Here’s the games I have reviewed so far on the Nintendo Switch in each genre, from best to worst. Note: If multiple games have the same score, they will be sorted alphabetically.
- Card Games (Classic) / Casino Games
- Card Games (Solitaire)
- Card Games (Collectable Card Games)
- Card Games (Misc.)
- Mahjong
- Board Games (Chess / Chess Puzzles)
- Board Games (Misc.)
Card Games (Classic) / Casino Games
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics | Compilation / Card Games / Board Games / Sports / Misc. | B+ |
tl;drClubhouse Games is a family-friendly Compilation of 51 various games (plus a piano toy software) ranging from time-honored classic card and board games to simple sports and arcade games. While most of the individual games are pretty feature-poor, there is a massive amount of content here, and most of it plays well and is excellently-presented. There are even a few delightful surprises here as well. Add in good local competitive play for two players and decent online play, and you have a superb game collection well worth owning. | ||
| Uno | Card Game | C+ |
tl;drUno is a videogame version of the classic Card Game that does a good job bringing the game to the Nintendo Switch, with a good presentation, good controls, and a good set of options. Unfortunately, the game is limited by Uno’s design, resulting in a lack of multiplayer options. Also, the game seems a bit pricey, and the load times could be better. Still, if you want Uno in videogame form, this succeeds in doing exactly that. | ||
| Black Jack World Tour | Card Game (Blackjack) | C |
tl;drBlack Jack World Tour is a bare-bones version of Blackjack that’s a decent enough representation of the card game, but it lacks multiplayer or any sort of opinions or features, and it won’t recognize the touchscreen or a Pro controller. However, if you’re just looking for an inexpensive Blackjack game on Nintendo Switch, this should suffice. | ||
| The Card: Poker, Texas Hold’em, Blackjack, and Page One | Compilation / Card Games | C |
tl;drThe Card: Poker, Texas Hold’em, Blackjack, and Page One is a decent but unspectacular collection of the four games in question. It doesn’t have a very impressive presentation, and it lacks options, variants, and most importantly multiplayer, but for $5 this is an acceptable collection of these four Card Games. | ||
| Memory – The Original Matching Game from Ravensburger | Card Game | C- |
tl;drMemory is a solid take on the classic Card Game that has players matching cards to clear them. This release has a good presentation and healthy amount of options. The problem is the $20 price seems far too steep for what’s on offer here, when you can play a basic game of Memory using a standard deck of cards, or you can spend $40 to get Clubhouse Games, which comes with 51 different games. With that being the case, it’s hard to recommend this game. | ||
| The Four Kings Casino and Slots | Simulation / Compilation / Casino / Card Games | D+ |
tl;drThe Four Kings Casino and Slots is a free-to-play Casino Simulation with a wide variety of casino and card games, but that wide variety of games is the only saving grace here, as everything else is a mess of terrible graphics, poor performance, awkward controls, and poor optimization for Nintendo Switch… all in a microtransaction-filled game that’s gambling where players can spend real money but not earn it. Even fans of Casino games will find this one to be severely lacking. | ||
| Black Jack | Card Game (Blackjack) | D |
tl;drBlack Jack is just that – Blackjack. This game technically works, but it’s as bare-bones as they come. Given the price this game is selling for, it’s absurd how little effort went into this game. Unless you absolutely need Blackjack on your Nintendo Switch, skip this version of it. | ||
| Just Black Jack | Card Game (Blackjack) | D- |
tl;drJust Black Jack is about as bare-bones a version of the classic card game as they come, but it can’t even do that much right, not only lacking features, but performing poorly, and inexplicably limiting the player’s ability to bet. On top of that, the cynical way this game has been priced on the eShop is really sleazy. Don’t be scammed into spending your money on this low-effort game. | ||
| Memory Lane | Board Game | D- |
tl;drMemory Lane is a Card game of the “match two cards” variety. Despite being an old formula, this game manages to mess it up in multiple ways, first by making it unplayable in docked mode, then hard to see in handheld mode, and then completely dropping the ball in its in-game menus. As a result, this game completely fails to achieve even the very low goal it aims for. | ||
| Roulette | Casino Game | D- |
tl;drRoulette is a creepy, low-effort asset flip that’s a pretty terrible version of the game in question. The $2 sale price is overpriced for the low-budget, feature-poor version of the game included here, and the normal $10 price tag is outright insulting. Do yourself a favor and don’t buy this at any price. | ||
Card Games (Solitaire)
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics | Compilation / Card Games / Board Games / Sports / Misc. | B+ |
tl;drClubhouse Games is a family-friendly Compilation of 51 various games (plus a piano toy software) ranging from time-honored classic card and board games to simple sports and arcade games. While most of the individual games are pretty feature-poor, there is a massive amount of content here, and most of it plays well and is excellently-presented. There are even a few delightful surprises here as well. Add in good local competitive play for two players and decent online play, and you have a superb game collection well worth owning. | ||
| The Solitaire Conspiracy | Card Game (Solitaire – Misc.) | B+ |
tl;drThe Solitaire Conspiracy is a Card Game that presents the game of solitaire as a high-stakes representation of moving around teams of spies to counter a mysterious threat. The core gameplay here is fun and compelling, if a bit on the easy side, and the presentation elevates that gameplay and makes it truly stand out. If you enjoy solitaire and want to try a game that takes the old-fashioned game and modernizes it, you should definitely check this out. | ||
| Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! | Card Game (Solitaire) / Sports (Horse Racing) | B |
