PSA: Nintendo Switch Sports must be played docked for local multiplayer

To some this makes perfect sense, to others, it doesn’t

Juuuuuust in case you’re going to try and attempt Nintendo Switch Sports multiplayer with friends on a Switch Lite, or on the go in tabletop mode, there’s something you should probably know first.

As Twitter user Akfamilyhome points out, you cannot use tabletop mode or the Switch Lite to play Nintendo Switch Sports via local multiplayer. In fact, when you attempt to do so, the game brings up a screen, stating, “when two or more people are playing, you’ll need to use TV mode: Please insert the Nintendo Switch console into the Nintendo Switch dock.” This notification pops up even for a Switch Lite. Note that this setup also involves owning separate Joy-Con, because you need to have detached controllers to even play Nintendo Switch Sports.

So this is the same exact format as Mario Tennis Aces, which also had a similar philosophy with tabletop local multiplayer. You can still play solo in tabletop mode and/or with the Switch Lite (including online play), but not locally.

Nintendo clearly, without overtly stating it, does not want folks swinging their arms or feet into each other in close proximity. However, some fans want Nintendo to implement tabletop local multiplayer for motion-controlled games anyway; and provide a sufficient enough warning on-screen to waive any responsibility.

It’s a tough decision either way. The game can clearly handle it, but Nintendo probably wants to avoid any liability.