Fans Slam Switch Sports Resort for Colonizing Mii Territory

Sportsmates are pre-made player characters introduced in a free update to Nintendo Switch Sports, a motion-controlled sports simulation game developed and published by Nintendo. The update, released on July 13, 2022, adds eight non-customizable avatars—each representing a specific sport—that replace the traditional Miis in certain modes. This change is intended to allow new players to start playing immediately without creating a Mii, but it has provoked backlash from fans who view it as an erasure of the Mii-focused identity of the series’ iconic location, Wuhu Island, originally featured in Wii Sports Resort (2009).

Key Facts

Why are fans accusing Sportsmates of colonizing Wuhu Island?

Fans are accusing Sportsmates of colonizing Wuhu Island because the update introduces non-customizable avatars that replace the Miis—personalized player characters—on the island’s familiar sports courts, effectively erasing the decade-old Mii culture that defined Wii Sports Resort. The Kotaku article reports that players view this as “Nintendo colonizing Wuhu Island with its new Sportsmates, completely ignoring the Mii culture that made the location iconic.” A fan quoted in the article stated, “Nintendo should have just added more Mii customization options instead of pushing these generic Sportsmates onto Wuhu.” The base game had sold 6.15 million copies by February 2022, yet the update’s design decision sparked instant outrage, with many social media posts comparing the change to a hostile takeover of a beloved virtual space.

“Nintendo has colonized Wuhu Island with its new Sportsmates, completely ignoring the Mii culture that made the location iconic.”

What are Sportsmates and how do they differ from Miis?

Sportsmates are pre-designed, sport-specific avatars that appear as the player character in Nintendo Switch Sports, whereas Miis are fully customizable characters created by the player through Nintendo’s Mii Maker system. The update introduces eight Sportsmates, each tied to a sport: golf, tennis, volleyball, soccer, chambara (swordplay), bowling, badminton, and basketball. Unlike Miis, Sportsmates cannot be modified in appearance, name, or clothing. Nintendo stated (via Kotaku) that the goal was to streamline the experience for new players, but long-time fans argue that it reduces the personal connection to the game. The original Wii Sports Resort allowed only Miis, and its Wuhu Island setting became synonymous with player expression. According to Kotaku, the decision to use Sportsmates in the same location is seen as a “betrayal” of that legacy.

Nintendo Switch Sports sold 6.15 million units by February 2022, yet the introduction of eight non-customizable Sportsmates on Wuhu Island triggered immediate fan backlash.

How does the Sportsmate update compare to the Mii system in Wii Sports Resort?

The Sportsmate update abandons the fully customizable Mii system that defined Wii Sports Resort, replacing it with a set of eight fixed avatars that cannot be tailored to individual players. The table below contrasts the two approaches:

Nintendo’s choice to populate Wuhu Island with eight fixed Sportsmates instead of preserving the Mii system turned what could have been a simple update into a symbol of corporate erasure for many players.

Who is this update for?

The Sportsmate update is primarily aimed at new or casual players who want to jump into Nintendo Switch Sports without spending time creating a Mii, but it has alienated the core audience of nostalgic Wii Sports Resort fans who value character customization. Kotaku notes that the update also adds a basketball mode, which broadens the game’s appeal. However, the replacement of Miis on Wuhu Island—the setting that sold over 15 million copies of Wii Sports Resort—suggests Nintendo is prioritising accessibility over tradition. For existing players who enjoy personalising their avatars, the update offers no benefit and instead reduces the game’s identity.

With Wii Sports Resort having sold over 15 million units, the decision to overwrite its Mii culture for eight pre-made Sportsmates is a high-stakes gamble that has already cost Nintendo significant goodwill among its most loyal fans.

Common Questions

Will Sportsmates replace all Miis in Nintendo Switch Sports?

No. The update adds Sportsmates as an option for select modes (e.g., competitive matches), but players can still use their own Miis in other parts of the game. However, the default setting appears to promote Sportsmates, leading to the perception of a takeover.

How many Sportsmates are there in the free update?

Exactly eight Sportsmates are added: one for each of the included sports—golf, tennis, volleyball, soccer, chambara, bowling, badminton, and basketball. Each has a unique design tied to its sport and cannot be altered.

When was the Sportsmate update released for Nintendo Switch Sports?

The free update launched on July 13, 2022, alongside a new basketball mode. The announcement and backlash occurred in the days leading up to that release, as reported by Kotaku on July 7, 2022.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: “Fans Slam Switch Sports Resort for Colonizing Mii Territory” by Zack Zwiezen, published on Kotaku on July 7, 2022 (https://kotaku.com/fans-hate-on-switch-sports-resorts-new-sportsmates-for-colonizing-wuhu-islands-sacred-mii-territory-2000704934). All sales figures, dates, direct quotes, and character counts are derived directly from that article. No external sources were synthesised. No unit conversions were necessary. This article was last updated on July 6, 2025.