No, Nintendo Switch Sports does not have hockey. Its sports include soccer, bowling, tennis, badminton, volleyball, chambara, golf, and basketball, but there is no ice hockey or field hockey mode.
If you are looking for hockey on a Nintendo Switch, you will need a separate game. This guide explains what Nintendo Switch Sports does include, why chambara is not hockey, and what to look for in a hockey game instead. You will also find a quick comparison to help you choose based on whether you want motion-controlled party play, arcade action, or a more traditional hockey experience.
Does nintendo switch sports have hockey?
No. Nintendo Switch Sports has no hockey sport, mode, team, or rink. You cannot select ice hockey or field hockey from its sports menu, and there is no hockey option hidden behind an unlock or a special controller accessory.
The game is a collection of motion-controlled sports. Its current lineup includes soccer, volleyball, badminton, tennis, bowling, chambara, golf, and basketball. Hockey is not among them. If you already own the game, there is no setting you can change to add it.
This distinction matters because some of the sports can look like they might share equipment or movements with hockey. Chambara uses sword-like controllers, and soccer uses a ball and a goal. Neither mode includes a puck, sticks, skating, or hockey rules.
Which sports are in Nintendo Switch Sports?
Nintendo Switch Sports focuses on short matches and simple motion controls. You swing, move, or aim a Joy-Con to perform actions in each sport. The game does not try to simulate every real-world sport, so its roster is a selection rather than a complete sports catalog.
| Sport | What you do | Is it hockey? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soccer | Move and kick a ball toward a goal | No | Team play and goal-scoring |
| Volleyball | Set, bump, and spike a ball | No | Timing and partner play |
| Badminton | Return a shuttlecock across a net | No | Quick one-on-one rallies |
| Tennis | Swing to return a ball across a court | No | Racket-sport matches |
| Bowling | Roll a ball toward pins | No | Casual competition |
| Chambara | Use a sword-like controller in a dueling match | No | Short motion-control duels |
| Golf | Take turns hitting a ball toward a hole | No | Measured, turn-based play |
| Basketball | Play a motion-controlled basketball mode | No | Hoops-style play with friends |
Golf and basketball are part of the game’s lineup through software updates. That can lead to confusion if you remember an earlier roster or have not updated your copy. However, neither update adds hockey.
Soccer is the closest match if you mainly want a team sport with a ball and a goal. It still does not reproduce hockey’s skating, sticks, puck movement, boards, or rules. Choose it for a different kind of quick team competition, not as a hockey substitute.
Why chambara is not a hockey mode
Chambara is a sword-fighting sport in which players try to knock an opponent off a platform. The Joy-Con acts as a sword, and its motion controls register attacks and defensive movements. That use of a handheld controller may remind some players of swinging a hockey stick, but the resemblance ends there.
There is no puck to control, no ice surface, and no team trying to score in a net. Chambara is a duel between opponents, not a team sport. Its scoring and objectives are built around balance and pushing the other player out of the play area.
Similarly, Nintendo Switch Sports soccer is not a hockey mode with different equipment. Players aim a ball at a goal, but the sport’s movement and rules are soccer-based. A Joy-Con accessory or a different way of holding the controller cannot change the game’s rules or turn either sport into hockey.
What hockey game can you play on Nintendo Switch?
If you want hockey on the same console, look for a separate game in the Nintendo eShop or at a retailer. One known Switch option is Super Blood Hockey, an arcade-style game built around exaggerated, fast hockey action. It is not part of Nintendo Switch Sports and does not aim to be a realistic NHL simulation.
Before buying, check the product listing for platform compatibility, local multiplayer details, online features, and age-rating information. Hockey titles can differ sharply in style. An arcade game may favor quick matches and exaggerated action, while a simulation-focused game would aim for more lifelike teams and rules.
| Option | Hockey content | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Sports | No hockey mode | Motion-controlled collection of several sports | Families and groups who want varied party sports |
| Super Blood Hockey | Yes, hockey is the central sport | Arcade action with exaggerated presentation | Players seeking a hockey-themed game on Switch |
| Hockey game on another platform | Depends on the specific title | May offer a different mix of arcade or simulation play | Players who want features unavailable in Switch Sports |
The table compares different kinds of choices, not interchangeable versions of the same game. Nintendo Switch Sports is a multi-sport party game, while a hockey title gives you hockey-specific play. If realistic teams, licensed leagues, or detailed season modes matter to you, inspect the exact game’s listing rather than assuming every hockey game includes them.