tl;drPocket Card Jockey: Ride On! is a remake of the Nintendo 3DS game that blends together the two very different genres of Solitaire Card Games and Horse Racing, yet it oddly manages to work surprisingly well, with new options and features and a new presentation that make this the best version of the game released thus far. It’s not likely to appeal to everyone, but for players who enjoy Card Games and crave something out of the norm, this is one horse well worth betting on. | ||
| Fancy Solitaire | Card Game (Solitaire – Klondike) | B- |
tl;drFancy Solitaire may not be quite as fancy as the name implies, but it is nevertheless a very good version of Klondike Solitaire. The price tag is a bit on the high end, and the game lacks a tutorial and alternate scoring options, but the number of deck, background, and music options more than makes up for these omissions. If you’re just looking for a top-notch game of Klondike Solitaire on Nintendo Switch, this is about as good as it gets. | ||
| World of Solitaire | Compilation / Card Game (Solitaire) | B- |
tl;drWorld of Solitaire is a Compilation that includes five Solitaire games – Klondike, Freecell, Spider, Pyramid, and TriPeaks. While this package has its fair share of flaws, overall the options here are good, the presentation is solid, and the value of the amount of content compared to the price (especially if you get it on sale) is pretty high. If you’re looking for a Compilation of Card Games on Nintendo Switch, this is a good choice. | ||
| Klondike Solitaire | Card Game (Solitaire – Klondike) | C+ |
tl;drKlondike Solitaire is a decent version of the classic game, with a good presentation, a good selection of options, good controls, and a good price (if you catch it on sale). Each of those things has room for improvement, but overall this is a better than average version of this Card Game. | ||
| Freecell Solitaire Deluxe | Card Game (Solitaire – Freecell) | C |
tl;drFreecell Solitaire Deluxe is a passable version of the classic Card Game, but pretty much every part of this game has places where it could stand to do with some improvement. It’s far from perfect, but it’s decent enough | ||
| Solitaire Deluxe Bundle – 3 in 1 | Compilation / Card Game (Solitaire) | C |
tl;drSolitaire Deluxe Bundle – 3 in 1 is a compilation of this publisher’s earlier releases Klondike Solitaire, Freecell Solitaire Deluxe, and Spider Solitaire, all decent versions of those respective card games. Compared to those individual releases, this is a pretty good deal too… but it’s also completely pointless when players can buy World of Solitaire and get more content for the same price. As such, I can’t see a good reason to recommend this game. | ||
| Solitaire Klondike Black | Card Game (Solitaire – Klondike) | C |
tl;drSolitaire Klondike Black is a stylized version of the classic card game. The inclusion of both random and pre-arranged games here is nice, but the lack of display options and touchscreen isn’t. On balance, this is an okay version of the card game, but not a great one. | ||
| Solitaire Klondike Minimal | Card Game (Solitaire – Klondike) | C |
tl;drSolitaire Klondike Minimal is a version of the classic card game that is, as the name states, pretty minimal, both in its look and in its options. Still, as versions of the classic game go, this is decent enough, and the price is good too, as long as you can look past the fact that its standard price is more expensive than it used to be, just so the publisher could make its sale price look better by comparison. | ||
| Solitaire Spider Minimal | Card Game (Solitaire – Spider) | C |
tl;drSolitaire Spider Minimal is a version of the classic card game that is, as the name states, pretty minimal, both in its look and in its options. Still, as versions of the classic game go, this is decent enough, and the price is good too, as long as you can look past the fact that its standard price is more expensive than it used to be, just so the publisher could make its sale price look better by comparison. | ||
| Spider Solitaire | Card Game (Solitaire – Spider) | C |
tl;drSpider Solitaire is a passable version of the classic Card Game, but pretty much every part of this game has places where it could stand to do with some improvement. It’s far from perfect, but it’s decent enough | ||
| Spider Solitaire Black | Card Game (Solitaire – Spider) | C |
tl;drSpider Solitaire Black is a stylized version of the classic card game. The inclusion of both random and pre-arranged games here is nice, but the lack of display options and touchscreen isn’t. On balance, this is an okay version of the card game, but not a great one. | ||
| Solitaire | Compilation / Card Game (Solitaire) | C- |
tl;drSolitaire is a Compilation of three Card Games: Spider Solitaire, Klondike Solitaire, and Freecel Solitaire. The versions of the games on offer here are mostly decent, but this game is overall low on features, and what features are included here have some issues. It’s not a terrible package, but not great either. | ||
| Solitaire TriPeaks Flowers | Card Game (Solitaire – Misc.) / Puzzle | C- |
tl;drSolitaireTriPeaks Flowers is a Card Game with Puzzle elements that’s best described as “inspired” by TriPeaks, with each of the game’s stages acting as a pre-crafted puzzle to solve. For what it is, it’s not bad, but the lack of features and ugly remnants of this game’s mobile roots mar the experience somewhat. | ||
| Solitaire Card Games | Compilation / Card Game (Solitaire) | D |
tl;drSolitaire Card Games is a Compilation of three Card Games, Klondike, Spider, and TriPeaks… except the game can’t be played in docked mode, the controls are terrible, the presentation is inconsistent, there’s a lack of options, and the game they call TriPeaks isn’t even TriPeaks! There are plenty of other solitaire games on the Nintendo Switch, skip this one. | ||
Card Games (Collectable Card Games)
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Faeria | Collectable Card Game / Turn-Based Strategy | A- |
tl;drFaeria combines the Collectable Card Game and Turn-Based Strategy genres in a truly delightful way that makes for a wide variety of wonderful strategic possibilities. The pacing can be a tad slow and tiny text doesn’t work well in handheld mode, but overall this is a fantastic combination of the two genres with plenty of content to explore. Definitely worth a look for anyone who enjoys both genres. | ||
| Eternal: The Card Game | Turn-Based Collectible Card Game | B |
