After spending a weekend with Everybody 1-2 Switch, my biggest takeaway is that you’ll get more enjoyment out of playing it with the right people. Some friends enjoy video games, while others haven’t picked up a controller in years. So, when you get a group like that together to play games over a long weekend, you begin to see where and when a party game succeeds and where it falters. In the case of the follow-up to one of the Nintendo Switch’s launch titles, Everybody 1-2 Switch! includes some interesting minigames but falls flat as a party title.
In the six years between the launch of 1-2 Switch, Nintendo’s console has added many fantastic party titles for groups of all sizes. In addition, you can also find some of the best video games readily available, leaving you with a mountain of choices. Six years ago, the Switch’s launch library had few games to select from, so you likely had to pick up what was available.
Everybody 1-2 Switch! – A Baffling Mix of Party Games
The first entry wasn’t offensive in the slightest, but it featured very little and was forgettable. I can say that outside of the first five months of the Switch’s lifespan, I haven’t even considered playing 1-2 Switch. Hearing a sequel was not only stealth announced but also arriving at the end of June piqued my interest, and as the release date rolled around, I had hoped to hear it would improve on its predecessor and to my surprise it’s more of the same.
This is the same game that Imran Khan, a former editor at FanByte, revealed tested so poorly Nintendo was unsure of how to release it. Playtests left groups bored, with many of the games being tedious at best. And after playing it, I can see why these groups felt like that. In short, there’s some fun with the right group, but don’t expect a second outing if you decide to play Everybody 1-2 Switch again. You’ll likely play this game once and move on without a second thought.
Everybody 1-2 Switch is also priced better than its predecessor, whereas, in Canada, you can nab a copy for $40 on the eShop. That’s not the worst way to blow money with friends for a night of entertainment with pizza and drinks. The original 1-2 Switch supported just a handful of players locally; its sequel now supports up to eight players locally with additional support for up to 100 players via smart device mode. To activate this mode, a QR code appears on the screen. Those willing to participate are required to scan the code. If you’ve ever played any of the JackBox or Just Dance titles in recent years, support via your phone has become standard for party games.
With fewer games than its predecessor but added support for mobile devices, the price seems fair, given the trade-off. However, not every game can be played with only Joy-Cons and mobile devices, so you must ensure access to both when playing this party game.
There’s no longevity in this collection
I haven’t talked much about the games themselves, which are a mixed bag, if I’m being honest. Some of the minigames are great, and I found them enjoyable, but others make you want to move on as quickly as possible. Balloons are one of my favourites as it reminds me of The Simpsons Arcade game, where one of the minigames had you attempting to blow the giant balloon up without popping it — the same idea applies here. You use the Joy-Con and imitate pumping motion to follow the guide to reach the intended balloon size. Sometimes, you can turn the guides off or focus on popping the opponent’s balloon.
Samurai Sword Fights pits upward of four players together in 2v2 battles as you aim to get the fasted draw time with your Joy-Con. Hip Thrust is a bit more physical and pits two players facing away from each other while bumping the Joy-Con behind their back at the other player to knock them off a platform.
Smart device games are much more traditional, and these might work better for a group. Some games include a version of Bingo and Colour Shoot — a minigame where you must find and snap a photo of the same coloured object with your phone. Another minigame is a lighthearted take on the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who; with your phone or Joy-Con, you must reach the goal without being caught moving. Some minigames are enjoyable, while others feel uninspired and phoned in, like Bingo, a game I’ve only seen the elderly play.
Another minigame, Auction, can be an experience where you bid for various items through your phone and hope to win the top bid while trying to beat the opposing team. Quiz Show is the most popular minigame to come out of the group, a true or false game where you aim to answer faster than your opponents. There’s also an iteration of musical chairs where you must continually move until the signal signs you to touch the floor with your phone.
One of the most original games included is Joy-Con Hide and Seek, where two teams are pitted against each other, and one teammate hides their controller while the other team begins seeking it out. The opposing team can make the hidden controller vibrate to make this game work.
Verdict
Everybody 1-2-Switch! offers a brief sliver of fun for a group of friends, but its lack of longevity makes this entry a forgettable affair. However, unlike Nintendo’s impressive track record, it falls short of the mark. While enjoyable aspects can be found, the game struggles to leave a lasting impression and doesn’t quite achieve the same level of excellence as its predecessor. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a light-hearted diversion for specific occasions, Everybody 1-2-Switch! might hit the spot.
So, gather your friends, prepare for some amusing moments, and give Everybody 1-2-Switch! a spin. While it may not reach the pinnacle of Nintendo’s party game legacy, it still offers a playful escape that can bring joy to the right setting.
[The publisher provided a copy of the game for review purposes.]
Reviewed on: Switch
