The Accolade Sports Collection bundles together five sports games from the early ’90s that, let’s be honest, don’t quite stand the test of time. Whether or not these 30-year-old entries can be considered “classics” is debatable. But, as someone who owns three of the cartridges, I can call them quasi-classics. So, does this collection deserve a spot on your Nintendo Switch?
Let’s kick things off with the two games I hadn’t previously experienced: the baseball game Hardball and its sequel. The original Hardball has my respect for setting off a series and even making a cameo in The Princess Bride. Yet, being originally released in 1985, it felt outdated by 1991 and even more so now. I attempted to reminisce about the era by playing as the NL champion Atlanta Braves, but the game only lets you select city names, which is a bit of a letdown. Despite some graphical charm, the music can quickly become repetitive and grating—though thankfully, you can mute it.
Its sequel comes with a different perspective, ditches the in-game music, offers more stadium choices, and introduces a demo mode, among other updates. The in-game manual is extensive, a sign of the depth these games boasted. However, they lack immediacy and pace, with animations that feel slow. Not exactly a “pick-up-and-play” experience, but the save feature is handy. Unless you’re nostalgic for these versions, perhaps from playing them on PC, they don’t translate well to a console today.
Now, let’s move on to Summer and Winter Challenge. Combined, they offer 16 events. I won’t go into each one, but you might suspect there’s a bit more quantity than quality here, and you wouldn’t be wrong. Still, with nostalgia firmly on, I found most events amusing.
Would retro enthusiasts find them enjoyable, too? Probably. The presentation pulls its weight, with polygonal graphics and animations that were impressive for the Genesis. The “Behind the Athlete” view adds a bit of TV broadcast flair, even if it makes a few events harder, like avoiding foot faults in pole vaulting. Gather some friends with a shared fondness for retro games, and you’re in for a button-mashing good time.
Finally, we have Hoops Shut Up and Jam, remembered by many as Barkley Shut Up and Jam. Featuring the great Sir Charles back in the ’90s, it’s much more of a traditional basketball game compared to some contemporary celebrity games. Licensing might have changed the character model, but the essence of NBA Jam-style fun is still there.
This game might be the most user-friendly of the bunch. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to retro gaming, Hoops Shut Up and Jam stands out as approachable without needing to dive into digital manuals or adapt to sluggish learning curves.
Altogether, the Accolade Sports Collection (QUByte Classics) delivers exactly what you’d expect—nothing more, nothing less. At a price tag of $19.99, it’s a stretch for a 2025 game collection, even if you’re driven by nostalgia like I am. Perhaps keep an eye out for a future sale.