tl;drEternal is a free-to-play Collectable Card Game that feels like it fits somewhere between Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone. This is a decent port of the game, and those interested in the genre will find this to be a welcoming title, with a good amount of free content and solid gameplay. Definitely worth a look. | ||
| Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle | Turn-Based Collectable Card Game | B |
tl;drShadowverse: Champion’s Battle is a family-friendly Collectable Card Game presented in a way comparable to a JRPG, complete with anime-style characters and story exclusive to this version of the game. There are some issues with various elements in the game, but overall this is a solid entry in the genre with a surprisingly fantastic presentation. If you’re a fan of Collectable Card Games, you should definitely give this game a look. | ||
| The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game – Definitive Edition | Turn-Based Collectible Card Game | B |
tl;drThe Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game is a Turn-Based Collectable Card Game, but unlike most other games in the genre this game isn’t loaded with microtransactions, and has players taking on Sauron’s forces rather than each other, with a clever back-and-forth move mechanic that adds a surprising amount of strategy to the game. It’s not perfect – the presentation makes the game feel like a knockoff, the online servers are empty, and much of the text will have you straining your eyes to try to read it. However, the gameplay is good and unique enough to be well worth a look for fans of the genre. | ||
| Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions | Turn-Based Collectible Card Game | C+ |
tl;drWarhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions is a free-to-play Collectable Card Game that has players twisting cards to do different things. Unfortunately, I found the game to be both too complicated and provide players with too few options to be all that enjoyable (although it gives players a bit more to do than Lightseekers, at least). | ||
| Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel | Turn-Based Collectible Card Game | C+ |
tl;drYu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is a free-to-play Turn-Based Collectable Card Game that brings the long-running franchise to Nintendo Switch. The game itself still works well, and the epic soundtrack backing everything is absolutely wonderful. However, newer players may find this game hard to get into due to a not-so-great tutorial, and the Nintendo Switch version suffers from some unfortunate performance issues, making this game a mixed bag overall. | ||
| Lightseekers | Turn-Based Collectible Card Game | C |
tl;drLightseekers is a free-to-play Collectable Card Game that has players twisting cards to do different things. Unfortunately, I found the game to be both too complicated and provide players with too few options to be all that enjoyable. | ||
| The Card Battle: Eternal Destiny | Turn-Based Collectible Card Game | D |
tl;drThe Card Battle is a Collectable Card Game with an anime-style story and characters, and while it has a few interesting mechanics, those are completely outweighed by a horrible localization, terrible tutorial, and poor presentation that makes it a chore just to figure out what each card actually does. There are multiple better card games on Nintendo Switch. Don’t waste your time or money on this one. | ||
Card Games (Misc.)
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Balatro | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | A- |
tl;drBalatro is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike that starts with a standard deck of poker cards that players gradually trade out and upgrade, aiming to keep racking up increasingly high scores to get as far as they can. While this game has a few rough spots, overall this is a brilliant mix of accessibility and exquisitely-crafted gameplay that puts it on par with the likes of Slay the Spire as the best this genre has to offer. This is an absolute must-play for any fans of this genre. | ||
| Battle Suit Aces | Turn-Based Card RPG | A- |
tl;drBattle Suit Aces is a Turn-Based Card RPG where players deploy mechs and drones to fend off enemies in space. This game has a surprisingly compelling story and characters, with a great presentation and excellent voice acting. It also delivers with some well-crafted and deep gameplay with lots of customizability. This game could be better about presenting info to the player, and it might be tough for a newbie, but fans of Card RPGs will absolutely want to give this one a look. | ||
| Inscryption | Turn-Based Card Game / Roguelike / First-Person Graphic Adventure | A- |
tl;drInscryption is a deck-building Card Game and Roguelike with a First-Person Graphic Adventure framing device with players finding themselves in a dark cabin with a mysterious, sinister dealer playing a card game about sacrificing animals. The card game itself is excellent, and the foreboding dark atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. Unfortunately, that same darkness can make this game hard to see in handheld mode, and there are a few other minor frustrations here and there. However, in spite of these issues, Inscryption is a macabre delight, and it’s a game I highly recommend, especially to fans of similar games like Slay the Spire. | ||
| Nowhere Prophet | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | A- |
tl;drNowhere Prophet is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike that has players in the role of a leader of a convoy in a Mad Max-esque post-apocalypse. This game has progression somewhat like Slay the Spire and combat closer to Hearthstone, with some clever risk and reward mechanics and resource management elements. While this game isn’t quite as easy to get into as Slay the Spire, it is nevertheless an outstanding entry in the genre with a killer soundtrack, and fans of the genre should consider it a must-buy. | ||
| Slay the Spire | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | A- |
tl;drSlay the Spire is a game that combines a Card Battle RPG with Roguelike elements for an experience that’s extremely addictive. The game is not without its frustrations, in particular how much the element of luck plays into your success. However, the combination of excellent gameplay and a good amount of variety make this a game that more than makes up for its shortcomings. | ||
| Children of Zodiarcs | Turn-Based Strategy-RPG / Card RPG | B+ |
