Yes. Nintendo Switch Sports Basketball supports online friend sessions through Play with Friends. Basketball arrived in software version 1.5.0 on July 9, 2024, and Nintendo lists it as playable in Play Globally, Play Locally, and Play with Friends.
For a remote session, update the game, use a Nintendo Account with Nintendo Switch Online, connect to the internet, and follow the in-game Play with Friends prompts. A Room ID option can let people join even when they are not on your Nintendo friends list.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What you need for online Basketball
The online feature is part of the game itself; you do not start a Basketball invitation from the console’s general Friend List. Prepare the items below before opening a room.
| Requirement | What it means | Check before playing |
|---|---|---|
| Current game software | Nintendo added Basketball in version 1.5.0, released July 9, 2024. Nintendo says this update is required for the game’s internet features. | Install the newest version offered by your console. Nintendo’s support page currently identifies 1.5.0 as its listed update, but software information can change. |
| Nintendo Account | Online features are tied to a Nintendo Account. | Sign in with the account that will use the online mode and confirm that it can access Nintendo services. |
| Nintendo Switch Online | Nintendo requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership for online features. | Make sure the account or accounts joining the online session are covered by an active membership, including a family membership where applicable. |
| Internet connection | Play with Friends over the internet needs an online connection on the console. | Test the console’s connection before creating the room. |
| Compatible controllers | Joy-Con controllers are supported. Nintendo Switch Sports does not support Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers. | Pair the required Joy-Con before entering the room. |
| Supported play setup | The game does not support Handheld Mode. Nintendo recommends TV Mode. | Dock the console and use TV Mode for the supported setup. |
Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch Sports official site identifies the game and its online features, while the Nintendo Switch Sports FAQ documents controller, mode, account, membership, and voice-chat requirements.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Update Nintendo Switch Sports before trying to connect
If Basketball or Play with Friends is missing, updating is the first check. Nintendo’s update notes add Basketball and state that the update is needed for the game’s internet features. Use this route from the HOME Menu:
- Connect the Nintendo Switch to the internet.
- Highlight the Nintendo Switch Sports icon on the HOME Menu.
- Press the + or − button to open the software options.
- Select Software Update.
- Choose Via the Internet.
- Allow the download and installation to finish, then start the game again.
The official instructions are in Nintendo’s How to Update Nintendo Switch Sports. That page lists version 1.5.0 with a July 9, 2024 release date. Because a support page can receive a newer entry, use the version shown by your console if it is newer than 1.5.0.
How to play Basketball with friends over the internet
Once the software and accounts are ready, create or join the session from inside Nintendo Switch Sports. Nintendo’s general invitation guidance says supported games handle invitations and joining within the game, not through a system-level invite command.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Launch Nintendo Switch Sports after the update has installed.
- Open Play with Friends.
- Choose the option to create a room or join an existing room, following the labels and prompts shown by the current version of the game.
- If you are hosting, share the in-game invitation method with the other players. If you are joining, use the host’s invitation or room details from the Play with Friends screen.
- Select Basketball when the room’s sport choices appear, then complete the controller checks and ready prompts.
Nintendo confirms that Basketball is available in Play with Friends, but its published notes do not specify every Basketball-specific lobby screen, match format, or player-limit rule. Menu wording can change with an update, so use the prompts displayed in your current game rather than relying on a remembered sequence from another sport or an older version.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Do not expect the HOME Menu’s Switch User Page to launch a Basketball invitation. Nintendo’s support article Can I invite friends to join my game on Nintendo Switch? explains that invitations for supported games are managed in the game itself.
Invite someone who is not on your Nintendo friends list
Play with Friends includes an optional Room ID route. It is useful when another player should join without first becoming a Nintendo friend.
Host: create and share a Room ID
- Open Play with Friends and start the room-creation flow.
- Enable the option labeled Room ID or Invite Anyone via ID, as shown in Nintendo’s update instructions.
- Finish creating the room and record the ID displayed by the game.
- Send the ID to the other players through your preferred private communication method.
Guest: join with the ID
- Open Play with Friends.
- Select Join Room.
- Press + when the game requests the room code.
- Enter the host’s Room ID and confirm.
The Room ID capability is documented by Nintendo in the version-update instructions. The exact Basketball selection point is not described separately, so choose Basketball at the point indicated by the room’s current on-screen controls.
Recommended Free Tools
Do both players need Nintendo Switch Online?
Nintendo lists an active Nintendo Switch Online membership as a requirement for online features in Nintendo Switch Sports. Check that each Nintendo Account being used to access the remote session is covered by a valid membership. Buying the game does not itself provide that service.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Without an active membership, Nintendo says Play Globally is limited to a trial competition against computer opponents. That limitation does not provide the normal online friend-room experience.
Controllers and room setup
Use Joy-Con, not a Pro Controller
Nintendo identifies Joy-Con as compatible controllers and says Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are not supported. Pair the Joy-Con before you enter the room so the game can complete its player and motion-control checks. If a controller is not detected, return to the HOME Menu’s controller-pairing screen, reconnect it, and then reopen the game.
Use TV Mode
The FAQ says Nintendo Switch Sports does not support Handheld Mode and recommends TV Mode. Dock the console and keep the play area clear enough for the Joy-Con movements prompted by the game. The sources do not establish that a special Basketball accessory is required for online play.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Voice chat while you play
Play with Friends voice chat is available through the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app. Nintendo requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership both for online play and for using that app.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- Install and sign in to the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app on a compatible phone.
- Use the app’s voice-chat feature for the Play with Friends session when the game and account support it.
