The Epyx Games: Sports Collection Review

A Nostalgic Sprint with Some Hurdles

The Epyx Games: Sports Collection for Nintendo Switch arrives with a hefty dose of nostalgia, promising to transport players back to the golden age of 8-bit sports gaming. Featuring a selection of Epyx’s most recognisable titles, including entries from the Summer Games and Winter Games series, as well as — and about this I was rather excited — California Games, the collection aims to recapture the simple yet addictive gameplay that defined a generation. However, the execution, while not a complete fumble, doesn’t quite stick the landing (much like my attempts at the pole vault, to be fair), hampered by a barebones presentation and some uneven gameplay elements.

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Gameplay: A Decathlon of Mixed Fortunes

The collection presents a diverse range of sporting activities, from track and field events like the 100-metre sprint and javelin throw to more specialised disciplines like skateboarding, BMX and hackysack. Each game boasts its own unique control scheme, often relying on precise timing, rhythmic button presses, and careful joystick (or in this case, Joy-Con) manipulation. While this approach is charmingly retro, evoking the feel of classic arcade cabinets, it also exposes some of the collection’s most glaring weaknesses when considering a home console port in 2024.

Certain games, particularly those from the Summer Games series, retain a surprising amount of playability. Mastering the nuances of each event, from perfecting the starting sprint in the 100m to achieving the optimal angle and power in the javelin throw, still provides a satisfying challenge. The simple controls make it easy to pick up and play, ideal for quick bursts of nostalgic fun, especially in local multiplayer.

Unfortunately, not all games have aged equally well. Some titles suffer from clunky and unresponsive controls by modern standards, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. This is especially noticeable in events requiring precise movements, such as the gymnastics routines in Summer Games or the halfpipe in California Games. The lack of any updated control schemes, optional tutorials, or even clear in-game instructions further exacerbates this issue, leaving new players to decipher the often obscure mechanics through trial and error. The instruction manual from the original releases is available in-game but you need to pause, move to the right page from the start each time, and then remember it when you go back to your go. Or write them down elsewhere. Whilst good that it’s not just button-mashing to run fast, this does make it more complicated and requires some practice and learning until it’s no problem anymore. And by then, you may be done. 

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Graphics and Sound: A Blast from the Past, Faithfully Recreated

Visually, the Epyx Games: Sports Collection is a largely faithful recreation of the original games. The pixelated graphics exude a certain retro charm. The collection offers several display options, including filters that attempt to emulate the look of old CRT televisions, complete with scanlines and screen curvature. While these filters add to the nostalgic atmosphere, they can also make the visuals appear blurry on modern high-definition displays. Thankfully, there's an option for a clean, unfiltered pixel presentation, which provides a sharper, more visually appealing experience.

The sound design is equally faithful, with the iconic 8-bit chiptune soundtracks and sound effects being faithfully reproduced. While these sounds may seem simplistic by today’s standards, they are an integral part of the retro experience and contribute significantly to the game’s nostalgic charm. However, the lack of any remastered audio or additional sound options feels like a missed opportunity.

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The Switch as a Controller: A Mixed Bag

The Nintendo Switch, with its versatile Joy-Con controllers, presents an interesting platform for this collection. The ability to detach the Joy-Cons and use them for local multiplayer is a definite plus, allowing for quick and easy two-player competitions. However, the Joy-Cons’ small size and button layout can sometimes make precise inputs challenging, particularly in games that rely on quick button presses or specific directional inputs.

The D-pad on the left Joy-Con, while functional, isn’t the most comfortable for extended play sessions, especially in games that require frequent directional changes. Using a Pro Controller offers a more comfortable and precise control experience, but this requires an additional purchase and somewhat defeats the purpose of the Joy-Con’s built-in multiplayer functionality. The motion controls of the Joy-Cons are not utilised in any significant way, which feels like a missed opportunity to add a modern twist to some of the events, but it is in keeping with the approach of this game collection.

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The Port: A Barebones Presentation

The quality of the port itself is one of the collection’s biggest shortcomings. While the games are faithfully recreated technically, little effort has been made to enhance the overall experience. The menu system is functional but incredibly basic, lacking any real visual flair or personality. There are no historical documents, developer interviews, behind-the-scenes content, or other bonus features to provide context or deepen the sense of nostalgia. This lack of extra content feels like a significant missed opportunity to celebrate the history of these classic games. I guess this isn’t a surprise or even a problem depending on your point of view (considering its price point we shouldn’t expect any more than what we have), but with remakes, remasters and re-releases so prominent in this generation it’s hard not to get this and go “oh”. 

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Longevity: Short Bursts of Retro Fun

The Epyx Games: Sports Collection offers a decent amount of content in terms of the number of games included. However, the limited depth of individual titles and the absence of online multiplayer significantly restrict its long-term replayability. While mastering each event can provide some initial satisfaction, the lack of any progression system, unlockable content, or meaningful single-player modes means that the experience can become repetitive rather quickly. Local multiplayer can provide some enjoyable moments with friends, but once you’ve played through the events a few times, there’s not much incentive to return. Again, it is a retro collection and in its day it was incredible, but not everything retro is right for now. 

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Conclusion: A Nostalgic Curiosity with Untapped Potential

The Epyx Games: Sports Collection for Nintendo Switch is a decent trip down memory lane for those who grew up with these classic 8-bit sports games. However, its barebones presentation, uneven gameplay, lack of online multiplayer, and missed opportunities with the Switch’s unique hardware prevent it from being a truly essential purchase. While the nostalgia factor may be enough for some, others will likely find themselves wishing for a more polished, feature-rich, and complete package. It’s best suited for short bursts of retro fun rather than extended play sessions, a nostalgic curiosity rather than a must-have title.