tl;drChildren of Zodiarcs is a Turn-Based Strategy-RPG and Card-based RPG that follows a group of youths in a fantasy slum who find themselves at the center of a conflict surrounding one of the game’s titular magical artifacts. This game has something of a downer plot, and it suffers from pacing issues, but the multiple game mechanics involved in combat and character management are really engaging, and make this game well worth a look despite those issues. | ||
| Cobalt Core | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | B+ |
tl;drCobalt Core is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike much like Slay the Spire, but it brings its own clever ideas to the genre, such as battling with spaceships consisting of different parts, and being able to build a deck using three different characters with their own specialties. All of this is within a really endearing presentation. I have my issues with the game’s progression, but overall this is a fantastic addition to this genre, and fans of games like this will definitely want to play it. | ||
| Lost in Random | Action-RPG / Card RPG | B+ |
tl;drLost in Random is an Action-RPG with Card RPG elements set in a dark fantasy world where characters’ fates are decided with a rigged dice roll, and the game’s protagonist sets off to defy that fate and find her kidnapped sister. This game’s visual style, writing, and overall presentation is phenomenal, seemingly pulled straight out of a movie like The Nightmare Before Christmas. The characters and story are great too. Meanwhile, the game’s card-and-dice combat, while creative, is a bit overly-complicated, and the map design is too restrictive. However, while it isn’t without its flaws, this game is still so filled with imagination and eye-popping visual style that it’s well worth playing through despite these issues. | ||
| SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighters’ Clash | Turn-Based Collectable Card RPG | B+ |
tl;drSNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighters’ Clash is a Turn-Based Collectable Card RPG that is simple to pick up, but has a surprising amount of depth. This release includes both the SNK and Capcom versions of the game, and will even let players trade and battle between the two on the same system (though sadly not via online or local wireless multiplayer), and while the limited screen size means you’ll be shuffling through a fair amount of menus, this game has otherwise aged quite well, and fans of the genre should absolutely give it a try. | ||
| Wildfrost | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | B+ |
tl;drWildfrost is a Turn-Based Roguelike Card RPG where players must help their chosen hero fend off enemies in a frozen wasteland. It doesn’t offer quite enough agency or variety to surpass the likes of Slay the Spire, but it’s a delightful entry in the genre all the same, and one absolutely worth playing. | ||
| Castle Morihisa | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | B |
tl;drCastle Morihisa is a deck-building Card-Based RPG Roguelike that is very clearly cribbing a lot of its notes directly from Slay the Spire, though it does change a few things and the mythological Japanese theme does help to set it apart. This game isn’t anywhere near as good as the game that so clearly inspired it, but it’s still an enjoyable entry in the genre worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for something as close as possible to Slay the Spire. | ||
| Fights in Tight Spaces | Turn-Based Strategy-RPG / Card RPG / Roguelike | B |
tl;drFights in Tight Spaces is a game that combines Turn-Based Strategy-RPG, Card RPG, and Roguelike elements to create a game that is all about thoughtful, strategic decisions during a brawl with multiple opponents. The mindful combat in this game is superb, but at times it can be slow-paced, and mistakes in your deckbuilding snowball far too quickly. Meanwhile, the presentation has a good soundtrack, and the visuals are striking, but also visually-monotonous. This is a very good game, but one with significant flaws. | ||
| Griftlands | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | B |
tl;drGriftlands is a Turn-Based Card RPG with Roguelike elements that bears a lot of similarities to Slay the Spire. By contrast, it offers a lot more nuance with its two-deck mechanic, variety of characters to befriend or oppose, and its focus on story. However, it suffers from doing a poor job conveying information to the player, and the controls are terrible. On balance, this is still a solid game that does multiple creative things with the genre, but it doesn’t come close to unseating the king. | ||
| Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection | Compilation / Action-RPG / Card RPG | B |
tl;drMega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is a Compilation that contains Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 and Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 2, which together include Mega Man Battle Network 1-6 (as well as the Pokemon-style nearly-identical pairings of games 3-6). These are all games that mesh together elements of Card RPGs and Action-RPGs, and they are all excellent, though the latter games seem to copy most of their content from the first game and drag their feet when it comes to fixing that game’s problems. This Compilation also comes with an excellent array of bonus content. Unfortunately, at $60 for what amounts to six 15-20 year-old games, this Compilation feels overpriced, especially considering that this isn’t even a comprehensive collection of the franchise. There are still some solid games worth playing here, but I recommend waiting for a decent sale before buying. | ||
| Mystic Vale | Turn-Based Card Game | B |
tl;drMystic Vale is a Turn-Based Card Game where players buy upgrades to their cards to improve their deck. It’s a fun mechanic that’s well-implemented here, and there’s a great risk/reward mechanic as well. The menus are a bit clunky and there’s a lack of players being able to interact with each other, but overall this is a solid addition to this genre. | ||
| Signs of the Sojourner | Turn-Based Card Game | B |
tl;drSigns of the Sojourner is a Card Game where the cards simulate a conversation between the player and their computer-controlled conversation partner, each taking turns trying to create a successful chain of cards with each other. It’s a great concept and it’s executed brilliantly, but the game mucks this up somewhat by giving players mixed signals about whether to venture to far away new areas in the game or stick close to home. Still, even with its flaws, this is a solid game well worth playing. | ||