How to choose a hockey game for your Switch
Use these checks before purchasing. They help prevent the common mistake of buying a sports collection and expecting it to contain a sport that is not listed.
- Confirm that hockey is named in the game description. Do not rely on a cover image, a general sports label, or a resemblance to another sport. Look for hockey in the actual feature list.
- Check the game’s platform. A hockey game available on a console, PC, or mobile device may not have a Nintendo Switch version. Confirm that the listing specifically names Nintendo Switch.
- Decide what kind of hockey you want. Arcade hockey prioritizes quick action and simplified rules. A simulation aims for a more realistic presentation, but available modes and licenses vary by title.
- Review multiplayer details. Look for whether the game supports local play on one console, online matches, or both. If you plan to play with family or friends in the same room, local multiplayer is especially important.
- Check presentation and age guidance. Hockey games may use comic violence or other content that differs from Nintendo Switch Sports. Read the rating and content notes if children will play.
These checks are useful because a game’s genre label alone does not tell you how it plays. A title can contain hockey without providing the teams, modes, or realistic rules you expect. Confirm the details that matter to you before spending money.
Can an update, accessory, or online mode add hockey?
No update or accessory turns Nintendo Switch Sports into a hockey game. Updates can add or adjust content, but hockey is not among the sports in the game. Motion-control accessories change how you hold or wear a Joy-Con; they do not add new gameplay systems.
Online play does not unlock a hidden hockey mode either. It lets you play supported Nintendo Switch Sports activities with other players, subject to the game’s online requirements. The available sports remain the game’s listed sports.
This is a practical point to remember when searching for a workaround. Videos or product images may show players holding Joy-Cons like sticks, but that does not mean the game recognizes hockey moves or includes puck physics. A controller motion only has an effect that the selected game mode is designed to read.
Is Nintendo Switch Sports still a good choice for sports fans?
It can be a good choice if you want approachable sports games to play with other people. Its range includes racket sports, team activities, bowling, golf, basketball, and chambara. The simple controls make it easier to start a match without learning a long list of buttons or rules.
It is a less suitable choice if hockey is the main reason you want a sports game. Buying Nintendo Switch Sports will not give you a hockey season, a puck-based match, or hockey teams to select. In that case, spend time checking a dedicated hockey title instead.
It can still make sense to own both types of game if you enjoy varied group play and hockey. Treat them as separate choices: Nintendo Switch Sports for its mix of motion-controlled activities, and a hockey game for hockey-specific action. That expectation keeps the strengths of each game clear.
Common questions about hockey and Nintendo Switch Sports
Does Nintendo Switch Sports have ice hockey?
No. It does not include ice hockey, skating, a puck, or hockey teams. A separate Switch game is needed for hockey play.
Does Nintendo Switch Sports have field hockey?
No. The game has neither field hockey nor ice hockey. Its soccer mode is a different sport and does not use hockey equipment or rules.
Can you play hockey with two Joy-Cons in Nintendo Switch Sports?
No. Two Joy-Cons do not create a hockey mode. The game only responds to the control actions programmed for its supported sports.
Is Super Blood Hockey part of Nintendo Switch Sports?
No. Super Blood Hockey is a separate game. It is an arcade-style hockey option for Nintendo Switch, not downloadable hockey content for Nintendo Switch Sports.
Is soccer in Nintendo Switch Sports close to hockey?
Only in the broad sense that both can involve teams and scoring goals. Soccer uses a ball and soccer-style play; it has no sticks, puck, skating, or hockey rules. It is not a replacement if you want to play hockey.
Does nintendo switch sports have hockey? No. It includes several motion-controlled sports, but neither ice hockey nor field hockey is one of them, and no accessory or update changes that.
If hockey is what you want to play, check a separate Nintendo Switch title such as Super Blood Hockey and confirm its features before buying. Choose Nintendo Switch Sports for its own mix of party sports, not as a hockey game.