Nintendo’s Switch is renowned for its versatility and its range of appealing software. Yet, one seemingly underused and underappreciated feature is its ability to play in “tabletop mode.” This is essentially a fusion of the handheld and home console experience, as gamers can prop the Switch upright by way of its kickstand and play with the separate Joy-Cons.

Some games take this functionality a step further by displaying a top-down perspective to emulate a board or tabletop game on a flat surface. This neat ability to turn the Switch into a portable TV screen or even a virtual game board remains fairly underused by players and studios alike.

Still, there are a number of great titles that can be enjoyed in this fashion. Furthermore, some games even excel when played this way.

10 Strikers 1945

Thanks to studio Zerodiv Inc., the classic arcade “shoot-’em-up” genre has been given new life on the Switch, with a reprisal of this hidden gem from 1995.

This delightful port of the Psikyo shooter allows Switch players to replicate that charming arcade experience with its support of a portrait layout (or “TATE” mode), which gives the player a vertical perspective when turning the Switch 90 degrees.

As one might expect, this fits the constantly-scrolling SHMUP like a glove and adds to that retro feel that Strikers 1945 already captures so well with its grueling difficulty and high score chasing. Assuming its short length and unforgiving gameplay isn’t a factor, this is an appealing WWII shooter that’s well worth giving a shot. Strikers 1945 is a great way to get use out of Switch’s tabletop feature.

9 Monopoly

There’s no shortage of variants to play when it comes to this entertaining board game, and this is the case with its video game versions as well. The capitalistic classic has seen releases on everything from the SNES to the Xbox to mobile devices. Still, it’s tough to find a better way to experience Monopoly digitally than this Switch rendition.

The game is as vibrant and appealing as ever on Nintendo’s console, and the variety of customizations and gameplay options ensures a smooth, intuitive experience for most everyone. Players can opt for the default style, which shows off a lavish, dynamic 3D game board. But one neat feature is the built-in tabletop mode, which shifts the perspective to a more classic top-down perspective, turning the game into a virtual Monopoly board.

8 Atari Flashback Classics

There’s much to appreciate about this gaming trip down memory lane, even for those who didn’t happen to grow up in the late ’70s or early ’80s. Not only is this Atari compilation totally packed with titles – 150 to be exact – but the arcade experience can be further enhanced by the supported TATE mode for certain games.

Specifically, Centipede, Fire Truck, Maze Invaders, Millipede, Monte Carlo, Soccer, Super Breakout, and Super Bug all allow for this top-down portrait perspective.

What’s more, the simplistic visuals and interface of most of these games make tabletop play on the relatively small Switch screen ideal. Players can gather around the screen and recreate their own mini-arcade experience with relative ease.

7 Overcooked 2

Overcooked captivated gamers with its thrilling co-op gameplay and fun, intuitive cooking mechanics. Released in 2018, the sequel adds even more juicy content to this meaty experience. It injects seamless online multiplayer along with a slew of new chefs, recipes, and crazy environmental factors.

The gameplay rides the line between depth and accessibility, allowing players to huddle around a single Switch screen and rustle up customer-requested treats with little sweat. Given its emphasis on communication and working together on one screen, Overcooked 2 shines as a solid couch co-op romp. It’s quite an enjoyable way to break the ice at parties.

6 Arms

This fighter comes out swinging with its innovative concepts and nuanced, intuitive motion controls. Players will have a blast pummeling their foes with a slew of colorful characters equipped with boxing gloves and extendable arms.

What’s great about playing Arms in tabletop mode is that the simple interface can be managed well with the Switch’s smaller screen, while players can still utilize the motion-based movements of the Joy-Cons.

Just be sure to keep a safe distance from your opponent when playing so as not to inadvertently sock them in real life.

5 Namco Museum

With this delightful Namco compilation, payers can revel in ’80s gaming nostalgia with hits like Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug – along with the underrated multiplayer romp, Pac-Man Vs. from 2003.

Not only this, but roughly half of the available titles support TATE mode, further adding to that early-’80s retro feel. Dig Dug particularly benefits from this extended vertical view.

Adding to the already addictive nature of some of these classics is the inclusion of online leaderboards and specialized challenges, incentivizing repeated play and high-score grinding.

4 Splatoon 2

Nintendo’s Splatoon games really hit the mark when it comes to that “easy to learn, tough to master” quality. The Switch sequel builds on the appealing foundation of the Wii U hit and fleshes things out with new stages and weapons, along with a more fully-realized campaign and online co-op.

The game’s core concepts – run around and splatter ink everywhere – proves fun and fairly simple even when playing at a fair distance from the Switch screen. Absolute precision isn’t typically needed, making Splatoon 2 an ideal tabletop shooter. The relatively basic control scheme makes using a single Joy-Con a cinch.

3 Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

Two delightful puzzlers come together in this robust multiplayer game, making for an endlessly fun party romp. Given the overlap of Puyo Puyo and Tetris’ concepts – stacking and eliminating blocks – this fusion of puzzle games makes for a satisfying fit.

At the same time, each game offers its own unique flair, keeping the experience varied and fresh. Between the feverishly addictive online gameplay and the RPG-esque campaign, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is bursting at the seams with fun content. The newly-added Skill battle adds yet another dimension, incorporating character-based skills and items which can alter gameplay.

Like its predecessor, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 really shines in its local multiplayer options – which can be played effectively in tabletop mode thanks to the simple interface and colorful, vibrant visuals that pop.

2 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

This iconic racer bears many qualities for a great tabletop romp, including brilliant, colorful visuals, palatable driving mechanics, and, most importantly, enjoyable local multiplayer.

Players can huddle around the screen and enjoy zipping across dozens of delightful tracks from the Mario universe or clash head-to-head in a thrilling Battle romp. This enhanced version of Mario Kart 8 ensures players will be having fun for countless hours on end, with tons of gameplay options and the inclusions of all DLC content. This exhilarating kart racer can surely help rev up any party.

1 Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

Much like how Clubhouse Games quietly became a multiplayer hit for DS, its successor on Switch also made a name for itself for its social gaming options.

NDCube offers a smorgasbord of iconic card, board, and mini-games, along with bite-sized sporting romps. Games include Tanks, Dominoes, Chess, Billiards, variants of Solitaire, and even some more obscure (but no less enjoyable) entries like the marble game Mancala.

Some of these can be played from a flat, top-down perspective and through simple touch-based movement, turning the Switch into a virtual, multi-purpose game board. A few even come with the 4-player “Mosaic Mode,” which allows for four Switch screens to be combined for an epic tabletop experience.