| Stacklands | Card Game / Survival Adventure | B |
tl;drStacklands is a Survival Adventure game played with the mechanics of a real-time Card Game, and this combination is refreshing and enjoyable, even if there are some irritating mechanical issues and poor design choices keeping this from being even better. Despite this, the compelling gameplay and unique core idea make this well worth seeking out for Survival Adventure fans. | ||
| Steamworld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech | Turn-Based Card RPG | B |
tl;drSteamworld Quest is a Turn-Based Card RPG set loosely in the Steamworld universe, taking the franchise into the realm of pseudo-medieval fantasy. It is a decent take on its genre that does a good job of incorporating the franchise’s charm, but it doesn’t really excel in any area or take full advantage of the potential the rich setting has to offer. However, it’s still a decent game fans of the genre should enjoy. | ||
| Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales | Turn-Based Card Game | B |
tl;drThronebreaker is a Card Game set in the Witcher universe and based on the card game Gwent (though this is a much more complex game than Gwent). The presentation here is fantastic, with excellent writing and voice acting befitting the Witcher universe, but the game can get a bit over-complicated at times, and the lack of multiplayer and touchscreen support is disappointing. However, it’s still a must-have game for Witcher fans, and a good choice for fans of Card Games. | ||
| DungeonTop | Turn-Based Strategy-RPG / Card RPG | B- |
tl;drDungeonTop combines Turn-Based Strategy-RPG and Card RPG elements. The presentation is generic, and the game does a poor job conveying information to the player, but the core gameplay is well-crafted, varied, and fun. As long as you have the patience for this game’s flaws, and aren’t turned off by the presentation, this is well worth checking out. | ||
| Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 | Compilation / Action-RPG / Card RPG | B- |
tl;drMega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 is a Compilation of the Game Boy Advance games Mega Man Battle Network, Mega Man Battle Network 2, Mega Man Battle Network 3: Blue, and Mega Man Battle Network 3: White, all games that mesh together elements of Card RPGs and Action-RPGs. The games here are excellent, though the latter games seem to copy most of their content from the first game and do little to fix that game’s problems. This Compilation also comes with an excellent array of bonus content. Unfortunately, at $40 for what amounts to three 20 year-old games, this Compilation feels absurdly overpriced. | ||
| Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 2 | Compilation / Action-RPG / Card RPG | B- |
tl;drMega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 2 is a Compilation of the Game Boy Advance games Mega Man Battle Network 4, 5, and 6 (as well as their Pokemon-style nearly-identical pairings). These are all games that mesh together elements of Card RPGs and Action-RPGs. The games here are excellent, though none of them feel like they’ve grown all that much from the very first Battle Network game. This Compilation also comes with an excellent array of bonus content. Unfortunately, at $40 for what amounts to three 15+ year-old games, this Compilation feels absurdly overpriced. | ||
| Monster Slayers | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | B- |
tl;drMonster Slayers is a game that combines a Card Battle RPG with Roguelike elements. It does a good job balancing player utility and the Roguelike elements, but unfortunately it stumbles when it comes to the way it presents information to the player, and the presentation feels pretty generic. | ||
| Super Battle Cards | Unlimited Pattern Puzzle / Card / RPG | B- |
tl;drSuper Battle Cards is a family-friendly Puzzle game with simple but compelling gameplay that has you moving a hero card around on a grid of health, shield, and enemy cards. It’s a bit shallow and there are some presentation issues, but overall it’s a fun time-waster. | ||
| Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster | Compilation / Turn-Based Card JRPG | C+ |
tl;drBaten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is a pair of remastered remakes of GameCube Turn-Based Card JRPGs. I commend these games for trying something unique within the genre, and these remasters do a mostly good job of bringing the presentation up to more modern standards, but at their core these two games are very difficult to love, with overly-complex gameplay and stories that either feature an unlikeable protagonist or are just poorly-told. JRPG fans may still want to try these games out, but they are absolutely not something everyone will appreciate. | ||
| Card-en-Ciel | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | C+ |
tl;drCard-en-Ciel is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike loosely inspired by Mega Man Battle Network. There is some fun and creative gameplay here, but there are also a lot of confusing gameplay mechanics, pacing problems, and a mishmash of presentation elements that don’t always work well together. The result is a game that fans of this style of game may still want to try out, but that most players are better off skipping in favor of better-designed entries in the genre. | ||
| Grand Guilds | Turn-Based Strategy-RPG / Card RPG | C+ |
tl;drGrand Guilds is a game that combines Tactics-style Strategy-RPG and Card RPG genres. It’s a fairly original approach to the genre, but it’s hard to appreciate the game’s good qualities because it’s filled with a lot of frustrations such as a cumbersome interface and bloated file size. If you’re a genre fan looking to fill out your collection with a cheap addition, you may want to consider it, but most are better off sticking with other games in the genre on Nintendo Switch. | ||
| White Girl | Card Game | C |
tl;drWhite Girl is a Card Game where players take the role of one of four girl-like beings absorbing colors to fuel their abilities and attack each other, aiming to be the last girl standing. This is a wildly original entry in the genre, but it’s really hurt by an absolutely abysmal localization, a horrible lack of options, and no one else online to play against. These issues make it hard to recommend this game, despite how clever and unique it is. | ||
