Jump Rope Challenge
{{short description|2020 fitness video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Jump Rope Challenge
| image = File:Jump Rope Challenge.jpg
| alt = A cartoon anthropomorphic brown rabbit in yellow sports attire jumps while a skipping rope flies over its head. Above the skipping rope is a cartoon-style drawn yellow logo reading "Jump Rope Challenge". All of this is on a plain green background.
| developer = Nintendo EPD
| publisher = Nintendo
| director =
| programmer =
| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/jump-rope-challenge-switch/|title=Jump Rope Challenge for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details|website=Nintendo|accessdate=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023164511/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/jump-rope-challenge-switch/|archive-date=October 23, 2020|url-status=live}}
| platforms = Nintendo Switch
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|June 15, 2020|WW|June 16, 2020}}
| genre = Exergaming
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Jump Rope Challenge is a fitness video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. In the game, the player is encouraged to "jump a skipping rope", by performing motions using the Joy-Con controllers, every day a prespecified number of times.
The game was developed by a small team to keep active at home during the stay-at-home orders of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released for free on the Switch's Nintendo eShop in June 2020. It was originally intended to be removed from the eShop three months subsequent to release, but Nintendo later announced that the game would remain available until further notice.
Gameplay
In Jump Rope Challenge, the player uses Joy-Con controllers in a basic skipping rope motion in conjunction with jumping up and down to emulate jumping a skipping rope.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-16-nintendo-surprise-launches-free-switch-skipping-exercise-game-jump-rope-challenge|title=Nintendo surprise-launches free Switch skipping exercise game Jump Rope Challenge|website=Eurogamer|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616101828/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-16-nintendo-surprise-launches-free-switch-skipping-exercise-game-jump-rope-challenge|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/jump-rope-challenge-switch-fitness-game-050605214.html|title=Nintendo's 'Jump Rope Challenge' is a free workout game for your Switch|website=Engadget|last=Lawler|first=Richard|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616072413/https://www.engadget.com/jump-rope-challenge-switch-fitness-game-050605214.html|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}} The in-game screen displays an anthropomorphic rabbit character skipping alongside the player, as well as counting the number of jumps the player does. Initially, the game sets the player the task of reaching at least 100 jumps every day, although this goal can be manually increased.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/16/21292655/nintendo-jump-rope-challenge-free-exercise-game-no-equipment-switch-eshop|title=Nintendo's free jump rope game is a simple way to exercise with a Switch|website=The Verge|last=Porter|first=Jon|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023171249/https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/16/21292655/nintendo-jump-rope-challenge-free-exercise-game-no-equipment-switch-eshop|archive-date=October 23, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/nintendos-jump-rope-challenge-is-a-free-fitness-game-for-switch-and-its-available-now|title=Nintendo's Jump Rope Challenge is a free fitness game for Switch – and it's available now|website=TechRadar|last=Vjestica|first=Adam|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616200014/https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/nintendos-jump-rope-challenge-is-a-free-fitness-game-for-switch-and-its-available-now|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch/2020/6/16/21292755/jump-rope-challenge-nintendo-switch|title=Surprise free game from Nintendo revives the thrill of jumping rope|website=Polygon|last=Radulovic|first=Petrana|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616170337/https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch/2020/6/16/21292755/jump-rope-challenge-nintendo-switch|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}} The player's total jumps for each day are recorded in a timeline, allowing the player to see how much they have progressed.{{cite web|url=https://mashable.com/article/nintendo-jump-rope-challenge-free-video-game-exercise|title=Nintendo's free Switch game 'Jump Rope Challenge' is good for keeping active but terrible for your neighbours|website=Mashable|last=Yeo|first=Amanda|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616085748/https://mashable.com/article/nintendo-jump-rope-challenge-free-video-game-exercise/|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}} Jump Rope Challenge can also be played in multiplayer with 2 players, each player holding one Joy-Con.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/nintendo_just_launched_a_new_game_and_you_can_download_it_for_free_right_now|title=Nintendo Just Launched A New Game And You Can Download It For Free Right Now|website=Nintendo Life|last=Doolan|first=Liam|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616072716/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/nintendo_just_launched_a_new_game_and_you_can_download_it_for_free_right_now|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}}
Development and release
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nintendo developers were to work from home due to stay-at-home orders.{{cite web|url=https://uk.pcmag.com/gaming-gear/127404/nintendo-developers-stuck-at-home-create-a-free-switch-game|title=Nintendo Developers Stuck at Home Create a Free Switch Game|website=PC Magazine|last=Humphries|first=Matthew|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616183218/https://uk.pcmag.com/gaming-gear/127404/nintendo-developers-stuck-at-home-create-a-free-switch-game|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}} Because of the orders, some developers were not able to exercise as much as they would before the pandemic. Jump Rope Challenge was developed by a small team of developers working at home to be able to keep active in their houses during the pandemic.
