Tabletop gaming is usually anything but portable, but the Nintendo Switch offers quite a few great digital board games that flip this notion on its head. Rewarding turn-based gameplay, in-depth deck building, and exciting strategic competitions are now all available on the go. Below you’ll find our picks for the best board games on Switch that you can dive into right now.
12. Steam: Rails to Riches
Steam: Rails to Riches is a great railroad board game that’s all about building a strong economic engine with locomotive ones. You’ll start the game by taking out a loan from the bank and linking cities with track tiles. Then, you can start moving resources between locations to turn a profit. This will eventually urbanize the smaller towns through which your railroad operates. There are six different maps to choose from, and the terrain will often alter your strategy. If you’re a fan of the Ticket to Ride theme but want a higher level of complexity, then this one’s a great pick.
11. CATAN: Console Edition
The digital version of CATAN deserves a place on this list because it’s a classic of the genre that’s familiar and comfortable to play. However, I’d only recommend picking it up if you’re planning to play either solo or on a single system, because the online multiplayer servers unfortunately shut down about two years ago. The A.I., however, works great for a solo session. If you’re going to play in person, then placing the pieces that box your friends and family out of entire sections of the board is still a grand old time.
10. Talisman
The epic quest for the Crown of Command in Talisman includes all the classic fantasy adventure and character tropes that tabletop gaming enthusiasts love. You can pick from one of sixteen different archetypical roles, hoard magic loot, and slay monsters. What more could you want? Well perhaps some friendlier dice rolls for starters. The Switch port includes three expansions as a part of the base game purchase, the most interesting of which is probably The City because its location feels distinct. The digital edition follows the rules and content additions of the physical version’s fourth edition.
9. Armello
The digital tabletop game Armello has incredibly rich original world that’s brought to life by solid strategy mechanics and gorgeous animal-themed artwork. The various factions spread across the land seek the power of the King, and can win the game by claiming his crown. To do so, they’ll need to send out their most daring heroes to conquer towns, complete quests, and battle the other factions. It’s worth noting, however, that turns can sometimes be a bit long. As a result, it’s best enjoyed alongside more experienced tabletop gamers.
8. Carcassonne
The medieval landscapes of the classic tile-laying game Carcassonne are fun and often amusing to build alongside friends. The original Switch release of the game did not offer online multiplayer, but the developer Twin Sails Interactive thankfully remedied this in November 2021. Several expansions were also added at this time to give the game further variability, including The Princess & The Dragon pack and Traders & Builders. Nowadays the current Switch edition of the game is surprisingly solid and works well for players of all ages.
7. The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game
The digital adaption of The Lord of the Rings LCG allows you to pair together Middle Earth’s most iconic heroes and pit them against three exciting story-driven campaigns that take place in the years between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. There are tons of deck building variations to experiment with, and each scenario places its own demands on the player’s cards. In one quest you might need more battle power to defeat the orcs. In another you might need higher willpower to ensure a successful journey through the Wilderland. Though it doesn’t quite have the physical edition’s complexity, this digital card game is still a great time.
6. Evolution Board Game
In the Evolution Board Game, you’re in charge of managing the development of an interesting new species as it fights for survival. In the early phase of the game, players compete for food by playing adaption cards that add features like fat tissue or a long neck to their species. When one or more of the species becomes a carnivore, the adaption process changes, and you’ll quickly want to grow some horns or learn how to climb trees in the hopes of staying alive. I’d personally recommend adding the Climate DLC to the game when buying because it greatly enriches the original game’s theme.
5. Slay the Spire
Though it was first a video game before becoming a board game, Slay the Spire is an excellent deck building experience that all tabletop fans will enjoy on their Nintendo Switch. Branching pathways, dungeon-crawler style loot, and a big mix of bosses keep things fresh every time you attempt an ascent. The game mechanics aren’t too difficult to grasp, but assembling your deck for maximum impact takes practice. There are four different playable characters, and each one starts with a few unique abilities in addition to the basic strike and defend cards.
4. Raiders of the North Sea
The Raiders of the North Sea board game has a great digital adaption for the Nintendo Switch that takes full advantage of the original’s fun viking theme. It’s primarily a worker placement game, though there are also a ton of other interesting things you can do when it’s your turn. These options include recruiting crew members, upgrading your longship, and launching raids. Sometimes it’s even beneficial to give your warriors a valorous death, because sending them to Valhalla can further increase your score. It’s easy to learn but there’s a ton of strategy involved. As an additional plus, the long setup times that plague the physical edition are of course mercifully absent.
3. Wingspan
Wingspan is a relaxing, medium complexity birding board game that absolutely everyone can enjoy. You’ll start the game by selecting a mix of cards and food tokens, which you can then use to add birds to your play mat. If you place your winged friends in the forest, they’ll make it easier to get more food. Add them to your water area and you’ll draw more cards; put them in your grasslands and you’ll lay more eggs. Finish end of round goals, complete bonus cards, and have the most points on the board by the end to claim victory.
2. Istanbul
The grand markets, crumbling courtyards, and smoke-filled gambling dens of Constantinople come to life in the digital port of Istanbul the board game. You are a merchant whose aim is to collect five gems before your rivals. To do so, you’ll need to send your team of assistants across the city map and give them tasks, such as picking up goods, trading, or breaking a family member out of jail. Then you’ll either need to rendezvous with them at the central fountain or pick them up where you left them. The arrangement of location tiles is random, which means the board looks completely different every time you play.
1. Root
The untamed wilderness of Root is full of fun battles, unpredictable alliances, and exciting twists of fate. The game is a completely different experience depending on the faction you’re playing, which gives it unparalleled replay value. The Marquise de Cat plays an aggressive war board game and builds workshops and lumber mills. The Woodland Alliance launches covert attacks on the Cat’s efforts, and the Vagabond goes on quests that cross through the chaos. Meanwhile, the Eyrie Dynasty employs a sequence of decrees enacted by its leader. The theme is gorgeous, the strategic complexity is high, and there are a ton of interesting DLC expansions to choose from as well. For all these reasons it sits at the top of our list.