| Card Game Bundle Vol. 1 | Compilation / Card Game | C- |
tl;drCard Game Bundle Vol. 1 is a collection of Frost and Monster Slayers, both different types of Card Game. Unfortunately, Frost isn’t very fun, and Monsters Slayers is already in another better bundle. There’s simply not much reason to get this bundle when you have multiple better options. | ||
| Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition | Turn-Based Card RPG | C- |
tl;drDeep Sky Derelicts is a Turn-Based Card RPG where players take the role of a team of scavengers fighting enemies and searching for salvage on derelict spacecraft. While the game clearly has some intricate gameplay mechanics, the way it refuses to explain those mechanics and hides important information all while hitting you over the head with time limits and a high difficulty level makes this game extremely frustrating, and something that only those dedicated to studying how to play it will be able to enjoy. | ||
| Flip Over Frog | Board Game / Card Game | C- |
tl;drFlip Over Frog is a Nintendo Switch version of a 2018 Board Game with Card Game elements where players place and flip over cards with different animals on them. It’s a decent but not great game, and it’s presented here with limited options and a bare bones presentation that deviates from the board game’s look. Also, the dead online servers and lack of ability to play the game via couch multiplayer really limits its appeal. The result is a game that’s not bad, but that’s hard to really recommend. | ||
| Frost | Card Game | C- |
tl;drFrost is a Card Game where players guide a band of people through the wilderness to shelter, evading the encroaching threat of the coming frost. It’s a great concept, and the presentation is good, but the gameplay itself is far too overrun with randomized elements out of the player’s control, making for a game that just isn’t very fun to play. | ||
| Wander Hero | Card RPG / Arcade | N/A (F) |
tl;drWander Hero is a game that combines Card RPG gameplay with a game mechanic that has you flicking discs representing your character to ricochet off enemies to attack them. It’s a really clever gameplay concept, but unfortunately, this game requires players to use the touchscreen for combat, but then makes most of the game’s text so tiny on the screen that it’s unplayable whether you play it docked or in handheld mode. There may be a great game hidden under this issue, but if there is I cannot play it. | ||
Mahjong
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| JarataireRPG | Mahjong Puzzle | D+ |
tl;drJarataireRPG, released on Nintendo Switch in 2023, is a Puzzle game that’s extremely similar to a Mahjong Puzzle with RPG elements, with players matching tiles to fight anime-style monster gals. There are some very good ideas here, but they are so poorly executed that all you’re left with is confusion and frustration. Even at $1, this game is only worthwhile as a curiosity. | ||
| Arcade Archives Vs. Mah-Jong | Mahjong | F |
tl;drVs. Mahjong is a take on the classic tile game that lacks some major features, is going to be impenetrable to newer players of the game, doesn’t even include a standard 4-player mode, isn’t translated from Japanese, and despite this is still selling for $8. You have numerous options for Mahjong on Nintendo Switch, get something else instead. | ||
Board Games (Chess / Chess Puzzles)
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Chess Ultra | Board Game | B |
tl;drChess Ultra is a version of the classic Board Game with nice, realistic graphics and classy music, though I find myself wishing for more options when it comes to that presentation, which can even make it difficult to see the pieces sometimes. On the bright side, there’s a good amount of content here, and overall this is a solid game of chess, despite these issues. | ||
| Chess Royal | Board Game | B- |
tl;drChess Royal is a bargain-priced version of the classic Board Game. It doesn’t have online play or a proper tutorial, but it’s a solid game of chess with an absolute ton of chess puzzles to solve. For $3, this is an absolute steal. | ||
| Chess Ace | Puzzle / Board Game | C+ |
tl;drChess Ace is a Puzzle game that uses the rules of chess, with players trying to move to capture pieces in a limited number of turns. It’s a decent Puzzle game, but it’s lacking in options, has a bare-bones presentation, and its normal price is far too high for such a minimal experience. Still, it’s not a bad time waster if you can catch it on sale. | ||
| Knight’s Retreat | Puzzle / Board Game | C |
tl;drKnight’s Retreat is a Puzzle game using Chess rules where players must move knight pieces to an exit. The visuals are unimpressive, and this game doesn’t do anything especially noteworthy, but it’s a decent game for those who enjoy Chess-themed Puzzle games. | ||
| Chess Knights: Viking Lands | Puzzle / Board Game | C- |
tl;drChess Knights: Viking Lands is a Puzzle game using Chess rules where players must move a knight piece to an exit. This game doesn’t have many of the issues that plagues Chess Knights: Shinobi, but it still has problems with its camera and a few other small issues, and that is on top of a pretty unexciting game with a worn-out gameplay formula. If you’re a fan of Chess and Puzzle games, this may be of interest to you, but otherwise it’s not worth your time. | ||
| Chess | Board Game | D |
tl;drThe simply-titled Chess is a poor version of the classic board game, with a lack of standard options, awkward controls, and a bad camera. You have better options on the Nintendo Switch. | ||
| Chess Knights: Shinobi | Puzzle / Board Game | F |
tl;drChess Knights: Shinobi is a Puzzle game using Chess rules where players must move a knight piece to an exit. Unfortunately, this game is loaded with problems, with the most major one being arbitrary and inconsistent game design. Simply put, this game is broken. Do not pay for it. | ||
| Chess Maiden | Board Game | F |
tl;drChess Maiden is a version of the classic Board Game that has players playing against a large-chested anime-style girl. Unfortunately, every element of this game is broken – the chess is missing important gameplay elements like castling, the game is completely devoid of features, and the maiden is cold, robotic, silent, and absolutely devoid of any personality. No matter what you wanted out of this game, you won’t find it here. | ||
Board Games (Misc.)
