BERLIN: Once intended as a mere free-of-charge add-on for the Wii console to help accustom users to its novel controllers, the Wii Sports games have long become a Nintendo classic.

The simple concept - which basically has you using the motion-sensitive controllers to play different kinds of sports against others in your living room - has been a huge success all over the world.

Determined to ride that wave a bit longer, Nintendo has now released a version for the Nintendo Switch.

Dubbed Nintendo Switch Sports, the successor to the popular Wii game brings tennis, bowling, football, badminton, volleyball and Chambara, a kind of swordfighting, to the console. Nintendo is planning to add golf in autumn, the company said.

The game is played with the motion-sensitive Joy-Con controllers, which are either used with your hands or attached to your leg with a holster to transfer the player's own movements to the character.

Nintendo Switch Sports can be played locally with several players on one console or online against people all over the world. The latter requires paid access to Nintendo Switch Online (around €20/US$20/RM87 annually).

Fans are likely to enjoy one new feature in particular, which allows you to join forces and play as a team against other teams.

Wii Sports, the motion game for the Wii console released in 2006, sold more than 80 million units worldwide to date, according to Nintendo. Nintendo Switch Sports has similar potential, with Nintendo reporting around 103 million units sold of the Switch in its three versions since 2017.

Nintendo Switch Sports is available for purchase now and costs about €40/US$40/RM175.