6.5 /10 0

Go Vacation represents a different era of party gaming, transporting players to Kawawii Island’s four sprawling resort zones where discovery matters more than competition. Originally released for the Wii in 2011, this 2018 Switch port retains the open-world exploration charm while adding photo modes and HD Rumble support. Critics recognize its value as a family-friendly multiplayer experience, particularly for younger players seeking accessible activities without pressure, though veteran gamers frequently criticize the shallow minigame mechanics and dated presentation.

How to Play Go Vacation

Go Vacation prioritizes relaxed exploration over competitive intensity. Players roam Kawawii Island by foot or vehicle, discovering activities organically while building their vacation experience at a personal pace without forced progression.

1. Controls – Standard Joy-Con buttons work well for most activities, though motion controls add authenticity for specific sports like skiing and surfing with an optional learning curve
2. Progression – Activities unlock through exploration rather than menus; players discover new sports by visiting each of four resorts (Marine, City, Snow, Mountain)
3. Mechanics – Each activity handles differently with simplified controls designed for accessibility; difficulty increases gradually as you replay events and unlock harder variants
4. Tips – Spend early hours exploring to unlock full content roster; return to favorite activities as control depth reveals itself through repeated play; share single Joy-Con for instant multiplayer setup

Who Should Play Go Vacation

Go Vacation appeals primarily to families and casual players seeking low-pressure multiplayer rather than competitive challenge. The resort setting and discovery-based gameplay attract different demographics than traditional party games.

• Family Players – Parents with younger children (ages 5-12) enjoy the accessible difficulty, variety of activities, and relaxed pace without controller-throwing frustrations
• Exploration Enthusiasts – Gamers who prefer open-world discovery and customization over minigame mechanics will find the island exploration surprisingly engaging
• Local Multiplayer Seekers – Groups wanting couch co-op experiences appreciate the four-player support and ability to share Joy-Con controllers
• Skip if – Competitive players, those seeking deep gameplay mechanics, or anyone expecting premium presentation quality will find Go Vacation frustrating and dated

Go Vacation Platform Performance

Go Vacation runs natively on Nintendo Switch with consistent frame rates across handheld and docked modes. The 8.8GB file size is reasonable, though the game’s aging engine means optimization wasn’t a development priority.

Go Vacation System Requirements

Go Vacation is exclusive to Nintendo Switch with no PC or other platform versions released. The game requires only a Switch system and sufficient storage space for the 8.8GB install.

Similar Games to Go Vacation

Go Vacation occupies a unique niche as a relaxed resort-exploration party game. Few titles match its specific combination of open-world discovery with minigame collections, though several alternatives offer comparable experiences for different playstyles.

• Wii Sports Resort – The spiritual predecessor that Go Vacation expands upon; focuses purely on sports minigames without exploration elements
• Mario Party Superstars – Offers competitive minigame play with strategy components but lacks the relaxed exploration and customization options
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics – Provides massive activity variety but emphasizes classic board and card games rather than sports
• Switch Sports – Delivers higher-quality individual sports experiences with online play, though fewer total activities and no exploration

Go Vacation vs Competitors

Go Vacation competes primarily in the family party game space against established Nintendo franchises. Its strength lies in quantity and exploration, while competitors excel in presentation and individual game depth.

Go Vacation Story and World

Go Vacation abandons traditional narrative for environmental storytelling through Kawawii Island’s four distinct resorts. The Marine Resort features coastal activities with underwater exploration; the City Resort offers urban sports and competitions; the Snow Resort delivers winter-themed challenges; and the Mountain Resort focuses on elevation-based adventures. Each area is fully explorable via horseback, buggy, snowmobile, jet ski, and inline skates, creating a sense of genuine vacation rather than isolated minigame selection screens. Customization extends to character appearance, pet dogs, home decoration with 450+ furniture pieces, and daily challenges that encourage return visits. The tone emphasizes relaxation and personal progression over competitive urgency, making it distinctly family-oriented despite lacking substantial character or dialogue development.

Go Vacation Multiplayer and Online

Go Vacation supports both local and online multiplayer, allowing up to four players to explore Kawawii Island together or compete in activities. Online functionality requires Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

• Local Multiplayer – Supports up to 4 players on single system; each player can use one Joy-Con, Pro Controller, or shared Joy-Con pairs
• Online Multiplayer – Play activities with 1-4 players online; full exploration mode available with online friends
• Shared Joy-Con Mode – Unique feature allowing two players to share one Joy-Con controller for immediate multiplayer accessibility
• Cross-Play – Local play only; no cross-platform online support available

Go Vacation DLC and Expansions

Go Vacation launched without post-launch DLC plans. Nintendo and developer Bandai Namco have not released costume packs, activity additions, or seasonal content in the years following launch, keeping the base game as the definitive version.

• Post-Launch Content – No DLC, costume packs, or expansion passes released
• Free Updates – Occasional stability patches; no feature additions or new activities added since 2018
• Community Requests – The lack of content updates disappointed players seeking seasonal activities or additional minigames
• Future Support – No official announcements regarding planned content or sequel development

Go Vacation Community and Support

Go Vacation maintains modest community engagement through Nintendo’s official channels. The game lacks active developer communication or structured community programs compared to online-focused titles, though players continue sharing exploration discoveries and multiplayer moments.

• Official Support – Nintendo Switch Support page hosts FAQs and technical documentation; limited developer communication
• Reddit and Discord – r/NintendoSwitch and family gaming communities discuss strategies, but dedicated fan communities remain small
• Social Features – Mii integration allows local play against AI versions of friends; no robust online community features
• Update Frequency – Minimal patch support since 2018; no active roadmap or developer engagement updates