In recent years, board games have become more popular than ever.
For one reason or another, we’ve all been spending more time indoors, and that means finding new ways to entertain ourselves with our families and loved ones. And what better way to pass the time than a quick round of Catan or The Game of Life? While you can’t beat the real thing, sometimes you can’t be bothered to pull the game out and do all the setting up. Thankfully, there’s a range of digital board games on Switch that let you hit the ground running.
Sometimes, it’s much easier to just plug in your console and gather your family together around the television. Thanks to digital versions of board games, you can do that. Digital board games also allow you to play your favourite games with your friends and family online. It’s not always possible to be together, but thanks to these digital board games on Switch, you can still play together.
We’ve put together a list of our favourites so you know what to pick up on your next family game day. Read on to see the best digital board games on Switch.
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1. 51 Worldwide Games
Not just one digital board game but 51, 51 Worldwide Games is an essential Nintendo Switch game for those that love board games. The game is set up with tutorials to help players learn how to play each of the games, from chess to Chinese checkers to backgammon. Not only that, but its menus are very user-friendly.
What’s great about having such a variety of games from all around the world is that there’s sure to be something for everyone. And playing together couldn’t be easier. Games like backgammon and checkers can be played with just one Switch system with players sitting on either side of the screen. And others are easily played with two Switch consoles. We can’t recommend it more.
Read our review of 51 Worldwide Games
Buy 51 Worldwide Games on Amazon
2. Istanbul
In Istanbul, you play as a merchant and his assistants traveling through a bazaar trading goods to collect valuable rubies. During your turn you’ll perform a variety of actions; you’ll buy and sell items, free family members from jail, and gamble, amongst other things. The ultimate goal? To try and get closer to earning precious rubies.
The Switch version of Istanbul includes the ability to play single player against an AI if your family isn’t into it. The best feature, though, is the pass and play mode where you can play the game with your friends in one room using only one device. There’s also online play if your friends and family live too far away.
3. Evolution
Evolution is a digital board game that landed on PC back in 2019, and it’s since become available on Switch. In the game your goal is to breed species and evolve them, all while making sure they stay alive and are able to adapt to the world that’s out to kill them. The world is a dangerous place, you know.
What’s great about the Switch version of Evolution is that it has some awesome new features. Monthly multiplayer allows players to compete against other players all around the world. Playing against real players is extremely tough, though; they’re not quite as predictable as AI, but it’s the perfect way to hone your skills. The original board game is excellent, but it translates to a video game extremely well, making Evolution one of the best digital board games on Switch.
4. Wingspan
In Wingspan, you and your competitors play as bird enthusiasts who are attempting to attract the best, most exotic birds from around the world in order to bring them to your wildlife preserves. It might not sound like the most exciting game, but it doesn’t have to be. Wingspan is one of the best digital board games on Switch we’ve had the pleasure of playing.
It’s brilliantly laid back and once you get the hang of it, it gets really fun. A long tutorial helps you with that. The Switch version includes a single-player mode so you can play by yourself collecting birds while birdwatching in real life, but we highly recommend giving it a shot with friends or family.
5. Monopoly for Nintendo Switch
We couldn’t get to the end of a digital board game list without Monopoly sneaking its way on here, could we? Of course not. There’s a reason why there are hundreds of different interactions of this family board game. It’s popular, and that’s why it’s one of the best digital board games on Switch.
In Monopoly for Nintendo Switch, players jump around a 3D board collecting properties and building houses and hotels to try and bankrupt their fellow players. Being digital doesn’t make the game go by any faster though, so expect to still spend a good few hours in-game. But if you don’t own a physical copy of Monopoly or you just can’t be arsed to fiddle around with all the bits, you’ve got to pick this one up.
