Look, it's not often like the Nintendo adverts when it comes to tabletop mode gaming on Nintendo Switch. We don't all have the photogenic smiles and make a racket playing in a trendy coffee shop, but there are times and games that really do suit a bit of tabletop play. Whether solo or with friends, there is certainly an appeal to breaking out that kickstand (or a decent third-party one) and jumping into a bit of gaming.
We've already done a best TATE mode games list, so only a couple of those will be picked here; the other selections range from ideal multiplayer games and one or two examples that are actually best played on a tabletop. So, let's get to it...
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics (Switch)
Compilation games like Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics always have a variety of hits and misses depending on your own personal taste, but there's a wide enough variety of board, card and action games here that you're sure to find a number that will appeal to you. Everything's presented with charm and warmth (terribly-written cutscenes aside) and there's an enormous amount of content on offer; the nature of its games make it a great candidate for sharing with others too, all you need is the system and its Joy-Con controllers.
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Arcade Archives Donkey Kong (Switch eShop)
This arcade-accurate release is tougher than the NES port, and it can get quite addictive as you seek to improve your high scores. Should the many re-releases of the NES version have failed to impressed, there's nothing here that will win you over, but for fans of the game this Arcade Archives release is something of an 'ultimate edition'. HAMSTER offers a variety of extras and customisations as normal, and it's fantastic in tabletop mode with the TATE option.
WarioWare: Get It Together! (Switch)
WarioWare: Get It Together! is a triumphant Switch debut for the subversive series that makes some daring changes to core gameplay, resulting in the best entry in the franchise to date. With a generous roster of playable characters, lots of solo and multiplayer modes to dig into, and stages that cleverly adapt to your choices on the fly, this is a superb compilation of hilarious microgames that delivers more ways to play than ever before. It's also great for dipping in with friends and family, with the colourful visuals fitting well if the TV isn't available and you just want to get into the action on a tabletop.
Snipperclips Plus: Cut it out, together! (Switch)
Snipperclips was a lovely launch game perfectly suited to puzzle-solving multiplayer, and in its Plus guise you get more content to enjoy. This is still not particularly suitable for solo play — though it's possible — but it's a game that is clear about its status as a multiplayer experience and a great showcase for tabletop mode with two players cracking off a Joy-Con each. When playing with friends and family it's still charming, humorous and also challenging, and the extra price for the DLC content is well worth the investment. As a definitive version of a high quality game this is worthy of any Switch collection.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers a huge amount of racing goodness right out of the box; a polished version of a Wii U entry that was only a proper Battle Mode away from being top of class. It's the definitive Mario Kart 8 experience, content-rich and a delightful feast of comedic, cartoonish karting action. It's a game that continually raises a smile and, occasionally, induces that trademark Mario Kart rage as shells strike and positions are lost. It's addictive and unifying, unfiltered fun that draws in anyone daring enough to take up the wheel. With varied control options, you may find yourself having a few impromptu races in tabletop when out and about.
![Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [Download Code - UK/EU]](https://images.nintendolife.com/products/25515/100x100.png)
DEEMO (Switch eShop)
Flyhigh Works’ Deemo is a fantastic rhythm game, with an incredible soundtrack, fun mechanics, and a surprisingly touching tale to tell. Its lovely art and piano focus give it a unique feel — without at all restricting its musical horizons — and excellent pacing and difficulty options make it accessible and fun for a wide range of skill levels. It's best enjoy flat on a table in portable mode with headphones, using the excellent touchscreen controls. Be sure to check out Deemo Reborn, too.
Chess Ultra (Switch eShop)
Chess Ultra is a visual treat and will also soothe you with pleasant music as you engage in a tough match. There are plenty of options and variety for online and offline matches, with the former being particularly enjoyable if you're able to get into a real-time contest. With Tournament options and some well constructed Challenges on board, along with Tutorials for newcomers, it ticks most boxes and offers a compelling, convenient alternative to the real thing when played in tabletop mode with a friend.
Ikaruga (Switch eShop)
Ikaruga is not so highly revered by chance, despite its near accidental creation. It is the result of a combination between an incredibly talented team making the most of excellent hardware, bringing in the unique double polarity gimmick that stealthy introduces puzzle solving mechanics into a bullet hell shmup. So it's no great surprise it not only remains an incredibly compelling experience, but also lands smoothly on top of our Switch shmup list. Beyond portability what truly drives this version above all others is the possibility of throwing a Joy-Con to a friend for a spot of co-op play anytime, anywhere in tabletop mode.
It really is the perfect shmup on the perfect system. The old king sits once again in its rightful throne atop the shmup mountain.
