Nintendo has announced an update will soon hit Nintendo Switch Sports that adds new moves, ranks, and online functionality. The long-awaited follow-up to Wii Sports, Nintendo Switch Sports has received mostly favorable reviews for its fun party mechanics. Although the upcoming update won't add any new games like Golf, which is set to be added in future months, it intends to expand upon gameplay with fun new features.

Nintendo Switch Sports launched with 6 games under its umbrella: Volleyball, Badminton, Bowling, Soccer, Tennis, and Chambara. Most games offer players a handful of different moves at their disposal - for example, Volleyball features classic bump, set and spike moves alongside blocking, and Soccer lets players kick, pass, and dive head first for the ball. A Leg Strap was offered with the physical edition of the game for players to utilize during Soccer, although it can currently only be used in Shoot Out Mode and not versus games. In classic party game style, the game currently offers local multiplayer, and allows friends to play Nintendo Switch Sports online by making Rooms for others to join.

Related: Nintendo Switch Sports Review: Super Simplistic Mega Fun

A Twitter post from Nintendo of America this week teased new Nintendo Switch Sports features that will come to the game in an update on July 26. Further elaborated upon on the Nintendo website, the update will add several new elements to the game. The Leg Strap will be able to be utilized in regular Soccer matches, and in-game running during the game can now be controlled through jogging-style arm movements. Players who control their character in this way can enjoy more powerful kicks. Volleyball will also receive two new moves: Slide Attack and Rocket Serve. In online Pro League mode, players can now transcend A rank to reach S and ∞ ranks, and can "easily join Friend Matches using Room IDs" in what sounds like an improved online functionality.

Although some players may have been hoping that this update would bring new games to Nintendo Switch Sports, the improved features and new moves are still a welcome addition to the game. Many fans sprung for a physical copy of the game specifically for the Leg Strap, and this new update will likely help them feel more justified in their purchase now that it can be implemented in regular Soccer matches. New moves in Volleyball, which has been a fan-favorite game out of the assortment offered, are bound to help make games more exciting now that opponents' move patterns may not be so obvious. More online possibilities are also a solid improvement, as multiplayer is the main component that makes Nintendo Switch Sports enjoyable.

While it's certain that there will be some players who still can't help but compare Wii Sports and Nintendo Switch Sports, it's nice for fans to see that Nintendo isn't relegating updates for the title to just adding new games - improving existing ones is also a priority. Adding variety to gameplay and improving the key multiplayer element of the game are important things in their own way for the title to maintain longevity. Although it's still unclear when players may see new sports come to the game, it's undeniable Nintendo Switch Sports will also benefit from additions like the ones coming later this month.

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Source: NintendoNintendo of America/Twitter