You’d be forgiven for thinking that physical tabletop gaming might struggle to survive in this digital and always-mobile age, but collectible card games and traditional board games are undeniably more popular than ever. Great digital versions of home staples sit alongside all-original offerings that provide the full desktop experience with the added convenience of digital. Playing online can be a lifesaver if you’re stuck at home and can’t get to a friend’s house, and not having to lug around a heavy collection of cards will do wonders for your demeanor, too.
Below, we’ve compiled a selection of the best Switch card games, deck building games, and traditional board games. While the titans of the genre love Hearth and Magic: The Gathering not currently available on the Switch, the console boasts a diverse selection; some pure card games, others hybrid RPG experiences or completely board-based, but all have a quality in common. The Switch’s hybrid nature makes it the ideal home for CCGs and board games, with the ability to play on the TV at home and continue in handheld mode when you’re out and about.
Note. The list consists of games we’ve played and reviewed on the site, and there are a handful of games we’ve never reviewed for one reason or another. We welcome Monster Train and Root — feel free to share other recommendations in the comments.
So may we present — in random order — our picks for the best deck-building, card, and board games on the Switch…
Terry Cavanagh’s Dicey Dungeons is one of the best roguelike titles you can play on Switch. Tons of gameplay variety, fantastic music, high skill threshold, and friendly visuals make this a completely immersive and fun experience that you don’t want to miss. If you like roguelikes or card games, we highly recommend picking this up as soon as possible – and even if you don’t, we encourage you to check it out anyway.
Although this alternating affair may look, move and feel like real board game, Armello is actually a completely original creation – and one that does more than simply take off its hat in the world of tabletop gaming. From the deep tactics of the lively board game to the sheer charm of the world building and animal character design, it’s a quest filled with backstabbing, political power plays and rampaging monsters that’s different every time you play. It’s absolutely at its best when played in multiplayer, that human factor makes the battle for the corrupted throne even more unpredictable. You’d be doing yourself a disservice not to add this anthropomorphic story to your wish list.
While the use of a more traditional CCG system ruleset may turn some players off, the on-brand approach to turn-based combat in Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is still a positive addition to the world. Because with a story so twisted and intricately designed – and such an interesting world to explore beyond Geralt’s borders – Thronebreaker offers the chance to get lost in the continent like never before.
Compilation games like Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics always have a range of hits and misses depending on your personal taste, but there’s a wide enough selection of board, card, and action games here that you’re sure to find a number you’ll like. to you. Texas Hold’em, Solitaire, Majong, Blackjack, Dominoes, um… bowling; each of the 51 games is presented with charm and warmth (horribly written cutscenes aside) and there’s a huge amount of content on offer, whether you plan to play solo or with others. The perfect game if you’re stuck at home with the family? Quite possible.
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Talisman: Digital Edition is a worthy adaptation of a top board game rich in content. It offers a huge variety of unbalanced characters to choose from, hundreds and hundreds of adventure maps with something new to see every time you play, and magical battles that lead to pure salt from the ultimate loser. It’s an absolute classic, and there’s also cross-platform online play in the Switch version, so you’ll be able to play with friends on Steam, Android and iOS. The only real caveats are the excess DLC and – let’s face it – the rather unbalanced gameplay of the original Talisman, but we love it.
Incredibly solid and satisfying, SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech is a card fighter with plenty of charm in its art, mechanics, and writing. The presentation is smooth, the dialogues are witty, and the gameplay is addictive. There isn’t much special I feel like SteamWorld Dig 2 is, but it’s still an extremely enjoyable time in that universe. As long as you don’t expect anything groundbreaking, we recommend anyone who likes turn-based combat or enjoyed any of the previous games in the series to check out SteamWorld Quest.
Along with the expected multiplayer modes (ranked and casual battles), Faeria offers a compulsive, engaging, and frankly extremely fun card battle experience. While it’s not the easiest game to explain, it’s an impressive teaching tool in its own right, but it never feels overwhelming or tedious in said education. Of the card games we’ve enjoyed on the Switch, Faeria is easily the pinnacle of the bunch and deserves a good run. It’s a full-featured package and stands out as a great card/board/strategy experience. If you’re looking to play a fantasy card game on Switch, we’d recommend this one first.
Almost impossible to categorize, but utterly compelling as a result, Hand of Fate 2 is a unique RPG experience. Combining the basic premise of a deck-building card game with the heart of an action RPG, there’s so much to enjoy here; the rewarding premise of his deck building, the endless depth of his quests, the simple pleasure of his combat. This is a handheld port that is virtually indistinguishable from the version you can play elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and get this fantasy for your digital library right away.
Chess Ultra is a visual treat, while soothing you with soothing music as you engage in a tough match. There are plenty of options and variety for online and offline matches, with the former being especially enjoyable if you can take part in real-time competition. With tournament play and some well-designed challenges, along with instructions for newcomers, it ticks most of the boxes. It’s another checkmate for the Switch eShop.
In the highly competitive world of CCGs, PlayFusion has taken one of the biggest fantasy licenses and seamlessly combined it with a card combat system that is both easy to understand and different enough to set itself apart from its contemporaries. With the addition of additional modes including Arena of Echoes and Realm Trials, and the option to scan cards from your physical deck, there is a deep and customizable experience in Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions that is ideal for veterans of the genre. The Joy-Con controls work well enough – allowing you to play in docked mode – but it’s at its best when played intimately in handheld touchscreen mode. The need for a constant Internet connection will annoy some, but for those willing to be connected to Wi-Fi, PlayFusion served up a good rival like Hearth.
Wingspan is a powerful card game for those who have the patience to learn how it works. It’s fun, compulsive and sometimes it can really surprise you with complex effects and their outcomes. Its translation on the Switch is a bit… heavy, but certainly not because of the desire to try. In handheld it’s far from ideal, but in dock, as a couch multiplayer experience, there’s plenty of fun to be had. It’s also fun when you’re alone because you’ll be looking for ways to build the deck with the highest possible score. Despite a few transmission issues, Wingspan is definitely having a good time and will be hard to stop after just one game. It’s also much cheaper than a physical game, making it a totally viable alternative.