- Nintendo Accounts belonging to children under 13 cannot use voice chat.
Nintendo also says Nintendo Switch 2 supports GameChat with friends while playing. That is a separate Switch 2 capability; use the controls and availability shown on your console rather than assuming the smartphone-app workflow is identical.
Play with Friends versus LAN Play
LAN Play is a different feature from an ordinary internet-based friend room. It connects multiple consoles to one shared wired router and is intended for players in the same local network.
| Characteristic | Play with Friends over the internet | LAN Play |
|---|---|---|
| Where players are | Remote players connect through the internet. | Consoles must be connected to the same shared wired router. |
| How it starts | Open Play with Friends and create or join a room using the game’s prompts. | Use the special input on the title screen over Play with Friends to reveal the LAN Play option, then create or join the LAN room. |
| Equipment | Internet-connected consoles and compatible Joy-Con. | A copy of the game on each console, docks where applicable, Ethernet cables, and a wired router. A networking switch or LAN adapter may be needed depending on the equipment. |
| Published capacity | Nintendo’s available update notes do not state a Basketball-specific Play with Friends player limit. | Up to four consoles can connect, with up to two players on each console, for up to eight participants total. The number who can play simultaneously varies by sport. |
| Best use | Friends playing from different homes or locations. | A group bringing several consoles to one wired local network. |
LAN Play is optional. You do not need Ethernet cables, a wired router, or a LAN adapter for the normal internet-based Play with Friends mode. Nintendo’s full equipment and connection procedure is in How to Use the LAN Play Feature of Nintendo Switch Sports.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHow to set up LAN Play if everyone is in one place
- Prepare a wired router and the required Ethernet cables. Add a network switch or LAN adapter if your equipment needs more wired ports or a compatible connection.
- Have the game installed on each participating console. Dock the consoles where the setup requires TV Mode.
- Connect each console to the same router and confirm the wired links are active.
- Start Nintendo Switch Sports on each console.
- At the title screen, use the special input Nintendo documents for revealing LAN Play from the Play with Friends area.
- Have one console create the room and the others join it through the LAN Play prompts.
- Assign up to two players per console, then follow the sport and ready checks.
Four consoles and eight total participants are Nintendo’s published LAN figures, not a guaranteed number of simultaneous Basketball players. The game may limit the number who can actively play at once according to the sport’s rules.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Troubleshooting online Basketball
Basketball is not displayed
- Check the software version from the HOME Menu and run Software Update → Via the Internet.
- Close and relaunch the game after the installation completes.
- If the console offers a version newer than 1.5.0, install that current version; the support page’s listed version may lag a later release.
Play with Friends will not open or a room cannot be joined
- Confirm the console is online and that the Nintendo Account can use Nintendo services.
- Check Nintendo Switch Online status for the account attempting to use the online feature.
- Make sure the host and guest are using the same current game software version.
- Leave the game, restart the console, and try creating the room again if a previous session has become stale.
The host cannot invite from the HOME Menu
Use the in-game Play with Friends controls. Nintendo’s invitation guidance does not establish a system-level HOME Menu invitation that launches a Basketball room.
A non-friend cannot connect
Have the host enable Room ID or Invite Anyone via ID while creating the room, then share the displayed code. The guest must choose Join Room, press +, and enter that code. Recheck each digit if the room is not found; a newly created room may generate a different ID.
A controller is rejected
- Use Joy-Con rather than a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
- Pair the Joy-Con from the HOME Menu, then restart the game if the player assignment screen still does not see them.
- Move to TV Mode, which Nintendo lists as the supported setup, rather than trying to play in Handheld Mode.
- Follow the game’s current Basketball prompts for pairing and player position; Nintendo does not publish a separate Basketball pairing sequence.
Voice chat is unavailable
- Verify that the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app is installed, signed in, and allowed to use the phone’s microphone.
- Confirm that the account has the required Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Remember that Nintendo Accounts under 13 cannot use voice chat.
- On Nintendo Switch 2, check whether GameChat is available for the account and session instead of assuming the smartphone-app controls apply.
LAN Play does not appear
- Confirm that every console is connected by cable to the same wired router; ordinary Wi-Fi connections are not the LAN setup described by Nintendo.
- Use the documented special input on the title screen to reveal LAN Play.
- Check cables, router ports, and any required switch or LAN adapter.
- Keep the total within four consoles and eight people, while allowing for the sport-specific limit on simultaneous play.
What Nintendo has not specified for Basketball online
Nintendo confirms the sport’s availability in Play with Friends, but the published material does not give a separate Basketball lobby map, exact match format, or Basketball-specific simultaneous-player number for the internet mode. Those details can depend on the current game version and the room’s on-screen choices.
Use the game’s prompts for the final sport selection, player readiness, and match launch. Treat the eight-person figure as a LAN maximum published for the feature as a whole, not as proof that eight people can simultaneously play one Basketball match online.
Quick Recap
Quick preparation checklist
- Software: Nintendo Switch Sports is updated through HOME Menu → Software Update → Via the Internet.
- Accounts: Every Nintendo Account accessing the online session is ready and covered by Nintendo Switch Online.
- Connection: The console has internet access for Play with Friends, or a wired shared router for LAN Play.
- Controllers: Compatible Joy-Con are paired; Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are not supported.
- Display: The console is docked in TV Mode, which Nintendo recommends.
- Room: The host creates a Play with Friends room, or enables Room ID for players outside the friends list.
- Chat: The Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app is ready, or Switch 2 GameChat is available to eligible users.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
