Forget neat rallies and textbook serves – Smash it Wild turns sport into something far messier, louder and a whole lot more unpredictable.
Landing on Xbox Series X|S, this £9.99 release throws traditional rules out the window and replaces them with tactical turn-based chaos, where every hit could be the one that sends you packing.
Blending elements of volleyball and dodgeball with roguelike progression, like that found in the brilliant Hades II, Smash it Wild isn’t interested in realism. It’s here for the kind of competition where strategy, upgrades and a bit of luck all collide.
At A Glance
- Game: Smash it Wild
- Developer: Goblinz Studio, Ernestine, Funtaptic
- Publisher: Goblinz Publishing
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S
- Price: £9.99
- Game Type: Turn-Based Sports / Roguelike
Not Your Typical Sports Game
If you’re expecting a straight-laced sports sim, Smash it Wild quickly makes it clear that this isn’t that kind of experience.
Matches play out in a turn-based format, where positioning, timing and decision-making matter just as much as raw reactions. You’re not just hitting a ball; you’re planning your next move, setting up plays, and trying to outthink opponents in a system that feels more like a tactical battler than a traditional sports title.
And that’s probably for the best. We’ve seen how tricky it can be for more realistic takes on niche sports to land well – just look back at Spike Volleyball, which we once noted suffered from “a clear lack of proper player animations” and a host of mechanical issues. Smash it Wild sidesteps those expectations entirely by going in a completely different direction.
Where Roguelike Ideas Change The Game
What really gives Smash it Wild its identity is the roguelike structure running beneath the surface.
Each run sees you building up your team, unlocking items, and experimenting with different combinations of abilities. Synergies become key, especially as you push deeper into the tournament and face tougher opposition.
Lose, and it’s back to the start – but with the knowledge (and sometimes upgrades) to approach things differently next time. It’s a loop that encourages experimentation, rewarding players who are willing to adapt rather than stick to a single strategy.
A Bit Of Dodge, A Bit Of Smash
The blend of volleyball and dodgeball will hopefully work well here.
There’s a physicality to every exchange, with positioning and angles playing a big role in success. It’s not quite the arcade chaos of something like Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure – which we once described as a fun distraction but best enjoyed in short bursts – but it shares that same willingness to bend the rules for the sake of fun.
The difference is that Smash it Wild leans harder into tactics, giving each match a more deliberate pace.
A Tournament Worth Jumping Into?
Smash it Wild isn’t trying to compete with the big names in sports gaming. Instead, it carves out its own space by mixing genres and embracing a more experimental approach.
Just don’t expect to play it safe. In this tournament, things can turn wild very quickly.
You’ll find Smash it Wild on the Xbox Store.