Pinball FX3 (Switch eShop)
Nintendo hardware has had its share of enjoyable pinball games in recent generations, and Pinball FX3 is right up there in terms of its available content. It's free to download and you get some free tables, then there are assorted sets to buy if you want to expand your virtual collection. With a mix of licensed tables and recreations of iconic classics, this combines excellent physics with some nice presentation and modes. Importantly it supports TATE mode, so propping your Switch on a stand (or very carefully with the kickstand on the OLED model) makes this a fun pinball experience.
Mario Party Superstars (Switch)
You have a couple of Mario Party options on the Switch, with Superstars being the most recent arrival. In this case it features a whole lot of classic boards and minigames that are still a hoot to this day. If you're of a certain age, especially, playing this with friends is sure to raise a smile. If reliving the retro goodness isn't your thing then Super Mario Party is also excellent, with both games having modes and options for quickfire tabletop sessions, as well.
Are any of your favourites missing from this list? It's an ever-evolving beast we'll add to periodically whenever a worthy game rears its head, so share your favourite recommendations in the comments section below.
This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, 'Walking Sims' And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.
Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!
If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.
Comments 19
I can vouch for Snipperclips, it was a forgotten gem.
Snipperclips. Every switch owner should own.
I’m just here to 3rd the Snipperclips recommendation. (Don’t think, or at least hope it’s not forgotten.) 👆
I'm giving Snipperclips a 4th credit.
fun for christmas
I guess I am 5th
Voez is my personal honorable mention here.
I would add games with bold color and simpler detail like the Curse of the Moon games, very manageable for tabletop play
Snipperclips for sure.
Also, Blizzard Arcade Collection, because Rock'n'Roll Racing's four player mode is too fun for words.
Snipperclips is amazing fun, highly recommend it
Thanks for the reminder that I need to go back and finish Snipperclips, even if I'm playing solo right now.
No love for 8 player Smash?
I would add Wargroove and the upcoming Advance Wars remake to the list. Perfect table-top strategy games with a lot of replay-ability and charm!
Does playing RE4 Wii edition on a WiiU Gamepad standing on the table, with Wii remote and nunchuck, count? I feel like it should. I mean, the Gamepad had a built in 'sensor bar'. Switch RE4 doesn't even have gyro 'pointer' controls.
Snipperclips is great. Wish it was a little longer tho. Me and my daughter blasted trough it. Bomberman is pretty good fun in table top. Can get a little hectic tho in 4 player but not having the screen split in to 4 helps alot tho.
Put me down for Snipperclips as well! LOL.
But also wanted to point out that it's not just "table-top" mode, it is also "car-ride" mode, or "take-the-Switch-to-a-friend's-house" mode.
We went for a ride, and my daughter played Unravel 2 with her Uncle while we drove.
And when she takes the Switch to a friend's house, no need to figure out how to hook it up to their TV. Just set up the Switch on the table, remove the controllers and you're good to go!
It is such a streamline and simple implementation, but it opens up and simplifies multi-player gaming so well.
I only really came into this article to talk up how much fun Mario Party Superstars is. It is much more difficult to win than in Super Mario Party, and a ton more crazy things happens in this one too compared to that one. I have been really enjoying it myself.
Is there any game that can't be played in tabletop mode? I think the aspect of having a symbol for Tate, or vertical mode, is of way more importance in the eShop and yet you can't search for games this way. Nintendo is dropping the ball here because this is an easy fix. This is a growing sector of games we are talking about without any recourse to find them easily. You really have to know what you are looking for to find it. Every Hamster produced game can utilize Tate mode. Capcom arcade collection has a large amount of Tate mode games. The FX3 Pinball app all use Tate mode. Then there are obscure titles like Downwell, Gunbarich, Groove Coaster, Disney Tsum Tsum Festival, Word Crush, and Sticky Monsters.
Anyways, as far as table-topp games are concerned, i usually use it with games with unique control schemes. I like Super Mario Galaxy here with aiming controls. Lanota is interesting because it can only be played un-Docked. Bit Trip Beat with its motion controls. Resident Evil Revelations which lets you "pump" a split Joy-Con to reload your shotgun. Chess games are nice this way too.
A second category of games I play in table-top mode are old school games. NES games, Sega Genesis Games and N64 games feel really cool playing in table-top mode but using an 8bit-Do controller instead. That Sin & Punishment cramps your hands playing with Joy-Cons. (Gave me 3DS flashbacks.)
I'm not usually a fan of videogame pinball, but Pinball FX3 really does a stellar job at recreating the feel of playing an actual arcade pinball cabinet. The cost of all the DLC can add up quickly, so choose carefully, but you have access to some of the best cabinets ever produced at a small fraction of the cost for actual cabinets.
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