Card games have delighted people for hundreds of years, transforming a simple item like paper into complex systems that test our minds and critical thinking skills. However, they do come with their own set of problems, as cards can be volatile and prone to getting lost or damaged.
Fortunately for Nintendo Switch fans, it is now possible to keep all of these games in one place on your console. Here are the best card games on the system.
shark card
Set in 18th century France, you’ll play as a young man who accompanies the shady Count of Saint-Germain across the country, learning card tricks along the way to trick the unsuspecting rich out of their money.
From simple hands to complete deck switching, you will not only have to perform a series of tasks to perform your trick, but you have to be quick about it as well. The slightest hint of hesitation can make your opponents suspicious, which could lead to your demise if you’re not careful.
Donate your winnings to the Resistance to change France forever. And be careful not to spill this wine!
Sound of Cards: Dragon Island’s Roar
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is a virtual tabletop RPG where everything is made of cards. The landscapes, player characters, and items in the shops are all made of cards, and they are all beautifully illustrated.
Battles take place on a velvet-lined tabletop, with potions, attacks, and special moves being cards whose damage output and effects are sometimes determined by the dice you roll. Explore humid caves and quaint cities and discover the very secret of the dragon that you and your party set out to slay.
Shovel Knight: The King of Cards
Shovel Knight: King of Cards is the fourth and final single player campaign in the Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove collection. For those who purchased the original Shovel Knight game, King of Cards is available for free once the game is updated. However, the campaign is also available for individual purchase if you are not interested in other games.
While this game is a platformer with blackjack built in, I highly recommend it for both sides. Before joining The Order of No Quarter, an arrogant King Knight sets out on a journey to be the best player on Earth, with the goal of building his deck and mastering Joustus.
Club Games: 51 World Classics
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics isn’t just one game, it’s 51! Among these titles, there are 11 card games: Hanafuda, Texas Hold ‘Em, Blackjack, Last Card, President, Sevens, Takoyaki, Speed, Matching, Pig’s Tail, and War.
You can play against CPUs, or through local and online multiplayer with others. For those who play at home with friends and family, only one copy of the game is required to play. Other players can participate in the event using the Guest Pass app, which is available to download for free. For some multiplayer games, one controller per person is required.
slay the spire
In this deck-building roguelike game, players test their wits as they craft selected cards that ultimately determine their fate. As with many roguelikes, death is not the end and only makes you stronger. Learn enemy attack patterns and select cards from your arsenal, expanding and forming your deck as you go.
Embark on a journey to the terracotta spire, with no two paths alike, as you experience different deck combinations and increasingly difficult challenges.
sojourner tags
Signs of the Sojourner is a unique game that features a visual novel and card-based elements. After your mother passed away, you decided to take over her caravan shop. However, you must travel far and wide to buy items for sale, and meet new people on the way.
Match character tokens with your domino-style chat partners to build a relationship with them and buy items for your mom’s caravan shop. The matching mechanics are surprisingly deep, with matching storyline and dialogue.
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
Set in the world of different Witcher games, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a card game that has a complex and exciting story. The gameplay is centered around the elements of the visual novel and is backed by an updated and improved version of Gwent, the card game that has captivated Witcher fans.
Don’t be fooled by the great art style – Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales makes players make tough decisions about their soldiers and alliances, testing their strategic skills to their limits.
UNO
You know it, love it, it’s the iconic UNO, where the name of the game is to lose all your cards! This classic card game makes you match numbers and colors to each other, using a wild card or two.
It’s easy to learn, but hard to master, and managing your cards will be a top priority. Play solo, locally and online with others for a satisfying experience. Above all, be sure to pay attention!
SteamWorld Mission: Hand of Gilgamech
SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech takes an RPG and fills it with action-packed cards. Build a deck, choose up to eight cards for each player, and manage each deck as you navigate hordes of enemies to fulfill your mission.
Set in the amazing world of Steampunk, SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech builds on the critically acclaimed SteamWorld series of games while breathing new life into it with new mechanics.
shuffle your library
Card games present their own unique challenge in that they test your cognitive skills rather than your button-pressing skills. Sliding in the flow as the cards appear on your screen is not only healing, it’s very satisfying.
My favorite of the bunch is Card Shark, where there’s nothing I enjoy more than building simple skills to pull off complex heists. The stakes are high and there is also a standing mode, for those who enjoy a challenge.
For platform game lovers, Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a joy to play. The King Knight, despite his huge armor, offers smooth movement in each level. The writing is witty and has made me laugh out loud a few times, Joustus is a deceptively simple game that has me scratching my head on multiple occasions.
If you’re looking for a bang for your buck, Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics offers over 10 card games to learn and master – and 40 more to boot! You’ll want to crack this at parties to challenge your friends or jump into an online multiplayer session to up the ante.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing card game or a high stakes RPG to test your wits, there’s more than enough to try it out on the Nintendo Switch.