Today's March novel coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantines. But those stuck at home won't be able to play it soon enough, as Clubhouse Games isn't launching until June.
A Nintendo-developed board game collection may seem like a weird move, but Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics is actually the second game in its franchise. Nintendo previously developed and published Clubhouse Games (also known as 42 All-Time Classics in Europe) for the Nintendo DS in 2006. It's not the most requested Nintendo franchise revival - certainly not Pikmin or Pokémon Snap - but it's a welcome addition to the Switch's library in this strange and scary time. Or, at least, it will be eventually.
In the Clubhouse Games reveal trailer, virtual sports like golf, bowling, darts, and fishing; tabletop games like billiards and air-hockey; and even classic, generic video games like battle tanks. Clubhouse looks to be a huge variety of virtual takes on beloved games, complete with local and limited online multiplayer, all for just $39.99.
In the time of the anti-coronavirus social distancing measures will need to continue for longer than five weeks in many parts of the world, even if official "shelter in place" periods end before then.
Switch owners may need to wait a month for Clubhouse Games, but that doesn't mean it hasn't already provided some Nintendo fans with a bit of comfort. In the reveal trailer's comments, many have pointed out Clubhouse Games feels like a cozy callback to the Wii era, complete with the seldom-used Mii avatars to represent players. In fact, it appears the concept of a Nintendo-developed, tablet-based board game collection may be a holdover from the Wii U. The first Wii U gameplay trailer (via official Nintendo products, including a short clip of two people playing a touch-based game of Go.
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics will release for Nintendo Switch on June 5, 2020.
