Video games these days are capable of letting players go on more vast and detailed adventures and dive into more complex narratives than ever before, but sometimes people just want to take it easy and relax with a more laid-back experience. That’s something that the new minigame compilationClubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classicscan provide Switch owners with starting today.
Like the title spells out, the latest entry in Nintendo’s niche series boasts51 games from across the globefor players to enjoy alone or with friends. These include classic board and card games like Chess and Solitaire, obscure games like Shogi and President, and more video game-esque games like Fishing and Battle Tanks.
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All in all, it’s a robust package, and the reviews that have come out ahead of today’s launch seem to agree thatClubhouse Games(or51 Worldwide Gamesas it’s known in some regions) is a solid one too.
EGM(Mollie L. Patterson)
“No matter if you want something to help pass the time, are looking for new ways to connect with family and friends, or simply wish you could finally learn how to play those classic card and board games you’ve yet to try, Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics is a stellar collection that provides an extensive selection of games without ever feeling overwhelming.”
Score 10/10
Nintendo Insider(Ryan James)
“51 Worldwide Games is a brilliant collection of some of the best (and in some cases oldest) games out there. From cards to dominoes and boards to balls, you’ll find a varied mix both familiar and fresh all wrapped in a wonderfully clean and polished package. Much like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, 51 Worldwide Games is another one of those releases that can be enjoyed by anyone be they a gamer or not. It may not have the earth-shaking excitement of a new Mario or Metroid backing it, but it certainly delivers on the fun.”
Score 9/10
VentureBeat(Jeff Grubb)
“Clubhouse Games is the kind of game that actually makes a platform for me. The Switch wouldn’t be the Switch without Zelda and Mario, but this is the kind of release that fills out a library. Clubhouse Games is something that you will look back on years from now, and get to say, ‘oh, yeah — I love that game!’”
Score: 8.9/10
ComicBook(Christian Hoffer)
“Clubhouse Games looks good but lacks any real substance beyond its large catalog of games, many of which offer little more than the most basic of strategies. It’s as if Nintendo decided to collect free games put out for Windows 98 and then give them an HD render, offering some idle amusement.”
Score: 6/10
Eurogamer(Christian Donlan)
“Every now and then I get a reminder that video games are magic. And weirdly, this collection of things that pre-date video games has reminded me just how magical video games are. This is a history of the world, in part. It’s also a TARDIS of fun. It’s wonderful.”
Score: Unscored
The Verge(Andrew Webster)
“I’ve lost count of the number of games I’ve called ‘perfect for the Switch’ over the last three years. But even still, Clubhouse is ideally suited for the platform, more so than just about anything I’ve played. It has games you can enjoy by yourself or in groups, and experiences that are suited for both portable and TV play. It’s not a flashy system seller — but it’s a game I’ll always want to have with me, just in case.”
Although most critics seem to think this is a worthy addition to the Switch library, many interested gamers may still be turned off by the thought of spending $40 on a collection of minigames. Luckily, Nintendo has afree companion app forClubhouse Gamesthat, in addition to providing support for local multiplayer, comes with four single-player games, so players can try those out and see if they’re interested in the rest pain-free.
