1-2 Switch review – fun for all the family, for a bit

Nintendo's frantic mini-game collection will provide some hilarious multiplayer moments, but there's not enough in the package to justify its price

When Nintendo launched the Wii console in 2006 it made a crucial decision: in most regions of the world, the company bundled its eccentric and innovative hardware with a game: Wii Sports. Fun, accessible versions of bowling, tennis and golf allowed consumers to immediately understand the unique proposition of the machine. Wii Sports was what everyone experienced, talked about and shared - and in doing so, they encouraged friends to buy a Wii too. It was the perfect loss leader.

The "party game", 1-2 Switch, should really be fulfilling that role. As a collection of 28 mini-games, it has been designed to show off the capabilities of the Joy-Con controllers, with their motion sensors, HD rumble abilities and IR camera. All the games are quick and intuitive; the package is beautifully presented with fun videos showing how each task works. The emphasis is on interpersonal competition; all the games are for at least two players and most require you to look at each other rather than the screen. Here, the console becomes the facilitator rather than the focus of fun.