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Dicey Dungeons | Roguelike / Board Game | A- |
tl;drDicey Dungeons is a family-friendly Roguelike with Board Game elements that plays like a cross between Slay the Spire and Yahtzee. While perhaps not as deep as the former, Dicey Dungeons makes up for it by being highly accessible and easy to play, while still having a fair amount of depth. If you enjoy both genres this game is derived from, you’ll definitely want to give it a look. | ||
| Quilts and Cats of Calico | Board Game | A- |
tl;drQuilts and Cats of Calico is a family-friendly videogame adaptation of the Board Game Calico, and it takes a game with wonderful “easy to learn, tough to master” gameplay and translates it exceptionally well to videogame form, with a good selection of game modes and an outstanding presentation with a lovely soundtrack. If you enjoy Board Games or Puzzles and particularly like “cozy games”, consider this a must-have. | ||
| Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics | Compilation / Card Games / Board Games / Sports / Misc. | B+ |
tl;drClubhouse Games is a family-friendly Compilation of 51 various games (plus a piano toy software) ranging from time-honored classic card and board games to simple sports and arcade games. While most of the individual games are pretty feature-poor, there is a massive amount of content here, and most of it plays well and is excellently-presented. There are even a few delightful surprises here as well. Add in good local competitive play for two players and decent online play, and you have a superb game collection well worth owning. | ||
| Battleship | Turn-Based Strategy / Board Game | B |
tl;drBattleship is a digital version of the classic family-friendly 2-player board game, and it does a very good job of bringing that classic gameplay to the Nintendo Switch, with a good selection of multiplayer modes. It also has a Commanders mode that livens things up some. I wish this game was even more inventive with its departure from the classic formula, and in particular I wish the game’s single-player mode wasn’t a slog, but overall this is a solid version of the classic board game. | ||
| Pandemic | Turn-Based Strategy / Board Game | B |
tl;drPandemic is one of the finest cooperative board games ever made, and the Nintendo Switch version does a good job of bringing the fun of that game to the console. It’s not going to wow anyone with its features or presentation, but it does a good job of bringing the core gameplay to the Switch. | ||
| Armello | Board Game | B- |
tl;drArmello is a Board Game that has players as anthropomorphic animals in a medieval fantasy setting jockeying to take the place of a corrupted king. The presentation here is top-notch, and the gameplay is deep with a lot of ways to approach it, but the lack of local multiplayer and empty online servers really limit how much you’ll be able to enjoy this game. | ||
| Dots 8 | Board Game / Strategy | B- |
tl;drDots 8 is a family-friendly Board Game with Strategy elements with rules that are almost exactly like the classic game Go. There are some surprisingly good multiplayer options here, including 8-player pass-and-play gameplay sharing one controller or even just the touchscreen, however the game does not have computer-controlled opponents so there’s no single-player mode to speak of. Also, while the simple, relaxing presentation is nice, the competitive nature of this game feels like it would be better-suited to something more lively. Overall though, for its low price, this is a solid simple game to play in local multiplayer. | ||
| EcoGnomix | Board Game / Roguelike / Management Simulation | B- |
tl;drEcoGnomix is a game that combines Board Game, Roguelike, and Management Simulation elements in gameplay that’s primarily about sending small teams of gnomes into a mine to gather resources while fending off ravenous bats. There’s some really compelling and original gameplay here, but I feel like each of the main components of this game are flawed in some way, keeping the game from reaching its full potential. It’s still fun and original enough to be worth a look though, especially if you’re a fan of its individual genres. | ||
| Ludomania | Board Game | B- |
tl;drLudomania is a version of the classic Board Game Ludo, aka Parcheesi. While this game doesn’t do anything to truly elevate the board game, it has enough features and polish to be well worth the $4 price tag, at least for anyone who doesn’t want to spring for the full $40 to get Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. | ||
| Light Fingers | Board Game / Party Game / 3D Platformer | C+ |
tl;drLight Fingers is a game that combines elements of Board Games, Party Games, and Platformers, with players taking the role of a thief trying to prove his skills in a clockwork simulation. Unfortunately, while the Board Game and Party Game elements are solid (if a bit slow-paced), the Platforming is pretty bad. On balance, those looking for a unique Party Game may still want to give this a try, though. | ||
| Tactical Mind | Turn-Based Strategy / Board Game | C+ |
tl;drTactical Mind is a Turn-Based Strategy game in the style of a Board Game, where players gather energy from crystals and build up their pieces to attack the enemy’s crystal. It has a simple design that had a lot of potential to feel like a classic strategy game, but it’s marred by numerous design issues, from presentation problems to game balance issues. Some may still feel it’s worth the $3 price tag, but most will be better off saving that money for a better game. | ||
