drops you on a jet ski and sets you loose in the water around the island.

All three activities are among the finest offerings in the collection because they all hinge on ingenious, responsive motion controls. Kicking back a skateboard with mouse controls and revving your jet ski by twisting your Joy-Con like a handle bar both have the same magic that once made swinging a virtual tennis racket feel so magical. Even more delightful to discover is the fact that these modes take a lot of notes from Mario Kart World.

Wuhu Island is full of collectible photo spots, mini-challenges, and well-hidden treasures. You can either play a timed run where you try to do as much as you can in five minutes, or just enjoy it all in a freeplay mode. Like Free Roam, it’s a laid-back bit of exploration that makes for a great come down between high-stress games of Table Tennis.