Sports games. A popular genre with titles like FIFA, NBA 2K, Madden NFL, and WWE 2K. But a particular one stands above all. A game so elite, so loved, bearing the test of time. Nintendo’s 2009 title, Wii Sports Resort, has become a timeless classic amongst many gamers. First released as a stand-alone title, the game was later bundled with new Nintendo Wii consoles, selling 33.14 million copies worldwide. Wii Sports Resort was a sequel to Wii Sports (2006) and, despite underselling its predecessor, received praise from critics and gamers alike for its improved controls, gameplay, and graphics. Wii Sports Resort’s controls were made easy so that anyone of any skill level could play. When the Wii dropped, it was needed in every household across the globe. It brought people and families together like Christmas and Thanksgiving, or tore them apart like Christmas and Thanksgiving. I remember receiving this console for Christmas, and Wii Sports Resort was the only game that we consistently circled back to. While Wii Sports acted as a simple simulation with just five sports (tennis, basketball, bowling, golf, and boxing), Wii Sports Resort expanded on the world, substantially increasing to 13 different sports and immersing the player in a tropical island setting called Wuhu Island. This change made the game feel like a real place, a resort, with connected activities. While playing air sports, you could fly over the swordfighting arena. From the swordfighting arena, you could see the cycling path, and from that path, you could ride past the basketball court. No other sports games to this day have such a fleshed-out yet relaxing setting, at least not one that’s relevant. Wii Sports Resort’s legacy in the era of the Wii and motion-controlled gaming cannot be understated. It helped define Nintendo’s innovative identity as a gaming company and legitimized motion control as a real gameplay method, not just a gimmick. As for clearing every other sports game, Wii Sports Resorts prioritizes actual activity over frustration and grind. It’s clear to see that this timeless, fun-filled classic remains the best sports video game.