Go Vacation first released on Wii some time ago, and I played it back then for a short while. In those days, the game was still fun, but unfortunately it fit neatly under the Shovelware flag that the Wii was notorious for flying. Go Vacation shared similarities to, and assets from, Family Ski & Snowboard, a personal favourite of mine when it comes to Wii games. The game was fairly overlooked despite some decent reviews and faded into obscurity. Then all of a sudden, we got an unexpected announcement and release of Go Vacation on Switch in 2018, with some new features too. Let's break everything down.

Go Vacation begins with a registration screen. Use a Mii likeness or an in-game avatar from well over a hundred options. I'm currently using Teen Girl 14, because her dopey stare looks like me in the mornings before my two heaped spoonfuls of coffee. You can change your avatar at any time you like, but if you change your avatar, it will replace your clothing choices.

Next, you're dropped into the Marine Resort on foot. Go grab a Marine Bike and head on over to the first activity, Marine Bike Race. The AI is about as useful as a chocolate teapot in this first race. It gives you time to get used to how the bike feels because all the vehicles in the game are the same, just with slightly different handling.

The main game progression takes place through a series of missions called Stamp Chase, which familiarizes you with the layout of each resort and the functions of the different equipment. The range includes skateboards, ATVs, and snowmobiles just to name a few.

By the time you've participated in 20 different activities, you'll have unlocked each of the resorts and your own personal villa. By then, you should have also found one of the many in-game dogs or registered one of your own. I'm currently spending time with a large white husky I've named Big Flakes. He's a good doggo. You can also befriend various NPCs and have them join your party so you can all go take part in activities together. If you have other accounts registered in the game, you can also find them as NPCs in game, too.

There are "over 50" activities, and while a good deal of them are quite similar to eachother, they also have several stages to complete which change things up a little. For example, Hang Gliding has missions where you fly through hoops (like that one Superman game), but it also has missions where you pop balloons. Actually, balloons are something I might as well mention. After completing a certain number of activities, balloons will appear around the resorts, which can be popped for experience points. They're another collectible, alongside the hidden treasure chests.

The experience points you earn are converted into keys, which can be used to redeem new furniture for your villa.

What, was a vacation to New Jersey not good enough for you?

While I feel the aesthetics are on point, the sound design is weird. The in-game songs are all unique Namco compositions, and I swear the chorus of one had vocals to the melody of the Pac-Man theme. Characters speak with the sound of a clown's hooter, notifications and messages make the noise of a cuckoo clock, and generally nothing makes sense. In a word, eccentric.

It's certainly no Banoi Island.

The island of Kawawii is a fun place to explore, even if the name is absolutely ridiculous. (And of course, with the game no longer being on Wii, the pun is kind of lost. The "Sandswitch Islands" might have been more relevant.) Each resort is brimming with character. Marine has bright blue skies during the day and a gorgeous orangey glow to bask in during the sunset hours. The City is crawling with fashionable NPCs and the nighttime has sufficient nightlife. Dotted around each resort and your villa grounds is one of the Switch version's new features: animal friends you can photograph for an animal book. I'm surprised how docile the animals are; there is a lion sitting in the main plaza surrounded by kids, and it doesn't even maul them. I thought this game was meant to be fun. I'm not sure what photographing all of the animals does, as I'm having a hard time finding them all for the book. A pleasant addition for this port that adds some extra replay value.

Further replay value is added by daily bonuses — usually in the form of unlockable clothes or dog breeds. For example, on Day 2 you unlock City clothes, including a school uniform, while on Day 3 you'll unlock a new set of dog breeds including the aforementioned husky.

Each avatar, clothing item, dog breed and piece of equipment can be customized with a handful of varieties. The emphasis on customisation is hugely appreciated. Go Vacation is one of those "make it yours" experiences that serves as a decent bit of stress relief. There's a whole lot to do, but there's also a whole lot of nothing, too. This is really going to appeal to only a certain type of player, one that wants to take things slow and just explore. There are goals, but at the same time you're expected to make your own goals too.