Of the many upcoming Nintendo Switch games set to release later this year, Nintendo Switch Sports is one that many have had their eye on. Serving as a continuation of the Wii Sports series, Nintendo Switch Sports includes a multitude of new activities for players to partake in. Though, something that some fans may have missed is the overworld presented within the game.
One of the most creative and often overlooked qualities of Wii Sports Resort was the hub world that housed all the different sporting events players could participate in. The overworld of Wuhu Island was not only an integral part of Wii Sports Resort's aesthetic, but it also could be physically explored via the Island Flyover game. Nintendo Switch Sports also features a similar overworld called SPOCCO Square, which Nintendo has recently shown off in greater detail.
Over on Twitter, the official account for Nintendo of America revealed brand-new screenshots of SPOCCO Square, which will hopefully give players a better idea of what the final version of Nintendo Switch Sports will look like. While it's unclear whether Nintendo will allow SPOCCO Square to be fully traversable, it's unlikely that it will be presented in the same format as Wuhu Island, where players could fly around in an airplane.
SPOCCO Square itself looks quite inviting from a visual standpoint. Being able to see Miis in the background of sporting matches, standing on platforms in order to watch the game, adds a certain layer of realism and depth that's similar to previous Wii Sports iterations. It's possible that Nintendo Switch Sports may potentially feature other popular aspects of Wii Sports, such as Matt, the personal trainer.
It's fascinating to see just how much importance has been placed on Hub worlds over the years. Oftentimes, players find overworlds like Wuhu Island and SPOCCO Square to be just as interesting as what the core content of the game has to offer. For instance, after introducing the concept of Mother Base in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Mother Base became a physical location for players to explore and customize in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
In any case, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Nintendo Switch Sports going forward. Earlier this month, it was announced that new sports would be added to Nintendo Switch Sports after launch, with golf being the very first sport to be added. While Nintendo hasn't shared any further details, many fans are certainly excited for what's to come.
Nintendo Switch Sports releases on April 29, 2022, for Nintendo Switch.
