The Accolade Sports Collection pulls together five sports games from the early ’90s, showcasing their vintage charm—or perhaps their age. Now, whether these over-30-year-old games can be considered "classics" is up for debate, as is their epic status as a collection. Personally, owning three of these games on cartridge nudges them into classic territory for me. So, is this package a must-have for Nintendo Switch users?
Let’s kick things off with the baseball duo that I hadn’t previously owned: Hardball and its sequel. The original Hardball deserves respect for its groundbreaking features and for kicking off a series, not to mention its cameo in The Princess Bride. However, it first hit the scene in 1985 and felt a bit out-of-date by 1991 standards, let alone now. I aimed to relive the ’91 era by playing as the NL champion Atlanta Braves, but you can only choose city names. While somewhat expected, it was a letdown. Still, the game’s visuals hold up, although the repetitive tune can wear on you after a while. Thankfully, it can be muted!
Hardball’s sequel shakes things up with a fresh perspective, removes in-game music, and adds more stadium choices and a demo mode—typical of sports games back then. There’s an impressive amount of depth, as shown by the extensive in-game manual that outpages the Olympic-style games in this compendium. However, this also means there’s a lack of immediacy. The game doesn’t speed along, with animations (impressive for the era) slowing gameplay. It’s not your typical pick-up-and-play game, although save features are a boon. Unless you have a nostalgic connection to the Hardball series—especially the PC versions—it’s tough to recommend these on console.
Next on the list are Summer and Winter Challenge, offering 16 events in total, split equally between them. While I’m not about to deep dive event-by-event, it’s easy to assume this collection prioritizes quantity over quality. Yet, there’s undeniable enjoyment to be found, especially if nostalgia colors your gaming glasses.
Retro enthusiasts might find these games surprisingly engaging. The graphics are ambitious, with lifelike polygons—a noteworthy feat on the Genesis—and animations that aren’t just afterthoughts. A "Behind the Athlete" view amps up the games’ presentation, adding a TV-style flair to the 16-bit world. Admittedly, some events are tougher from this angle (good luck avoiding foot faults in pole vaulting), but add a few retro-loving friends, and you’ve got a session full of button-mashing delight.
Saving the best for last, we have Hoops Shut Up and Jam, once known as Barkley Shut Up and Jam. This game features Charles Barkley at the helm, unlike other NBA icons who ventured into non-basketball genres. Although his likeness has been modified to avoid licensing issues, the game retains its essence of NBA Jam-style excitement.
Most crucially, it’s the easiest game in the collection to jump right into. As a veteran gamer, I appreciate that the Accolade Sports Collection also caters to those dipping their toes into retro gaming. For players who’d rather skip manuals and bypass steep learning curves, Hoops Shut Up and Jam shines—and that’s without its titular star headlining it.
In a nutshell, the Accolade Sports Collection (QUByte Classics) offers exactly what one might expect: no surprises, no frills. At $19.99, it’s a tough sell in 2025—even for those like me with a fondness for the past. I’d recommend keeping an eye out for a discount to add this to your wishlist.
