Looking back at gaming gems from the early ’90s, the Accolade Sports Collection presents five titles that definitely show their age. Whether these treasures are truly “classic” or “epic” is up for debate, but having owned three of them in cartridge form myself, I see them as quasi-classics. So, is snagging this collection for your Nintendo Switch a move worth making?
Let’s dive into the two baseball games I didn’t have in my collection before: Hardball and its sequel. The original Hardball holds a special place in history, not just for what it brought to the gaming table when it first hit the scene or for becoming a long-standing series, but also for its cameo in The Princess Bride’s opening. Originally released in 1985, by the time 1991 rolled around, it was already feeling a bit outdated compared to its peers—let alone now! When I wanted to play as the Atlanta Braves, reigning champs of the NL in ’91, I was left with only city names to pick from. Disappointing, but not unexpected. Despite this, the game still looks decent, though its repetitive tunes might wear on your patience if you play for a while (thankfully, there’s an option to mute them).
The sequel switches things up with a new perspective, more stadium choices, and even a demo mode reminiscent of sports games from that period. While it offers depth (evidenced by an in-game manual with over a dozen pages), it can be slow to get into. The pace feels sluggish due to the old-school animations, which, while impressive for their time, aren’t as captivating now. It’s not exactly a quick pick-up-and-play option, though the save feature is handy. Unless you have fond memories of the PC versions of these Hardball games, the console iterations don’t quite hold up.
Turning to Summer and Winter Challenge next, they collectively boast 16 events, a decent range, although I can’t discuss each one in detail. You might think these games favor quantity over quality, and you’d have a point. Yet, I find them quite enjoyable, admittedly with my nostalgia glasses firmly on.
For those with an affinity for retro vibes, there’s fun to be had. The games’ visual presentation goes a long way towards their appeal, featuring impressive polygons for the Genesis and animations that show some effort was clearly put in. The “Behind the Athlete” perspective adds a unique TV broadcast flavor to these 16-bit games. Some events are tough—like trying not to foul during the pole vault—but with friends who appreciate retro gaming, there’s definite button-mashing joy to be had.
Lastly, we have Hoops Shut Up and Jam, known to many as Barkley Shut Up and Jam. Like the NBA’s ’90s legends, Sir Charles had his time to shine in his own game. Luckily, it’s actually basketball-focused—unlike Michael Jordan’s platformer or Shaq’s fighting game. His likeness gets a minor tweak for modern licensing reasons, but it’s still the same NBA Jam-esque fun you remember.
More notably, it’s the most accessible game in this collection. Even for those just dipping their toes into retro gaming, this game is easy to pick up. As a seasoned player, I can attest to its simplicity, and for those not eager to sift through digital manuals or endure steep learning curves, it’s the standout title here—even without Barkley’s name front and center.
In essence, the Accolade Sports Collection (QUByte Classics) gives exactly what you’d expect—no surprises on either end. But at a price tag of $19.99, it’s a bit of a tough sell for a 2025 compilation, even if you’re someone like me who feels nostalgic about these games. I’d recommend adding this one to your wishlist and waiting for a discount down the line.
