Parents' Guide to Go Vacation

This updated collection of mini-games manages to pack in a lot of fun, but players have to be willing to put in some exploration before they uncover all of it. Go Vacation is the latest game to make its way from an older Nintendo platform to newer machines. In its heyday, the Wii was home to all kinds of casual mini-game collections that used the system's unique features to get gamers more involved in the experience. The original Go Vacation was one of the better collections, bringing friends and families together against the backdrop of a fun island getaway. Now Switch owners get the opportunity to check out everything Kawawii Island has to offer. But is this a vacation spot worth revisiting after years away, or has time passed it by? The answer to both questions, oddly enough, is yes.

Go Vacation is best described as a slow burn. While you might want to dive right in to the action and play some of your favorite mini-games with friends, you first have to unlock each individual activity. This means visiting each nook and cranny of the island to find them. Considering there are over 50 mini-games spread out over four parts of the island, that's a LOT of ground to cover. The game also feels a bit awkward. For starters, despite the enhancements to its presentation, it still looks a lot like a Wii title. Also, making the jump to Switch meant ditching certain control schemes, like the Wii Balance Board, which results in oversimplified controls that start to feel boring over time. That being said, the game does get better as you progress. Not only do you get wider access to the activities, which can be much more fun with friends, but you also unlock side missions that give you an excuse to further explore the island for treasure and photo ops. This can be surprisingly relaxing and feels more like an actual vacation. Ultimately, Go Vacation can be an entertaining place to unwind ... just expect to put some work into it first.