Nintendo's 2020 has been rather chaotic. With countless stealth-drops, mixed messaging, and an uneven release calendar, this year has been tumultuous for the Nintendo Switch. Things did turn around come September with the announcement of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Monster Hunter Rise.
While this influx of content arguably salvaged the year, it led to some early 2020 games being forgotten. Among those is Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, which just might be Nintendo's 2020 hidden gem.
Accessible and Intuitive Design
Launching just a week after Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, Clubhouse Games was never set up to succeed in a major way. With an 82 on Metacritic and almost two million copies sold, it certainly made a splash, but its moment in the sun was short. It's easy to see why the game lost momentum between Xenoblade and Paper Mario: The Origami King, as Clubhouse is a compilation of real-world board and card games. In contrast to Nintendo's bold, imaginative experiences, a sleek and minimalist package with Chess, Checkers and Poker doesn't sound as engaging.
However, it's that simple presentation and concept that allows Clubhouse Games' intuitive elegance to shine. The game is a wonderfully accessible, pick-up-and-play collection. It assembles all these disparate experiences from Mancala to Blackjack under a clean and inviting presentation. Anyone can look through the selection of games and find a favorite, and the UI makes jumping into a game or learning its rules incredibly simple. Taking full advantage of the Switch's motion controls and touch screen, there is a lot of novelty packed into Clubhouse Games too.
In many respects, Clubhouse Games feels like a Wii-era release. This shouldn't bee too surprising, as it is the sequel to the original Nintendo DS Clubhouse Games. As such, the game brings the seventh-gen Nintendo sensibilities to the Switch. Anyone can enjoy Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, regardless of their skill for gaming. It has an intrinsic, accessible Nintendo charm. Like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, this is another example of Nintendo releasing software that widens the Switch's appeal to more casual audiences.
Multiplayer Excellence
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics succeeds in this respect even though it was largely overlooked. However, its most successful aspect is actually its online multiplayer. With more than 40 games having online support and a simple lobby system, this is an essential multiplayer release this year. So many people have been isolated from their loved ones due to the pandemic, and online multiplayer has been an excellent way to stay in touch.
However, not every multiplayer experience truly prioritizes personal connection. Games like Mario Kart are objective-focused, attention-demanding experiences. Often, a Mario Kart session becomes principally about winning the race, not spending time with the person you're playing with. From Call of Duty to Super Smash Bros., so many online games are about raw skill and victory.
Clubhouse Games is different. It's a slower, turn-based experience that prioritizes intimate multiplayer and conversation alongside its simple games. Plus, few things are more ubiquitous than Connect Four or Checkers -- truly anyone can play Clubhouse Games. It brings people together online in a casual, scalable manner that allows them to focus on those they are playing with. In 2020, that appeal cannot be overstated, and at a budget $40 price point, Clubhouse Games is an easy pick-up. The game may not be as glamorous as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but it's no less important.