| Battle Sea | Board Game | C |
tl;drBattle Sea is a family-friendly game that’s clearly using the same sort of gameplay as in the classic Board Game Battleship. It works, but it doesn’t do anything to truly transform the original game, and it’s hard to recommend this game when the licensed release of Battleship on Nintendo Switch is better in multiple ways. I suppose if you’re looking for a less-expensive take on battleship, this will suffice, though at $8, “less expensive” is relative. | ||
| Catan | Turn-Based Strategy / Board Game | C |
tl;drCatan is a modern classic of a board game, and the Nintendo Switch version includes the Seafarers expansion and a nice campaign mode. Unfortunately, the game’s design means the only multiplayer is online. Also, the game’s controls are awkward, and the presentation is lacking. Given that a better console port was released to Xbox 360 over a decade ago, the Switch version of the game is severely disappointing. | ||
| Chameleon | Turn-Based Strategy / Board Game | C |
tl;drChameleon is a game that is part Board Game, part Turn-Based Strategy, with players expanding their territory by absorbing adjacent tiles of a selected color. It’s a decent concept, but the game is lacking features, and much of the strategy simply boils down to getting to the center of the map before your opponent. As a result, this game is fun for a bit, but lacks any real staying power. | ||
| Fantasy Checkers | Board Game | C |
tl;drFantasy Checkers is a nice-looking but somewhat feature-poor version of the family-friendly Board Game. Wait for it to go on sale if you want a decent but unspectacular budget version of Checkers. | ||
| Discmaster | Board Game / Card Game | C- |
tl;drDiscmaster is a game that combines Card Game and Board Game elements, updating the classic game of Tic-Tac-Toe with fantasy characters with pieces that attack each other on the game board. This is conceptually an excellent idea, but the execution here is terrible, not only failing to build on that core idea, but surrounding it with poor game design and terrible controls. This really had potential to be something great, but as-is, it’s just a waste. | ||
| Ludo XXL | Board Game | C- |
tl;drLudo XXL is a version of the classic Board Game Ludo, aka Parcheesi. This release of the game includes a nice variety of options, but the pace is dreadfully slow, and the $20 price tag seems absurdly high for a game that can easily be obtained cheaper elsewhere. Unless you are a huge fan of this particular game, don’t buy this version of it. | ||
| Carcassonne | Turn-Based Strategy / Board Game | D |
tl;drCarcassonne is a superb board game, but the Nintendo Switch version is buggy, sloppily-made, and riddled with problems. If you want to play this game on the console, get the excellent Xbox version. But skip the Switch version even if you don’t have an Xbox – it’s terrible. | ||
| Cats Baseball | Board Game / Sports (Baseball) | D |
tl;drCats Baseball is a Baseball-themed Board Game (or more accurately, Dice Game), where the pitcher and batter compete to out-predict each others’ moves. Unfortunately, this amounts to little more than a random game of paper-rock-scissors, with more randomness tossed in as the winner rolls a die that can randomly negate that win. Add in an unnecessary, disposable story about cat-people in a Hunger Games-inspired baseball-driven dystopia, and it’s clear that Cats Baseball had no coherent vision from the start. Don’t bother with this. | ||
| Please the Gods | Board Game | D |
tl;drPlease the Gods is a Board Game masquerading as both a Card Game and an RPG, but really the focus here is on dice rolls, and mitigating good or bad rolls by using different options represented by cards. However, regardless of what type of game you wanted here, Please the Gods is a tedious, depressing experience. Its morose tone and poorly-explained mechanics make it a hard game to get into, and the huge role luck plays in the gameplay means that even once you get into it you’re unlikely to find much enjoyment in it. Skip this one. | ||
| Battleground | Turn-Based Strategy / Board Game | D- |
tl;drBattleground is basically the classic Board Game Battleship, but with tanks instead of ships. However, the presentation is lacking, the localization is so bad it’s actively confusing, and the lack of information players are given seriously cripples the gameplay. If you want Battleship, just get Battleship, don’t bother with this. | ||
| Guess the Character | Board Game | D- |
tl;drGuess the Character is a Board Game that plays like a knock-off version of Guess Who. However, players don’t get to choose their questions, and elimination of characters is automatic, removing the majority of choice and interaction the original game had. The result is a boring, pointless game. | ||
| Please Teach Me Onedari Shogi | Board Game | N/A (F) |
tl;drPlease Teach Me Onedari Shogi is a game that purports to teach players how to play the classic Japanese Board Game of Shogi by enticing players to succeed with photos of attractive Japanese women in increasingly revealing photos. However, unless you actually read Japanese, this game is nothing more than a wasted purchase, as it does not have an English language setting. So if you only speak English, do not bother with this. | ||
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