Jump Rope Challenge was released over digital distribution on the Nintendo eShop on June 16, 2020, after a surprise announcement from Nintendo on Twitter. The game was released as a free download, and was intended to only be available for a limited time, as Nintendo planned to remove it from the eShop on September 30, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendos-jump-rope-challenge-is-available-now-on-switch-for-free|title=Nintendo's Jump Rope Challenge Is Available Now on Switch for Free|website=IGN|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616072818/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendos-jump-rope-challenge-is-available-now-on-switch-for-free|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}} However, on the day, the company announced they would keep it on the store until further notice.{{cite news|last=Doolan|first=Liam|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/jump_rope_challenge_isnt_going_anywhere_just_yet_will_now_be_available_until_further_notice|website=Nintendo Life|title=Jump Rope Challenge Isn't Going Anywhere Just Yet, Will Now Be Available "Until Further Notice"|date=September 30, 2020|accessdate=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023170821/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/jump_rope_challenge_isnt_going_anywhere_just_yet_will_now_be_available_until_further_notice|archive-date=October 23, 2020}} Nintendo stated that over 200 million jumps had been performed in the game three days after release,{{cite tweet|user=NintendoAmerica|number=1273812748502097920|title=In just three days, more than 200 million jumps in #JumpRopeChallenge have been made by players around the world! Thanks to all for playing and getting active! Download for free now.|date=June 19, 2020|access-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619030053/https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1273812748502097920|archive-date=June 19, 2020|url-status=live}} and 2.5 billion after three months.
A free update to the game, released on July 1, 2020, adds the ability to double-under as well as new backgrounds and costumes for the rabbit to wear based on Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Bowser, and Wario from Super Mario, Link from The Legend of Zelda, Samus Aran from Metroid, Isabelle from Animal Crossing, the Inklings from Splatoon, and the Arcade Bunny from Nintendo Badge Arcade.{{cite tweet|user=NintendoAmerica|number=1278495671150972928|title=A free update for #JumpRopeChallenge is now available, adding new costumes, backgrounds and even the ability to double-under!|date=July 2, 2020|access-date=July 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829214310/https://twitter.com/nintendoamerica/status/1278495671150972928|archive-date=August 29, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/jump_rope_challenge_gets_a_free_update_-_adds_nintendo_costumes_new_backgrounds_and_a_new_ability |date=July 1, 2020 |accessdate=July 1, 2020 |last=Doolan |first=Liam |website=Nintendo Life |title=Jump Rope Challenge Gets A Free Update - Adds Nintendo Costumes, New Backgrounds, And A New Ability|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023170825/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/jump_rope_challenge_gets_a_free_update_-_adds_nintendo_costumes_new_backgrounds_and_a_new_ability|archive-date=October 23, 2020}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
}}
The game was reviewed positively by Ollie Reynolds of Nintendo Life, saying that using the Joy-Con as a skipping rope felt authentic, while also praising the game's visuals and the game being free, though criticizing the game not keeping the player's attention and the sound effects that played on the game's cat background.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/jump_rope_challenge|title=Mini Review: Jump Rope Challenge - A Noble Attempt To Get Switch Owners Active|website=Nintendo Life|last=Reynolds|first=Ollie|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023172632/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/jump_rope_challenge|archive-date=October 23, 2020|url-status=live}}